General Discussions

I hope this isn't too silly a question for this group, but I wanted to ask what you all do during meetings where you only need to half pay attention. I tend to stick to organizing files (tidying my desktop and download folder, mostly). What about you?

Regards,

Multitasking in Milwaukee

Some of the same types of electronic clean up you listed.

Sometimes I knit, as it uses the same brain space as doodling.  This means I can pay pretty good attention to the content of the meeting, even if boring.

PKT (Paid Knitting Time)

I hope this isn't too silly a question for this group, but I wanted to ask what you all do during meetings where you only need to half pay attention. I tend to stick to organizing files (tidying my desktop and download folder, mostly). What about you?

Regards,

Multitasking in Milwaukee

Hey, a fellow fiber artist!  I typically will work on a fiber project of some kind - crochet, embroidery, macramé, whatever I have going.  

I think it is interesting, albeit understanding, that there is a fear of talking about this openly.  The reality is that doodling, fidgeting, and other muscle-memory type activities while absorbing auditorily is super common, and not inherently bad.  I actually just had this come up for me in a class on "Effective Listening", and I personally took issue with the (in my opinion) outdated notion that this behavior is preventing listening when for many people it improves focus and retention.  There are plenty of studies that explore this, particularly in relation to people with neuro atypical tendencies.  The simple truth for me is that if I'm expected to sit still and listen to someone talk at me without doing something with my hands, I'm probably going to zone out - whether I'm interested in the topic or not.  I do not do well with auditory learning and crocheting or something like that makes a tremendous difference in my ability to engage that part of my brain.

Some of the same types of electronic clean up you listed.

Sometimes I knit, as it uses the same brain space as doodling.  This means I can pay pretty good attention to the content of the meeting, even if boring.

PKT (Paid Knitting Time)

I hope this isn't too silly a question for this group, but I wanted to ask what you all do during meetings where you only need to half pay attention. I tend to stick to organizing files (tidying my desktop and download folder, mostly). What about you?

Regards,

Multitasking in Milwaukee

Hey, a fellow fiber artist!  I typically will work on a fiber project of some kind - crochet, embroidery, macramé, whatever I have going.  

I think it is interesting, albeit understanding, that there is a fear of talking about this openly.  The reality is that doodling, fidgeting, and other muscle-memory type activities while absorbing auditorily is super common, and not inherently bad.  I actually just had this come up for me in a class on "Effective Listening", and I personally took issue with the (in my opinion) outdated notion that this behavior is preventing listening when for many people it improves focus and retention.  There are plenty of studies that explore this, particularly in relation to people with neuro atypical tendencies.  The simple truth for me is that if I'm expected to sit still and listen to someone talk at me without doing something with my hands, I'm probably going to zone out - whether I'm interested in the topic or not.  I do not do well with auditory learning and crocheting or something like that makes a tremendous difference in my ability to engage that part of my brain.

Some of the same types of electronic clean up you listed.

Sometimes I knit, as it uses the same brain space as doodling.  This means I can pay pretty good attention to the content of the meeting, even if boring.

PKT (Paid Knitting Time)

I hope this isn't too silly a question for this group, but I wanted to ask what you all do during meetings where you only need to half pay attention. I tend to stick to organizing files (tidying my desktop and download folder, mostly). What about you?

Regards,

Multitasking in Milwaukee

Some of the same types of electronic clean up you listed.

Sometimes I knit, as it uses the same brain space as doodling.  This means I can pay pretty good attention to the content of the meeting, even if boring.

PKT (Paid Knitting Time)

Original Message:
Sent: 04-10-2024 08:39
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: What do you do during a boring meeting?

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

I hope this isn't too silly a question for this group, but I wanted to ask what you all do during meetings where you only need to half pay attention. I tend to stick to organizing files (tidying my desktop and download folder, mostly). What about you?

Regards,

Multitasking in Milwaukee

Some of the same types of electronic clean up you listed.

Sometimes I knit, as it uses the same brain space as doodling.  This means I can pay pretty good attention to the content of the meeting, even if boring.

PKT (Paid Knitting Time)

I hope this isn't too silly a question for this group, but I wanted to ask what you all do during meetings where you only need to half pay attention. I tend to stick to organizing files (tidying my desktop and download folder, mostly). What about you?

Regards,

Multitasking in Milwaukee