That might seem to be a silly question when everyone you know has a cellphone, but those of us with ADHD often have trouble talking on the phone, especially when it’s a business type of call.

When you have ADHD, it can be hard to conduct a conversation, remember all of the things that you need to say or ask, think of the right words, and just stay on track with the other person. This is especially true when you are calling someone you don’t know about something that’s important to you.

Making an important phone call is often something we procrastinate about because we don’t know what to ask, we’re afraid that we will stumble over our words and look foolish, and we have a hard time following conversations sometimes.

Here are some tips that might help. I’ve used all of them.

• Write down what you want to say and the points that you want to make or the questions that you want to ask.
• Rehearse what you will say. I know that sounds weird, but I still do that. It helps.
• Have paper and pen with you to take notes. Just use the bottom of the page where you wrote out your script. I write down the phone number to call, the date, and the time. I also write down the person’s name as soon as they tell me. Then take your notes.
• Keep this paper in a place where you can find it. If you have a planner and it has a place for notes, that’s a good place. Or if you actually have a file with paperwork relating to this subject, keep it there. When my mom passed away, I got a spiral notebook and kept all of my notes in there relating to settling her affairs.
• During the conversation, make an effort to pay attention. Feel free to repeat things or rephrase them to make sure you understand. This is not the time to worry about interrupting.
• If you have trouble understanding the person you are speaking to, either ask to talk with someone else or say you will call back.
• Note any transfers that occur and don’t forget to write the new person’s name.
• Finally, don’t be afraid of seeming foolish. If you have a question that seems silly to you or have trouble articulating something, just do your best. Remember the person on the other end is just that: another person who makes mistakes too.

I hope these tips will help you to get over your fear of making phone calls and stop procrastinating.