Being Efficient Works Even With Your Loved Ones

Is it me or have you ever noticed resistance when you attempt to be as efficient as possible while on the telephone with someone you care about personally?

"Hi, this is Jared," I often say to my Mother upon connecting with her during our weekly phone call. I want to immediately clarify that it's me calling and jump to my second objective: determining whether or not it's a good time to talk.

"Is this is a good time to talk?," I may say. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

"Where are you?" She usually asks first upon realizing we are confirmed and prepared to catch up.

"San Diego," I sometimes say.

We catch up on her week or weekend and how she's been doing and then lead into the professional and financial aspects of my life. Next up, we chat about family members. Before ending the call, we say our goodbyes that are always topped with an "I love you," something, mind you, that I started doing with her last year - thanks to my step-father, Michael's, leadership.

I suppose I could initially say, "Hi Mom," and she would know it was me calling. How many people call her Mom? And of those three kiddies, how many sound like me?

So, what's my motivation?

Something magical happens when I'm on the phone - I am Mr. Business. No matter the person with whom I'm speaking, I transform from a laid back chap to "Professional Speaker."

Do I like having control? Absolutely. Maybe I'm conditioned by all those years of sales calls I've made (for the record: zero sales calls have been made). It's just my preference. It's what I like. It's what I, dare to say, love.

At the very least, let the record show that I no longer call my father by his first name. My sister is happy about that. I should probably call her.