by Raynie

Created on: October 07, 2008

We all have those moments when we'd really rather be any where else. You know those times when you really should or need to be paying attention, but all you can really hear is blah, blah, blah, exciting times, right. So you slip off into daydreams or your thoughts drift to other activities you'd rather be tending to, like laundry, washing the car, mowing the grass, fixing that 90 year old sewing machine granny left you or just making your bed! Whether it's the same yearly meeting at work you have to attend every year or reviews in the classroom, you can't afford to be caught drifting off! I'm not an expert or anything but I do have my tecniques on how to pull this off.

Here are a few tips to help you pull off the appearance of paying attention.

For one on one conversions try smiling and nodding, with an occasional agreement. This works great with people who just don't breathe while they talk, unless you agree when you should've disagreed. A quick recovery is needed! You simply state that you misunderstood. Of course you agree with them! The main draw back is you kinda have to get involved in the conversation for a second.

Stuck in the same office meeting you have every year? With the same person literaly reading the same crap, I mean important information, they've read for the last five years word for word! It's the companies way of terrorising loyal employees. What to do? You face toward the speaker sit up straight, and nod every so often. They will think they have your attention while you drift into your own thoughts, like the party you are going to attend after you get off work, or how good the guy or lady in the next cubicle is looking today. In case they ask you to write a summery make sure you have a copy of the one you wrote last year and hand them that one again! Hey, it's good for at least five years. Right?

For the classroom pretend to be taking notes. This gives you a chance to make out your mp3 list, draw, or pass notes (which your child would never do in class, this for all the other bad children who do!). If they call on you ask them if they could rephrase the question. That will give you a chance to gather your thoughts. You might also try simply saying "Pass!" Could work, who knows? I say it's wroth a try.

Caught cat napping? No way! You're conducting a study based on subconscious learning. Some studies show you can learn better while you sleep. After all educational research is important. Good luck on the test!

These tips should help you act like your paying attention, although they may make you look kinda clueless in the long run.

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