How do you stay attentive at meetings?

Question

I really need help. I tend to drift off mentally and look at peoples facial features, clothes, whats happening outside the meeting room, etc. How do I stay in tune at the meeting?

Answer 1

There is a saying in business (regarding meetings): "none of us is as dumb as ALL of us".

Meetings are a waste of time/resources. Most of what's typically covered verbally is also contained in the "handout" packets that are given to all attendees, and most of the charts, graphs and reports are ALSO contained in the handouts.

If the meeting is a "touching base" sort of affair...where the boss meets with his (entire) staff...the individual department heads are just going to approach the boss separately afterward, to discuss their individual concerns.

As for keeping alert at meetings: well, a good way to start is to be thoroughly familiar with the outline of the meeting, before it begins. This way, you can daydream, doodle, think about dinner, etc. but if you're asked for your input, you can provide an insightful answer. Remember, the only person who's NOT dozing off at meetings is the person who's doing all the talking.

Answer 2

There are tons of classical, "proper" answers to this question, but I'll just tell you some of the things I do:

1) Don't look at the time. If you look at your watch or the clock, the meeting will feel longer. Plus, if anyone sees you do it, it might seem disrespectful.
2) Take notes. Even if you don't care, it will keep you listening and force your body to move a bit.
3) Ask questions. When I ask a question and everyone looks at me, my pulse quickens, and I am suddenly *very* awake.
4) Doodle. Of course only do this if no one will catch you, or if you can do it and still look attentive.
5) Take a bathroom break. You might disrupt the meeting a bit, but it's probably better than nodding off, and you'll get the blood flowing through your legs again as you walk around before coming back.

Answer 3

You need to build your confidence. Know what the meeting is about before you go to the meeting. Think about what might happen what other might want to talk about during the meeting and make a note on what you can add. Really show yourself as somebody important and do contribute. The more you communicate and discuss things with other people, the more focus you will be. If you're not interested at all with any topics, that may be a sign that it's not the right job for you.

Answer 4

Go to more interesting meetings. Seriously if you were more interested in what was happening with the meeting then you would be more inclined to pay attention. Do you get an ample amount of time to give your input? That could also help. Could be the people you are meeting with are boring and monopolizing the agenda.

Answer 5

Sleep enough at night. Shower before going to work. Have some Coffee, and take notes, this will keep you listening to what is being said at the meeting. Also helps to retain the info writing it down.

Answer 6

I did this too! Take a notepad and write random things the boss/speaker is saying into the notepad.
-You can even scribble and doodle while writing these random notes.
-This allows all around you to think you are listening diligently.

Answer 7

Do some homework about attending the meeting. Get reference from library. Hope it will help.

Answer 8

Take notes, keep looking at the speaker and do not let your self get distracted. Try to think of good questions to ask (you don't actually have to ask them) but it could keep you focused.

Answer 9

tough one-but what helps me is-thinking to myself i know i have to be here-so i at least want to get one thing out of it-that i can reuse at another time-conversation wise-health wise-etc--it's just a frame of mind-and you can achieve it -by mentally quizzing yourself afterwords-what did i learn? How will it benefit me? etc... i know it sounds like a lot of crap-but it works, if you give it a chance

Answer 10

take on interest in what the meeting is about and what you might be able to add