There are many ways to stay awake in a boring meeting, such as taking notes, working on craft projects, or consuming caffeine. Moving around or pinching oneself can also help.
Most people are stuck in a boring meeting at least once in their life: some put up with boring meetings on a weekly or even a daily basis. Luckily for anyone facing one of these endless ordeals trying to keep their eyes peeled, there are plenty of ways to stay awake in a boring meeting. Taking notes can help you pay attention, as can other activities that keep your hands busy. A cup of coffee or tea could help you stay awake, as well as find an opportunity to take a quick break and walk around for a few minutes.
One of the easiest ways to stay awake in a boring meeting is to volunteer to take notes. In essence, the act of writing down what is being said compels someone to pay attention and not fall asleep or daydream. Also, note-takers can get away with other actions more easily. If someone takes notes by hand, he may doodle, draw caricatures of colleagues, even though they shouldn’t be made public, or write letters and it looks like he’s just recording the minutes of the meeting. A clipboard using a laptop may be able to work on other documents at the same time, or even compose emails or browse the Internet, though she’ll need to make sure she’s not too obvious.
Depending on the formality of the meeting, a sleepy attendee might be able to work on craft projects. With the popularity of knitting skyrocketing, many people now consider it normal and acceptable to knit or crochet at a gathering. However, this may be more acceptable in a casual work environment or volunteer organization than a high-level board meeting. Some people have also been known to bring sewing or scrapbooking projects to meetings, which helps them stay awake, but can be distracting to others.
Caffeine has always been a popular method of staying awake, whether in a boring meeting or otherwise. Latte, mocha, espresso, and even water and caffeinated gum can make all the difference when it comes to staying awake or drifting off to sleep. The downside is that caffeine can make someone nervous, making it harder to pay attention or sit still. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy — even eating a snack — can help someone stay awake, just because of the action of chewing or sucking on something.
Sometimes people just need to move. Excusing yourself to use the bathroom or drinking a glass of water can do wonders for staying awake. While in the bathroom, a little cold water splashed on the face can revive. In addition to physical movement, pain can provide a way to stay awake. It may sound drastic, but pinching yourself can help you stay awake in a boring meeting.
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