If you’re experiencing a Zoom overload right now, you’re not alone.
If you’re like many Americans, you’ve been working from home since March. You’ve slowly adjusted to connecting virtually for everything workwise. At first, you may have experienced a learning curve as you navigated new virtual platforms and became comfortable hosting online meetings on platforms like Zoom. It may have seemed like a great way to connect with coworkers, clients, and customers without seeing them in-person.
And then the inevitable happened … you got ‘virtually burnt out’ by Zoom calls.
One virtual Zoom call after the next can be exhausting. You sit and stare at a group of individuals—trying to seem engaged in the conversation, clicking mute when it’s not your turn to talk, and trying not to zone-out when the conversation becomes lengthy.
To help make your online video calls a little less exhausting, try using some of these helpful tactics:
Shorten your Meetings
Take a look at your meetings lined up over the week. Ask yourself:
- Can this meeting be shortened from one hour to 30 minutes?
- Is this a conversation we can have over email or instant messenger?
- Does each meeting have an agenda outlined with actionable outcomes?
Give yourself some space to think through the purpose of and time investment for each of your meetings. Don’t be afraid to have an open conversation with your teammates to think through how each of you can better utilize your time—especially when it comes to time spent on online video calls.
Schedule Meeting-Free Breaks
Actively block off space on your calendar for worktime. Often when we leave our calendars wide open, with the intent of plowing through our mounting workload, our time gets chewed up by last-minute meetings. Take initiative and dedicate the time you need to get work done by scheduling nonnegotiable worktime.
Meditate and Exercise
Keeping a schedule for mindful meditation and exercise is incredibly important not only to your overall health but also to your attention span while working. Take a few minutes every hour or so to close your eyes and take deep breaths. Your mind will thank you for a quick ‘break’ to relax and rejuvenate.
Likewise, get active throughout the day. Maybe you wake up early to get a run in, take a lunchtime walk, or hit the gym in the evening. Whatever you prefer to do stay active—do it. Your mind and body will thank you.
Virtual meetings are essential during times like these, but be mindful of how they impact you and your work/life balance. Though they have been a great tool for us to use as we navigate working-from-home, reflect on and reevaluate how you use your time, which meetings are absolutely necessary and when you should take breaks for worktime, relaxation, and exercise.
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Derek Rundell, is a successful business leader, operator, and serial entrepreneur. Derek has founded, managed and sold businesses in the technology, media and finance industries. He sits on several boards and serves as an advisor/investor to numerous established businesses and startups. Startups are Derek’s real passion, and in addition to building his own portfolio of technology, media and financial ventures, he invests in and mentors startups and entrepreneurs. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and helping other businesses succeed.