How do you stay centered and focused during a chaotic team meeting or brainstorming session?

"We don't rise to the occasion, we fall back to the level of our preparation." Very true in most cases so make sure your preparation is adequate for the situation!

Sometimes it can be challenging to stay focused when a meeting becomes chaotic. Here are some handy hints to help you stay centered: 1. Stick to Your Preparation & the prep work that you’ve done to keep you on track. 2. Be an Active Listener & listen to only the relevant voices. 3. Build focus skills beforehand. You can practice by turning on loud music & doing an important task simultaneously. 4. Keep your key responsibilities and objectives in mind. When that's your priority, the focus is only there! 5. Take a Break if the meeting becomes overwhelming. 6. Do deep breathing to manage stress and maintain clarity. 7. Take time to reflect on the meeting afterwards to assess what went well and identify areas for improvement. You’ve got this!

Breathing 1x1 Make your exhales longer than your inhales, twice as long is ideal. When you exhale, do so through your mouth. Make your inhales as full as possible but not too long. When you inhale, do so through your nose. Repeat the breathing exercise of your choice for a minimum of 30 seconds, because it takes that long for your rest & recovery system to impact your perception.

Use deep diaphragmatic breath nose breath while using slow extended exhale, maybe by pursing your lips as if you had a straw between them, or simply double the time of exhale compared to the inhale. This will calm you and your nervous system down quickly.

During a meeting, taking notes fulfills a number of essential purposes. First of all, it keeps you involved in the conversation by keeping you alert and involved. Making notes of the most relevant information helps to remember and recall it later. Moreover, notes offer a visual anchor that supports concentration, particularly in the face of distractions. One can review and clarify information using a written record, ensuring that nothing crucial is missed. Additionally, neat notes can encourage responsibility and efficient communication by acting as a useful reference for decisions and follow-up actions. Taking notes improves understanding and retention overall, which makes it a crucial habit for conducting successful meetings.

Speaking up during a meeting can be intimidating, but it's essential to keeping the conversation on track and fostering meaningful discourse. By speaking up and asking questions, one actively participate in the conversation and make it more lively and inclusive. Opinions have the power to dispel doubts, offer fresh viewpoints, and steer the discussion in a more worthwhile path. Even though it could feel scary, keep in mind that your distinct point of view is important and has a big influence on how the meeting turns out. Speaking up is a brave act that not only advances One's own development but fosters a team atmosphere where a variety of viewpoints are valued by all. By actively contributing, create a more productive team.

Preparing your meetings with a visualization before you start, will help you keep a positive mindset. While you visualize you may imagine how you handle every difficulty in a positive way with a wonderful outcome. This will train your brain to act that way automatically. You can enhance this, using rhythmical breathwork, which will help you go deeper into your subconscious and strengthen the "reprogramming" of your mind.