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Just2EZ
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Posts: 764
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#1 · Posted on 8 Jan 2011 08:48
No joke, I have a fear of telephones.
It all started in Death Valley in 1975.
My wife to be and I got transferred from Grand Canyon to Death Valley on Christmas eve.
I was working the swithcboard at Furnace Creek Ranch Christmas morning.
The very first phone call I got was from my girlfriend's sister saying her mother died.
If that wasn't bad enough, the switchboard had pull cords to connect calls.
It took 2 cords, one to each party. Problem was...
There was only 4 pairs of cords and 220 extensions due to expansion.
So, we had a housekeeper who was overworked from all the new rooms.
Every morning around 6am the fire alarm would go off in one of the lodges.
All the phones would light up the switchboard at once for me to answer, "No Fire!".
It took 2 weeks to catch the housekeeper holding a lighter under a sensor.
I used to have nightmares of getting tangled in the phone cords.
To this day when a phone rings I tend to run the other way.
That's 35 years of unresolved fear.
Don't call me, and I won't call you.
Just kidding, call me anytime. I won't answer.
Actually, I spent over 30 years providing tech support via phone.
That's why I fear hearing the phone ring now, it's usually "Help!".
eMail is my preferred method of communication these days.
How about you? Do you like to "chat" or in writing?
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Just2EZ
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Posts: 764
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#2 · Posted on 8 Jan 2011 14:38
My oldest son does tech support for the county EMS system,
while I still get calls for 20th century phone system repairs.
All the new equipment is VOIP with in car computers.
He gets a call on his Droid and just logs in to fix it,
while I have to travel and replace circuit boards.
Maybe it's time I joined the 21st century?
Nah, I cherish peace and quiet.
My kids live on their phones.
I do get excited about cell phone pics of my grandkids and talking to them.
Thankfully I have distinctive ringing set up for them.
No scary bells to remind me of the old days.
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A8ch
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 947
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#3 · Posted on 8 Jan 2011 14:41
Just2EZ: All the new equipment is VOIP with in car computers. He gets a call on his Droid and just logs in to fix it, while I have to travel and replace circuit boards.
What a difference a generation makes! 
Hermas
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talfighel
Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Posts: 1214
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#4 · Posted on 9 Jan 2011 10:48
The best way to beat your fear is to take action anyway.
If you think about your fear and don't do anything, it becomes BIGGER and looks more scary. If you just take the first step of picking up the phone, your fear will somehow will go away.
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Just2EZ
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Posts: 764
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#5 · Posted on 9 Jan 2011 12:53
talfighel: The best way to beat your fear is to take action anyway.
Thanks tal, nothing like using my own words against me, lol.
The following is an exceprt from an old post on my blog,
I wrote it to remind me.
Fight Fear with FEAR
It's easier to overcome your fears if you think of FEAR as a Positive acronym,
Faith
Enthusiasm
Action
Results
Faith - Believe that You were Inspired to do something for a reason
The only way to FAIL is to QUIT or never try
Enthusiasm - It's hard to have Enthusiasm without having Faith
Faith you were Inspired for a reason helps build Enthusiasm
Action � Enthusiastic Action overcomes Fear, aka False Evidence Appearing Real
Action is taking an Enthusiastic Leap of Faith knowing you cannot fail unless you quit
Results � Results come from taking Action because you had Faith & Enthusiasm
Once you have results you can learn from them and take new and better actions
Guess I deserved that!
In Joy,
jimmy
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A8ch
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 947
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#6 · Posted on 9 Jan 2011 13:20
Hey Jimmy!
Ever thought of writing a book?
You are brimming with experience and inspirational wisdom and there are loads of people starving for just that kind of knowledge, guidance and insight. Seems to me the ingredients are ripe for creating the ideal win-win situation, don't you think?
Hermas
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Just2EZ
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Posts: 764
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#7 · Posted on 9 Jan 2011 19:54
Wow Hermas, rarely have I been left speechless for so many hours, or even a minute.
I am humbled by the compliment, so much so I had to take a walk.
Wouldn't want it going to my head, it's big enough already.
A8ch: Ever thought of writing a book?
Uh, only since 1966 when the Beatles released "Paperback Writer", lol.
But I'm just a dreamer and a thinker, not a doer. I am just too lazy.
Besides, most of my knowledge comes from my love of reading, not writing.
It would be hard for me not to plagiarize some one else's work unknowingly.
Writing a book is a lot of work according to those I know who have done it.
I grew up with a guy who kept a diary and got teased a lot about it.
His publishing company was featured in Huffington Post a few weeks ago.
I have several friends who are successful authors and work hard at it.
Living in the shadows of the rich and famous for so long tempers my actions.
I have always preferred to enjoy privacy and living out of the limelight.
Maybe it's time to quit hiding under a rock and let my light shine?
It's not my light but the light of the Creator that shines through.
Can I use a pen name?
Anonymous
Thanks, "I'll sleep on it" as my grandpa used to say.
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Just2EZ
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Posts: 764
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#8 · Posted on 3 Jul 2011 00:33
It's comforting to know this poll is 2/3 in favor of some phone quiet time.
Maybe that is just a reflection of the age group most dominate on this forum.
Looking at some stats a while back it said this forum was the old folks home.
Average user age per Alexa was 45-60, or something like that, and educated.
If I put the poll on my kids' facebook it would probably be 2/3 for chatting.
I don't mind texting, it's like email - on my schedule when I get a round tuit.
"Please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."
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FreeCashMan
Forums Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 1134
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#9 · Posted on 4 Jul 2011 13:09
Overcoming phone challenges fears is essential. In this virtual world very often people just want to speak to a live person and now that they will have someone they can reach and get answers from.
It amazes me the number of people that don't list a phone number in their contact info, and only an email. Voice mail numbers are free and with Google voice one can actually make free phone calls, USA.
Your top income earners in home business networking opportunities make big money because they get on the phone.
Becoming successful working from home is very often about overcoming challenges. The difference between the winners and the losers are those that overcome the fears and do what it takes to win.
So take that phone call, or make that phone call!
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Sum Yung Ho
Forums Member
Joined: 17 Jun 2012
Posts: 25
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#10 · Posted on 4 Jul 2012 18:40
Hi EZ,
Scary fear story - I feel for you!
I don't actually fear calls. But I don't like getting certain types of calls such as cold sales calls.
If I don't recognize the number on caller ID, then I don't answer.
I don't let phones disturb my sleep because I turn the ringer off at night.
I pity anyone who fears for their children so much that they leave the ringer on and get their sleep disrupted on a regular basis by pretty much everyone BESIDES their own children.
Some people worry too much and let it ruin their life! Good sleep is critical and who wants annoying phone calls in the middle of the night, lol.
Sum Yung Ho!
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