6 Tips to Beat Online Meeting Fatigue
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If you’ve ever felt exhausted after a long string of online virtual meetings, you’re not alone. “Zoom fatigue” is a real thing, and it’s been affecting many professionals who have switched to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Psychologists say there are a couple of reasons why we feel so energy-zapped after these online meetings. The anxieties we feel as a result of current events and quarantine can be pretty powerful, making us feel a bit more “on edge” these days. And despite the fact that many offices prefer video chats for the face-to-face interaction, the quality of those moments just can’t match the real thing. We get distracted by people’s backgrounds, Internet glitches and even our own faces on camera. Instead of fostering productivity, oftentimes these meetings just foster exhaustion!
To help you beat the fatigue that comes with consistent online meetings, here are a few tips.
- Turn off the camera. This will automatically reduce the stress that accompanies an online video call. Talk to your team about limiting the amount of video calls per week, and mixing it up with some voice-only meetings. You may even suggest some walking meetings, where the team is encouraged to walk and talk for that session.
- Cover up self-view. If the part of the meeting’s objective is to see everybody’s faces for the weekly check-in, consider covering up or removing your self-view box. Check your lighting and appearance ahead of time, then turn off your self-view feature or cover it up with a sticky note. You wouldn’t be able to watch yourself during an in-person meeting, so doing so during a virtual meeting will just increase stress!
- Leave gaps between meetings. This gives you time to refocus. If you need to keep meetings close together, consider pushing that 9:30 start to 9:45 to give yourself a few minutes for a mental reset. Use these gaps to take a walk, make coffee or whatever else you want to do on your break.
- Can this be an email? Always think before scheduling a meeting — especially on a busy day — if this interaction can happen via email or online chat. With levels of “Zoom fatigue” on the rise, nobody needs an unnecessary video meeting. Be intentional with your video calls so they are productive, concise and meaningful every time.
- Take handwritten notes. Have you been taking a lot of notes during your video meetings? Consider writing them down! Studies show that among students, taking notes by hand rather than digitally improves retention and reduces distractions. Video conferences are already distracting enough, so instead of rushing to type notes on your device, jot them down the old-fashioned way. You’ll retain more after the meeting and feel more focused.
- Focus on one thing at a time. Instead of returning emails, checking Facebook or looking for your next online purchase, remain present during your video calls. When you cut back on multitasking, you’ll get more out of the meeting and feel less drained after.
These six tips will help you clear your mind before, during and after your online video meetings so you can beat the “Zoom fatigue.” You got this!
We’re here for you! For more tips, inspiration and advice on how to navigate the real estate industry during these unprecedented times, visit the Buffini Bonus Resources for ideas.
