How to Defeat Zoom Fatigue

20 Aug How to Defeat Zoom Fatigue

If you are finding difficulty navigating your back to back Zoom meetings, welcome to the club. Your exhaustion likely comes from a variety of sources. Whether it’s from hushing your loved ones when you post your “Do Not Disturb Sign” at your home office. It could be your eyes are growing weary from all  the screen time. Possibly it is simply that you miss seeing your colleagues face–to–face rather than face-to-screen. Regardless of how taxing virtual communication may be, it is not likely to go away anytime soon. However, it does not have to be as difficult as you may be making it. The following is a curated list to help ease your “Zoom Fatigue.” 

Avoid Multitasking   

We have all done it and as a result many of us are guilty of not being fully present in our virtual meetings. Multi-tasking becomes habitual as we send a text to a friend or work on an unrelated project during a mandatory meeting. While it is easy to think “I can kill two birds with one stone”, research shows that multitasking compromises performance. Quantitatively speaking you may be productive, but the quality of the output suffers.  It is hard (nearly impossible) for you to communicate fully with your audience while trying to juggle something else. When communicating, your audience deserves your full attention -it is the only way for you to truly connect. In order to avoid lack of performance, it is important to stay present. The next time you are on a call, put away your phone, close all the other tabs on your computer, and remind yourself that every other unrelated task can wait. Be sure to listen and communicate with intent.  

Can It Be Sent In An Email? 

Have you ever attended a virtual meeting, and thought, “this could have been an email?” Check to see if the content of the meeting could be as effectively delivered in an email or a chat message. Written communication is effective when done right. Remember to be concise and congruent when speaking to others.   

Include Breaks 

Virtual communication takes a lot out of you. That’s because the amount of energy necessary to remain alert and attentive during virtual meetings must be increased when you’re face-to-screen. If you’re faced with a lot of back–to–back video calls every day, be sure to include 15-20-minute breaks between calls. It is crucial for you to take time for yourself to recuperate and avoid burnout.  

The virtual work world has been an adjustment for all of us. However, taking action to accommodate and prioritize your own well–being will help both you and your team be the best virtual communicators you can be. The goal is to be effective and authentic in every communication situation. 

Have you checked out our whitepaper on Bridging the Virtual Gap? Request your copy today!