7 Strategies to Eliminate Staff Meeting Fatigue

Staff meetings are essential to any educational institution’s routine, but they can sometimes leave you feeling drained and unproductive. 

If we are totally honest, staff meeting day is our most dreaded day of the week. If only we had the collective power to target the annoying staff meeting and have it ‘cancelled’! Sadly, this isn’t social media, so it looks like they are here to stay.

So, let’s talk about some ways to endure these dreaded staff meetings. We’ve compiled a list of practical strategies to help you combat staff meeting fatigue and make these sessions more productive (and perhaps even enjoyable).

7 Strategies to Eliminate Staff Meeting Fatigue:

1. Calendar Notifications: Get in the Staff Meeting Headspace

One way to prepare mentally for staff meetings is to pop them into your calendar. A reminder gives you time to mentally prepare, ensuring you’re in the right headspace for the meeting. This will also help be prepared for the next strategies we are going to share…

2. Plan Ahead: Preparing for the Day After

Try to have the next day’s lessons planned before the meeting. This way, you won’t have to scramble to prepare after the meeting, allowing you to focus more on the meeting’s content.

Pro tip: We always like to teach more straightforward lessons in the afternoon before the meeting. It might be a lesson that requires little to no marking or minimal packing up. This will allow you more time to be organised with prep for the following day.

3. Stay Hydrated and Energised

• Hydrate: Take a water bottle to the meeting to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to decreased concentration and fatigue.

• Caffeine or Comfort: Bring your cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or even a can of your favourite drink to keep you energised and alert.

4. Snack Smart during the Staff Meeting

Keep your energy levels up by bringing your favourite snack to the meeting. A little nibble can go a long way in keeping you focused and engaged. A fun way to do this is to share the ‘snack’ duties amongst a couple of friends.

5. Delegate Note-Taking Duties

You don’t have to be the sole note-taker during meetings, especially if meeting minutes are shared with you later. Share the note-taking responsibility with colleagues to reduce your workload, allowing you to concentrate on the discussion.

Pro tip: We love our Professional development diaries for keeping all staff meeting notes in one accessible place.

6. Choose Your Seat Wisely

If you have the option, strategically select your seat. Sit near a colleague who uplifts you and fills your “bucket.” Positive company can make meetings more enjoyable and less draining. 

If you get there a little early it is the perfect chance to also choose a spot where you will be most comfortable (near the air conditioning or close to a window etc).

7. Take a Well-Deserved Break After a Staff Meeting

Remember that you’ve worked hard all day, so don’t hesitate to give yourself the night off. Marking or lesson planning can wait until another day. Use your evening to relax and recharge so that you can be even more productive tomorrow. You might even want to make staff meeting night a ‘cheats dinner’ evening – aka do something that requires little to no cooking. 

Incorporating these practical tips into your routine can make staff meetings more manageable and less exhausting. Remember, it’s all about finding strategies that work for you, boosting your well-being, and maximising your productivity in the workplace.

One reason we often feel overwhelmed by staff meetings is we have so many things on our ‘to do list’ and not enough time (that is how we feel!). If this is you too, grab our FREE strategies on saving time in your teacher week.

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