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Many schools, companies, and other organisations have started remote education by moving their meetings from offline to online  since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the imposition of national lockdown. Attending meetings from home may appear to be a good option because it saves time and is more comfortable, but it is not as straightforward as it appears. Many people find it difficult to maintain the same degree of focus at home as they do in the office since it is simpler to become distracted at home. 

It is important to stay focused and avoid going off track in meetings. So how can you stay more focused while attending a virtual meeting? Here are 5 tips that will help you:

1. Eliminate Distractions 

If you were in a real meeting, would you be scrolling through your Twitter or Instagram feed? You should not be distracted just because you don’t have the camera on and your coworkers or clients can’t see you. Even if you’re paying attention in the meeting, you shouldn’t allow yourself to get distracted, and the most obvious distraction is social media. Furthermore, if you live with flatmates, it’s critical to set boundaries so that they don’t bother you. If you have pets, make sure that you are in a location away from them so that they don’t affect your meeting, it can be very unprofessional to have a partner or pet walk into the background of your meeting. 

2. Get in the Right Headspace

Virtual meetings differ from in-person meetings, but it does not mean they are necessarily inferior. The first and most crucial step in changing how you view virtual meetings is to adopt a positive perspective. You can also change your perspective on how much you can do in a single session. Cut your projected outcomes and productivity targets in half to be more realistic. Plan to achieve one or two of the four targeted goals in a virtual meeting  if you have four in person. In other words, keep only the most important outcomes and activities so that your program is as lean as possible.

3. Utilize the chat window

In a virtual session, utilize the chat section to minimize distractions and cutting of the speaker. Add notes, questions and information as needed. If you need to ask a question, make sure you wait for the person speaking to complete their point and then add your input. 

4. Take notes and doodle

If you take notes about the meeting, you will not only be able to go back to prior issues and recall what you and the other members discussed, but you will also be able to stay focused. Doodling has also been shown to aid in the visualization and retention of the information being given.

5. Before a meeting, stretch your body for a few minutes. 

Movement can help you relax your body and mind, making it simpler for you to concentrate on what is being discussed throughout the meeting. So, if you’re able, go for a quick walk around the apartment or perform a few jumping jacks to raise your heart rate. Our oxygen absorption increases when our heart rate rises, making it simpler for us to concentrate.

Every meeting should have a specific goal in mind. Keep in mind that there are other people in the virtual meeting session, and their time is as valuable as yours. It is inefficient to ask meeting participants to stay and listen to minor matters that do not affect them. Keep it brief or schedule a separate meeting with that person if there is something you need to discuss with one of your team members that does not affect the entire group.

Organize the discussion around the main points, the big picture, or potential roadblocks. If a Google search can solve a problem, it shouldn’t be on your meeting agenda.

About Jessica 

Jessica Dang has developed and delivered bestselling face-to-face; virtual and learning programs internationally. She was instrumental in building the largest ‘hands-on’ education company in Asia. Additionally, she has conceptualized and built leading education businesses, learning tools and software for clients. An innovative educator, Jessica has also developed and managed large scale, multi-location learning events and outreach programs for leading international organizations. She brings her super fun, trademark chaos & mayhem learning technique to all her programs.

Jessica is a Certified Workplace Learning Specialist, a Specialist Adult Educator and a Marshall Goldsmith Executive and Team Coach. www.jessicadang.com