Due to the ongoing pandemic this year many businesses and schools have switched over to virtual means of meetings and learning. This means for many people that they have to combine their work and home lives into one, which can be very challenging. During this working from home situation, it is important to stay focused and aware of what is going on in your meetings without the distractions of your personal life coming through. Here are some tips to help you stay focused and successful during Zoom meetings or Zoom class.
Isolate yourself
Seeing real people can be far more interesting than watching people on your screen, however that makes them much more likely to be a distraction. Try sitting in a quiet room away from any family members, roommates or others that could potentially take your attention away from your meeting. If you are in a loud setting maybe consider getting noise canceling headphones to block out any unnecessary noise.
Eliminate small distractions
Simply muting your cell phone or turning off the T.V. can make a big difference in how often you are looking away from your meeting. Fighting the urge to fall asleep can also be a distraction during a meeting, so taking the time to get out of bed and into a desk can help to focus on the task at hand.
Take notes
Have a notepad and pen on hand! Whether your meeting is school or job related, taking notes can help you stay focused on what is being discussed during the meeting. Taking brief notes about your zoom meeting can help refresh your memory after the zoom call is finished as well!
Prepare your work space
Take the time to prepare your workspace with everything you need before your meeting begins. This can prevent you from having to take away time and attention from your zoom meeting to grab a pen or notepad.
Be fully awake!
Wake up with plenty of time to get yourself ready for your meeting. Eating a good breakfast in the morning, or even just grabbing a coffee can help you stay focused. Also maintaining good lighting in the room you join your meeting in can help decrease the likelihood of you wanting to fall asleep or becoming drowsy on Zoom.
Take breaks
Many people are now experiencing what is called ‘Zoom Fatigue’, which comes with excessive amounts of staring at a screen. To combat this you should take breaks in between meetings and either take a walk, stretch or just relax. Give yourself time to switch between meetings and topics