Curious Coaching reposted this
Guiding curious minds like yours to explore new ways of working. Holding space so that you can discover what being neurodivergent means to you.
I’ve decided… We should just ban meetings that are longer than an hour. The average amount of time people can concentrate on something is 20 minutes. Everyone, not just neurodivergent folks. 20 minutes of productive, creative time and then most people start to struggle. If you insist on longer meetings then make these adjustments: 1. Have a clear agenda for how the time will be spent. This requires a bit of effort, but you may realise that you don’t actually need as long a meeting as you think. 2. Schedule regular breaks. A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes per 20 minutes of meeting. For example - if you’re going for 40 minutes straight, then give everyone 10 minutes break. 3. Tell people in advance if they will be asked to contribute, listen, or both. If it’s listening only (like a company all hands) then allow people to join whilst they are out walking. 4. Vary how you are delivering the information. Are we not over death by PowerPoint yet?! Think quizzes, questions, ideas generation on whiteboards… 5. Allow people to engage in ways that work for them. Encourage all body listening - people don’t have to be looking at you and sitting still to pay attention. Moving around is fine, as is jotting ideas down to email you about after. If can’t control how meetings are run here are some things you could try to mitigate. Online meetings: 🌻 have your camera off, connect with Bluetooth headphones and move around 🌻 try out a standing desk with a rocking footrest or a mini treadmill 🌻 use Otter.ai or similar to transcribe the call and capture notes for those moments when your attention drifts 🌻 have a list of side quest tasks you can easily complete during the call - variety is key 🌻 take the meeting on a walk with you. Explain that this is what you are doing and that you will unmute to contribute In person meetings (admittedly trickier): 🌻 block out time either side of the big meeting to recover and/or do focussed work 🌻 take notes in a more graphical way. Use those awesome doodling skills to draw diagrams or illustrations that summarise the meeting 🌻 take in snacks/drinks and use the socially accepted toilet break to get some space 🌻 alternate between sitting and standing. You can say that your body gets sore after sitting too long 🌻 use highlighters, sticky notes etc to inject some colour and much needed stimulation For all of the above, I am assuming you have not disclosed your neurodivergence. —— How I can help: 1. Work with you to discover what support you need and how to ask for it, and get it. 2. Speak to your company about ways to make their meetings and training more inclusive. If you’re curious you can reach me in a few different ways… - message me on here - email hello@curious-coaching.co.uk - comment below —— #Neurodivergent #ADHD #DEI #Accessibility #Productivity P.S. for everyone who’s just survived one of those big Monday calls, take some time for yourself.
Completely agree - Long meetings are tough unless it's interactive i.e. breakout sessions and other activities. If I am expected to sit there for an hour+ then you'll lose me for 60% of the meeting probably 🫠
Great post about how to survive long meetings Lauren Dawson, PhD. I think we need to talk more about meetings, not just how to make them better (agenda, expected input - yes please), how to look after our bodies during them but also when/how to schedule them (1pm - no thanks, I believe in long breaks and eating away from my desk) I'd love to know of workplaces that have implemented good meeting policies. E.g 50mins and 25mins, none on Wednesdays, agenda and why you have been invited etc. Have you come across any?
These are all great. Every single one applies to teaching as well (both in person and virtual). If you had to recommend just one adjustment to implement in the next meeting (or class session), which one would you start with?
While we are it can we also ban discussion/decision meetings with over 5 people in them 🫣
Meetings over an hour can drain productivity. Focus on shorter, structured sessions with breaks for better engagement.
It’s always been challlening for me. I’ve had a few “hacks” like not bringing my laptop and leaving my phone in my pocket. I also would have to sit in the front, where the main speaker person is, so I could force myself better into not drifting away. However, to be perfectly honest, no hack in the world will keep me from drifting off. My ADHD brain will only stay in hyperfocus if the topic and speaker are interesting, and that’s rarely the case with meetings.
Nothing to add other than YES!!!!! I'm ND but I think the rule applies to all, as you suggest. If a meeting needs more than an hour it is some sort of event—like a planning event or something like that, which requires food, breaks, different types of activity etc... Love this post. Thank you for sharing.
Guiding curious minds like yours to explore new ways of working. Holding space so that you can discover what being neurodivergent means to you.
1moHow do other people manage these epic meetings?