Making phone calls - how to do it right, but not take too much time?

Question

I have aunts who I'd love to call on the phone.. However, I talk too long on the phone and so make the excuse each day that I don't have time to make these calls.

It's not just an excuse, tho. I do have alot to get down and it's easy to spend an hour on the phone with one person. I assume it's me, tho with some people (perhaps efficient friends who know me well) the conversations tend to end in a reasonable time (under 15 minutes.)

What skills can I learn for making good, connecting phone calls that leave neither party overwhelmed or undernourished? Is there basically a format or formula for doing this? I know there are people who stay in touch with many people by phone and these are people who get a lot done. What are their secrets? Do you touch certain topics always, do you limit yourself to a sentence or two, even for a good story? What is a good phone call story?
I have tried multiple headseats so that I could make calls while doing tasks, but no one I call likes them

Answer 1

=I feel that honesty is always the best policy so there is no need to make up excuses or play mind games especially with your aunts. I am sure they are unaware of how you feel so you need to tell them. They call you because they love you and enjoy the conversation. Start off by telling them that you need to share something with them that you have been keeping inside for a while and stress that you do not want to hurt their feelings or offend them. You are lucky to have so many that care about your welfare. God Bless

Answer 2

What works for me is to start off with saying, I really want to touch base with you, but only have 10 minutes (or I have a few more things that need to get done today/this afternoon/evening).
They'd be glad to at least hear you.

Definitely share a story, yours or theirs, as you usually do -
the idea is that the relationship has not changed, just the duration of the call. It can still be "quality" call.

I'd recommend against multitasking while on a call: it is disrespectful to not be giving your conversation partner full attention, better to make the call shorter.

Your aunts are lucky to have you - even with shorter phone calls. :)

Answer 3

In your head make a note of what you feel you really need to tell her, i.e. about your new hair cut. This way you will stick to the point if you find this doesn't help and you aunt get side tracked try makeing phone call in between things i.e. when you are waiting for you cake to cook, this way when it is cooked you can end the subject you are talking about and then go on to say well i have to clean up the kitchen now so talk to you next week. If that also fail try setting a timer with say 15 minutes on it when you are reaching the one to two minute left mark say goodbye. I hope this help because they helped me, i had the same problem also.