Second that. I have the same problem, so I use the excuse of a "bad back" (which everyone can sympathize with) to stand at the back of the room. Keeps you awake while giving no hint to your boss of your narcoleptic tendencies. One word of caution: remain STANDING. Leaning won't cut it.
I'm in a week's worth of all day conferences next week and I sometimes find myself bored to tears, especially when topics move to something my team has no interest in. I usually drink lots of coffee and make sure to sit in an area of the conference table where I can surf the internet on my laptop with minimal exposure to other folks.
I have a workshop with my boss and a fellow employee this SATURDAY... I don't know how the heck I am going to stay awake when I usually stay up till 4 or 5 in the morning playing Left 4 Dead.
I live for my weekends! I wasn't anticipating having to spend it going to a WORKSHOP. I make no sacrifices...
I play games on my iPhone or excuse myself out of the room to walk around. Doing a fake cough and then leaving to "get some water" works wonders. Usually meetings I go to don't amount to anything of substance, so missing a few minutes of it doesn't really matter.
1. Get an iPhone, or a Storm, Touch HD etc. 2. Have it on your leg under the desk. 3. Have the browser pulled up to the BBS Hangout. Problem solved.
Hire me to redo the imagery/backgrounds of the presentation! I can make a 100 slide presentation enjoyable (that's why I get the big bucks ) Realistically, coffee. -
It's work. I don't get to play counter strike for a living or anything. About the sleep thing, I get 5 hours a night. Even if I get 8 or 10, I'll still fall asleep. So the sleep thing is only trumped by pure boredom,
I have been to thousands of meetings, and honestly, most of them were worthless, a huge waste of time. Most meetings could be replaced with an email exchange. As far as staying awake, think about something interesting or doodle.
Download the app (if iPhone) that fakes a call to you... or just have someone call you on purpose... If you're high up enough to get away with taking a call, that is.
+1 I was in a drug/sleep deprevation study once and we used to "cheat" and chew gum to stay awake. It does wake you up. Years ago after telling of the tip to a co-worker, we were in the middle of a really boring meeting (CPA credit hours course) - he leans over offering me a stick of doublemint. I got in so much trouble (my boss was the one giving the presentation) because I burst out laughing and I couldn't stop. I wanted to stop but the gum presentation was perfect in every way.
Here's one that works great for me: Bring a cup of ice to the meeting. If I know I have a particularly boring meeting (especially right after lunch), I bring a cup of ice and slowly chew on it. The cold keeps me awake.
as was said before, just stand up and walk to the back of the room. pace, if you have to. massage your neck and just behind your ears to get blood flowing to your head... that also helps me personally.
