Are too many meetings getting in the way of your other meetings?
Microsoft's Human Factors Lab delved into the topic of meeting fatigue. The study, which looked at what was happening with people's
brainwaves, found that back-to-back meetings are exceptionally stressful and fatiguing for people. Back-to-back meetings decreased people's ability to focus and engage properly in later meetings and transitioning between meetings caused huge spikes in people's stress levels.
Although it's tempting to think that cramming all your meetings together is more efficient and
productive, the research clearly showed this is not the case. The simple solution is to make sure you schedule a minimum of 10-minute breaks between meetings to give your brain a chance to reset and recharge.
Even if it's only 10 minutes, make the most of those minutes. Get away from your computer if it's a virtual meeting, go for a quick lap around the office,
stretch, meditate, or throw paper wads at a coworker. (Okay, maybe not that last thing, although who knows, Josh probably deserved it? I mean, it IS Josh.)
And if it's a virtual meeting make sure you give your eyes a much-needed break by spending a few moments looking at something far away. This helps to refocus and calm the brain while reducing eye strain.
Mike's Fun at Work Tip
As a fun way of celebrating the diverse range of ages in your workplace, hold a theme day where everyone dresses in a style reflective of the year they were born. If you don't want to take it that far, then at least use this as a meeting opener and have everyone share (they can Google it if necessary) what they would most likely
wear to celebrate their birth year. And if people don't want to share their birth year just assign one for them based on your best guess - I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
Deep Thought of the Week
"I'm glad you're learning to laugh at yourself. That was kind of getting awkward for the rest of us!" (Source unknown)
Funny Business
As seen on a golf course sign:
YOU ARE 150 YARDS FROM CENTER OF GREEN
YOU ARE 175 YARDS FROM A $500 GLASS WINDOW
CHOOSE YOUR CLUB
CAREFULLY!
Cost-Saving Opportunities to Book Michael
Kelowna/Penticton: August
Banff/Calgary: August 20-29
Toronto: September 1-10
Edmonton: September 16
Singapore October 1-5
Winnipeg: October 22-24
Europe: Oct 30-November
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