Page 35 - Enews June 2020 Edition

2. Turn off notifications

Prevent distracting pop-ups either by shutting down extraneous applications

or turning on "Do Not Disturb" if you're running MacOS. While you may think
you're able to just ignore them, notifications are specifically designed to

disrupt your attention. Worse, if you're screen sharing, you probably don't

want everyone to see that your partner is on their way to the grocery store

when you are presenting quarterly sales figures.

3. Look at camera, not screen, when talking

While this takes some practice, seasoned professionals who do a lot of web

conference calls make a point to look at their webcam when speaking or

listening to a specific person on the call rather than looking at their video

image. While looking at someone's image is perfectly natural (what we do in

person), looking instead at your camera gives will make it seem like you're
looking directly at them, which creates a stronger connection. While subtle, it

feels different.

4. Avoid multitasking

As tempting as it may be to respond to emails or browse through your
Instagram feed while on a virtual meeting (no one will notice, right??), avoid

doing it. Even if you're a master multitasker, anything you do that isn't related

to the meeting itself will prevent you from fully participating and absorbing

the content. I understand that being fully present in every single meeting is

difficult, especially those you feel aren't necessary. However, for those
meetings that truly matter, you should force yourself to focus on what's being

said, as if you were there in person.