How to Avoid Remote Meeting Fatigue
As remote working becomes the new normal, so is meeting with coworkers, subordinates, and clients through videoconferencing. The truth is, not everyone is accustomed to doing business with others through a screen yet.
Our eyes and minds can only do so much before becoming strained and stressed after staring into a backlit screen for several minutes. To avoid experiencing burnout from meeting remotely, here’s what a solopreneur should do.
1. Turn off camera feeds
Many faces compiled into one screen are too much for the brain and eyes to handle. During a videoconference meeting, instruct your subordinates to turn off all camera feeds including yours. Go for an audio call instead. This way everyone can focus on the meeting agenda.
2. Add buffers between meetings
Always take breaks especially when the meeting is scheduled or expected to take time. Let everyone relax their eyes and minds. An hour of break is good. You can suggest your team members to read their messages, stretch, or go for a short walk outside.
3. Create a meeting agenda beforehand
One reason that meetings don’t end fast is that everyone is not prepared. When scheduling a meeting, an agenda must be made before and should be shared with all the participants. And always choose to discuss issues that are of utmost importance and urgency.
4. Choose who to include in the meeting
Don’t include team members in the meeting if they’re not needed. Don’t invite subordinates who have proven to be distracting in previous meetings. Keep the meeting as small as possible for less stress. Invite managers only who you can assign to disseminate orders to others.
5. Limit meeting duration
A shorter meeting means better command retention. Your team members will also have more time to tend to their assigned work afterward. However, it’s unavoidable for a meeting to be lengthy. That’s why you should create an agenda first and focus on urgent and essential topics.
6. Choose the best time to hold a meeting
This depends on which hours you do your work. If you operate during the day, afternoon meetings will be the best because your energy won’t be drained early in the morning. In a nutshell, virtual meetings should be held before everyone clocks out for the day.
7. Eliminate distractions before starting a meeting
Your office should be free of loud noises, running children, a passing spouse, a cluttered desk, unnecessary browser tabs, and vibrating objects before the meeting starts. So inform your family to give you some quiet time. Put your phone on silent mode. Clean your desk.
Instruct your team to do the same as well.
8. Don’t multitask
When it’s virtual meeting time, don’t be typing on any office programs. Don’t munch on something. Eat during your break. Avoid standing to look for documents or office supplies. Everything you need for the meeting including your mind should be ready beforehand.
9. Meet only when necessary
As mentioned, only meet when there are important things that need to be taken care of ASAP. While it may be healthy to mingle with your team for workplace harmony, you should save that for after-work hours or on the weekends.
10. Make your meetings more flexible
You don’t necessarily need to hold a meeting where all managers should be present. You can also go for one-on-one video calls. Also, don’t forget to talk to your employees, colleagues, or clients about the best time to schedule a meeting. A schedule that’s only beneficial to you can be stressful for them.
In summary, avoiding remote meeting fatigue is about making meetings short, precise, small, and few. So remember to meet only when needed. Keep the meeting short. Invite a few people. Focus on the meeting by eliminating potential distractions before it starts. And reduce the need to meet as much as possible.
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