We're video conferencing ad nauseum these days. Your neck, back, shoulders, buttocks may pay the price for hours of endless sitting staring at the flashing screen images and voices. That's not all. Let's not forget the ability to focus. As the day wears on, focus dwindles. Anything that calls away our attention is fair game, including the 'Chat' option. If you normally struggle with distractability, then that ever flickering pop-up is a sure-fire way to lose the context of the presentation or dialogue.
- Are you distracted by the video conference ‘Chat’ option?
- Can you feel your focus drift away as the little number increases over the Chat icon?
- Do you read the conversations during presentations?
- Are you able to resist or do you succumb to fear of missing out (FOMO)?
Believe me, if you answered yes to one or more of those questions, you’re not alone. And for someone with ADHD tendencies who is highly self-aware of distractibility, the Chat button can be an absolute disaster for retaining focus during a virtual meeting as if enough distractions don’t already abound without chat. The cell phone, the dust and crumbs on the desk, the kids running around in the next room, the tv in the distance, and leaf blowers in your neighbor’s yard. Staying in the moment is exhausting.
- Have you ever asked a question that has already been addressed because your focus was elsewhere?
- Were you called upon but had no clue because your brain and eyes were otherwise occupied by the conversation threads running down the side of your screen?
Oh boy, that’s embarrassing particularly if your boss is running the meeting. A few days ago, I attended a rather large Zoom function. There must have been a total of 40+ messages or more. They popped up relentlessly. I tried my best to ignore them for quite some time. Another attendee, whose name was called several times by the host to share her views was unresponsive. Eventually she confessed that she was enrapt in the chat discussions. She had also completely lost track of the presentation material. That caused a loss of momentum in the presentation and the speaker lost track of her thoughts.
Likewise, it’s frustrating to spend beaucoup bucks on a seminar and walk away no wiser because your attention was hovering off to the side half the time.
How the heck does anyone maintain focus with all that going on? And whoever thought the Chat button was a good idea? By the time the meeting in the image below was finished, there were well over 150+ messages I would presume. I lost count, and occasional focus until I moved the chat view out of site.
Are you able to resist the lure of the chat button?
I must confess…I use the chat button occasionally. Although I try to use it mindfully. For example, during a recent meeting, the host hadn’t recognized that a key speaker hadn’t arrived. I would have been a logical candidate to step in. I alerted her with a private message to offer my assistance. She was thankful that I noticed, and fortunately, someone else was able to grab the reins.
As a frequent online presenter myself, there are times that I find the chat an unwelcome interruption. Is it that my topic is dull? The delivery is off? Or did someone have something valuable to add and others jumped on board? Regardless, attention has drifted including my own. Other times, I find it a handy tool for group conversations. It has a purpose when used intentionally and appropriately. I don’t think adding editorials for the sake of editorials are necessarily welcome. As a presenter, there is the option to disable chat in your settings.
Consider this…if the event is delivered in front of an in-person audience, would it be rude for attendees to engage in group discussions in the midst of the presentation? I’ve been at events where speakers have halted their talks until the audience was silent. At another event, the host called upon a talkative, rather full-volumed audience member to share with everyone else the urgent topic that couldn’t wait until the event was over or during a break between speakers. That rebuke may have embarrassed the attendee; however, how do you think the speaker felt? We all have questions or thoughts during a movie, play, presentation. An occasional near-silent whisper is one thing or a direct message to one Zoom attendee is more polite without distracting others especially the speaker unless side conversations are sanctioned prior.
This is not meant to be a judgment of the Chat icon, well it kind of is I suppose. Instead, let’s look at this realistically from the perspective of those with brain-based challenges. Those who, under normal circumstances, have difficulty focusing without the added distraction of chat bubbles filling the side of the screen.
Here are a few tips to try (I’ve done them on occasion myself to stay present).
Lower or raise the meeting screen (depending where your icon buttons are located) to hide the buttons so that they are no longer a visible temptation.
Set your Chat notifications to suit your preferences. Go to Settings. Select Chat. Select the option for pushing notifications to “Nothing” or to Private messages or mentions” only. Then unselect “Play sound when I receive a new message.” Then choose “Mute chat notifications while I am in a meeting or internal call”.
Keep the chat screen closed unless the host has instructed participants to be active in chat during the workshop or seminar. To keep the screen closed, avoid clicking on Chat or re-click on Chat to close an already open chat conversation. If the pop-ups bother you, open the chat screen. Once it’s off to the side, either move it so it is no longer visible or put something else in front of it such as part of another program (a non-distracting one that is…email isn’t probably the best option).
As a presenter, you can elect to disable chat during your talk. Login to Zoom. Go to Personal>Settings>Chat. Choose the settings that you prefer for group chat, private chat, etc.
Scan the chat conversations during breaks or between presenters.
Request a copy of the Chat transcript for review or to copy important information after the meeting.
Ask questions when the floor is opened for responses. Use the raised hand button or pose the question in chat at that time. If you need to signal a particular attendee, send them a private message via chat rather than engaging the entire audience.
Again, you may be invited to use the Chat option during the presentation. It’s up to your discretion to do so.
Kudos to speakers are greatly appreciated. I for one love them, at the right time. Let them know how much you learned or enjoyed what and how they shared. Waiting until they conclude their talk so that they have time to appreciate your thoughts makes it more special.
None of this may help to ease the pressure on your body parts or negate the endless online meetings. Adhering to these chat tips hopefully will allow your attention to stay present a little longer, avoid potential drifting-thought embarrassment, and allow you to get the most out of each session.
