SALES TIP #6
You hardly ever leave your desk chair, but you find that you are more tired at the end of your workday than you used to be. This is especially true when you’ve had a series of virtual meetings or virtual presentations throughout the day. The phrase “Zoom fatigue” has been coined to describe this phenomenon.
So why does this happen, how does this impact you, and what can you do about it?
Let’s FIRST look at why you are tired
Researchers who study human energy patterns have found that we are naturally more tired in the afternoon. In Why We Sleep, author Matthew Walker, PhD describes “the post-prandial alertness dip” as the dip in energy level and urge to nap between 1-3 pm every day of the week (including weekends). This energy dip is a part of our natural body rhythm, not just the result of a big lunch.
Adding to our natural fatigue are new factors introduced because of working from home and interacting with colleagues and clients through technology:
- We have combined our home life with our work life under one roof and keeping them separate yet balanced is taxing.
- Much of the way we communicate is non-verbal. This comes naturally during in-person meetings when the client is sitting at the table with us. But in a virtual meeting, we need to work much harder to read cues, which forces us to focus much more intently. This level of intense focus drains our energy.
- The need to sit upright and look straight ahead at our screen with sustained eye contact is tiring.
- Looking at ourselves on-screen is stressful for most people, making us hyper-aware of every misplaced hair, wrinkle, expression, and how it might be perceived.
- The constant fear that our technology may glitch also consumes valuable energy.
How this impacts your meetings
- Your clients are experiencing the same thing. When your client is tired going into a call, you will have to work much harder throughout the meeting to keep them engaged.
- Your message will need to be crystal clear and delivered with precision, so it is as easy as possible for them to absorb.
- When you are flat, due to fatigue, and your audience is listless, you are significantly reducing your chance of accomplishing your goal in the meeting.
What you can do to combat fatigue
When you know you have an important virtual meeting where the results matter:
- Try to schedule the meeting in the morning. Avoid 1-3 pm whenever possible.
- Give yourself a 30-minute break beforehand (no calls, no emails, no work).
- Use this time to do some form of quick physical activity to boost your energy. Exercise boosts endorphins (the “feel good” hormones) and increases oxygen flow to your brain.
- Go for a walk around the block.
- Walk up and down your stairs a few times.
- Stretch to reduce stiffness and improve your posture.
Any one or combination of these actions will help you feel less anxious, mentally sharp, and more confident going into the meeting.
We now understand just how different virtual meetings are from in-person meetings. By taking simple steps to combat fatigue, you will be setting yourself apart from your competitors and are much more likely to get the results you desire.