Sales call: how to prepare in 90 seconds
Sales calls and cold calls are full of small rejections. Call reluctance is common, even among good sales people. A short routine before you dial helps you sound relaxed, curious and confident.
What happens in your body and mind
Fear of rejection makes the voice tight and the pitch fast. A slow exhale relaxes the throat and the shoulders. Picturing a good call reminds your brain how it feels when a conversation goes well.
Your 90-second routine with Tom
1. Arrive, 30 seconds. Breathe with Tom: Inhale 4s · hold 4s · exhale 5s · hold 1s. The first half of the video plays while you breathe in, the second half while you breathe out. The FLOW line shows you when to breathe, and the music follows your breath.
2. Visualize, 45 seconds. Five short scenes walk you through the sales call:
- Picture the place where the sales call happens. Notice the light, the temperature, the sounds.
- See yourself arrive a few minutes early. Shoulders low. Breath slow and quiet.
- The first moment: you make eye contact and your first sentence comes out calm and clear.
- A hard question comes. You pause, exhale, and answer in your own words.
- See the end: you leave knowing you showed who you really are.
3. Anchor, 15 seconds. Press thumb and index finger together. Say quietly: “Ready.” Use the same gesture later, in the real moment, with one long exhale.
When to use it
- Before your first call of the day.
- Between calls after a rejection.
- Before an important closing call.
Tips for the sales call
- Picture the person on the other end as a normal person with a normal day.
- Plan your first question, not your whole pitch.
- After a no, breathe out and let it go before the next call.
Your coach: Tom from Cape Town
Specialized in outdoor adventure fitness, trail running, and functional fitness. Tom breathes with you at the pace of this routine. More about Tom
Prefer another coach for the sales call?
Why it works
Mental rehearsal, picturing a situation step by step before it happens, uses many of the same brain networks as the real action. Athletes, musicians and surgeons use it to prepare. Slow breathing with a longer exhale shifts the body towards its calming, parasympathetic side. AHΞHA puts both into one short routine you can repeat whenever you need it. Read the research.
Frequently asked questions
How do I overcome call reluctance?
Make the first call small and routine: 90 seconds of breathing and visualization, then dial right away. Starting is the hardest part.
How can I sound more confident on the phone?
Breathe low into the belly, smile while you speak and talk a little slower. A calm voice sounds confident.
Is the routine free?
Yes. This routine is free and works in your browser, without an account. With a free account you can choose any coach, situation and music, and share sessions with friends.
Can I get a reminder before the sales call?
Yes. Install AHΞHA on your phone and set your own reminder times. A push message starts the routine with one tap.
Related situations
AHΞHA is a breathing and mental-preparation tool. It does not diagnose or treat any condition. If anxiety, sleep or eating problems affect your daily life, please talk to a professional.