Drowsiness During Meetings...Who Else is Afflicted?

[Sporadicus]

The VP of my division holds a half-hour weekly meeting just before lunch, and I get drowsy about halfway through the ordeal. I haven't nodded off and started snoring yet (although one fellow HAS done that!), but my eyelids get very heavy and my eyes begin to cross. I've tried digging my thumbnails into my palm, biting my tongue, but nothing seems to help for more than five seconds or so.

Even though lots of other people nod off or appear ready to nod, I don't like to tip my hand to the VP of technology that I'm bored out of my gourd. I would appreciate any suggestions from you regarding how to seem more 'alert' during these meetings.

[sui generis]

1. take over

Can you moderate the meeting? Better yet, ask relevant questions about the goings on and write down the answers. It makes you come across as a bit of a busybody, but having real activity will keep you awake.

Even if you can't, then do some mental exercises to keep your interest focused:

1. Ask yourself if you really understand what the current speaker is discussing and what the context of the discussion is. Write down your guesses. Pick up clues from the conversation to see if you can build a clearer picture. Ask questions.

2. Ask yourself how what they are talking about will benefit the company's long term vision. Take an interest. If you are very junior, ask questions for clarification - it's better to ask a dumb question and get the right answer than to guess and guess wrong.

3. Ask yourself who is playing political games and who is really contributing. Get "into" the meeting.

Give it a try.

[Sporadicus]

8. I Give Presentations at These Meetings Occasionally

and that ensures no drowsiness...for ME. Unfortunately, I'm not asked to give a talk very often...out of sight, out of mind. I'm usually back in a lab, and my work doesn't usually require me to say anything to more than a couple of people in a typical day.

[DODI]

2. I bring my pad with me and make my To Do list in these types of

meetings -- it looks like you are taking copious notes and like you really care.

[Sporadicus]

6. Good Idea!

That would keep my mind occupied. I recall in college, however, that sometimes I would take notes while getting drowsy - only to read them later and find them incomprehensible.

[BOHICA06]

3. Fain back trouble and stand-up ....

besides the ask questions, take notes activities.

[Sporadicus]

12. I Did the 'Stand Up' Thing

when I was in classes during my time in the Navy. The unwary sometimes received a rude awakening from an instructor who would get in a dozing person's face and scream obscenities. It happened to me once...just once :scared:

[underpants]

4. Take this with you-be ready to yell BINGO!!

http://www.perkigoth.com/home/kermit/stuff/bullshitbingo/

[Longhorn]

7. How funny!

Thanks! :toast:

[Sporadicus]

9. I'll Check it Out Later

the 'net nanny' doesn't like streaming media :mad:

[underpants]

11. Here's another

http://elsmar.com/level2/Bingo.html

[Longhorn]

5. I'd arm myself with some Diet Coke!

Even cold water can help -- sipping it gives me something to do. I guess coffee could help but I'm not a coffee drinker.

If that didn't work, I'd bring my graphing calculator (okay, I'm a math teacher!) and I'd play games on it! :D

[Sporadicus]

10. Good Suggestion

I have typically refrained from beverages during these meetings, as they are just before lunch. I can get an early start on refreshment this way :-)

[Sporadicus]

13. Many Thanks to Everyone

I appreciate everyone's input, and I will put the suggestions into practice.

[Commendatori]

14. Suggestion for using the time wisely

Teach yourself a new skill.

Bring a notepad to the meetings and start writing out the alphabet from A-Z and the numbers from 0-99 with your opposite hand. Do it in every meeting, and aim to increase speed and neatness.I came up with this idea a few years ago and can now write with equal skill with either hand, printing or in cursive.

Last summer I broke my left forearm and wrist (I'm a lefty), and people who saw my cast and saw me write with my right hand made comments along the lines of "at least you didn't break the hand you write with." Well, actually, I did.

Doing this will make you look busy and teach you a fairly valuable skill. It will seem awkward and impossible at first, but stick with it, even if you have to resort to asking someone who uses the opposite hand to show you how he or she grips a pen.

Then, God forbid, if your primary writing hand gets hurt, you're ready for it - and you'll actually be glad you went to all those dull meetings :)

[Longhorn]

15. That reminds me of the movie "Groundhog Day"

when Bill Murray's character decides to start using his time productively by learning to play the piano and sculpt ice! I'll bet most of those meetings feel like replays of the same meeting over and over! :D

[Commendatori]

17. They ARE the same meeting over and over, and worse still,

they have a minimum time. In other words, if a full hour is slated and you finish your business in 20 minutes, it's up to you to bring up topics for the next 40, because you aren't going anywhere until the full slot is used up.

Of course, if a meeting goes BEYOND its scheduled time, that's perfectly all right. :puke:

[noonwitch]

16. I get drowsy at meetings or training sessions

And, if they turn the lights out for a movie or slide show, I'm out.