by Nicole Selley

Created on: April 16, 2009   Last Updated: May 10, 2009

It is very embarrassing when you sit in a meeting and suddenly realize that everybody is looking at you, waiting for an answer - and you don't know what the question was!

But the truth is - it happens. If you spend a lot of time in meetings, it is easy to occasionally get distracted. Your mind wonders off to some of the other projects you are dealing with, or you might just be bored with a discussion that isn't really relevant to you.

But appearing disinterested certainly doesn't make a good impression on colleagues and you might even miss important information. So how can you ensure that you stay focused during an office meeting?

== Before the meeting ==

As so often, preparation is the key to success. And successfully participating in a meeting is no different. So make sure you are following below recommendations before the meeting.

As soon as you receive the meeting invite, you should ensure that the meeting is relevant for you and that you will be able to add value to the meeting.

It might be that it is important for you to know which decisions were taken at the meeting, but you have no involvement in how these are being reached. There is no need for you to sit in the meeting, if reading the meeting minutes afterwards will give you everything you need.

It might also be that the meeting is relevant for your department, but you are not really the best person to attend. It is easy for people to invite the wrong person and it important to identify this before you attend. Otherwise you will spend time in a meeting to which you can contribute very little, which is not of interest for you. And the meeting won't be successful neither if the right people are not around the table.

The best way to identify if a meeting is suitable for you is by reviewing the title and by making sure you receive a meeting agenda as soon as possible.

An agenda can also help you to find out if you are really required for the full meeting. If the meeting lasts 2 hours, but topics relevant to you are only planned to be discussed in the last 30 minutes, you should have a word with the meeting organizer. It might be possible for you to join also when required.

A few days before the meeting you should re-read the meeting agenda (or chase it up if you haven't received it yet). Make sure you are prepared and can contribute positively to the meeting. You not only help to make the meeting a success and to avoid people wasting their time in the meeting, but if you are well prepared you

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