Find it so so difficult to just sit and listen

[Lucyloo223]

In terms of training courses for work. Today it's 8am - 4pm with just being talked at in a crowded stuffy room. I just find it so hard to keep engaged and just switch off.

Is it just me? How do you stay focused?

Maybe try taking notes. Kind of a way of processing it and keeping you engaged.

Imagine you had to summarise each presentation to someone later or imagine if this was a train the trainer course and you had to do the same training next week.

Can you take notes? That helps me to focus. Are you interested in the course?

Oh I'm the same, I'll sit down ready to listen and learn, then we're two hours in and I realise I have zero idea what the trainer has been talking about and I've been sat there thinking about the little pie shop in Whitby or looking at the backs of everyone else's heads and trying to read their thoughts or wondering how planes stay up. I do not do well just being talked at for hours, it's not how I learn.

I'd be exactly the same. I bet everyone else in the room is as switched off as you. Try doodling, it can help.

It’s not you, the course leaders should be varying the delivery method to help maintain concentration

Just try to feel really interested in the training subject and think about how it can improve your work. It is quite a long one though!

I move about constantly, have an elastic band to fiddle about with, have a note pad to make random notes in or laptop and sit at the back tuned into WiFi and reading articles. I cannot bear situations like this it triggers sheer frustration and migraines. Have taken half a valium on occasions and practice breathing.

I could take notes but I cba tbh. No not interested in the course, have been made to go on it and very little of it applies to my job.

I used to be so good at this but these days I have the attention span of a gnat and fidget constantly.

I have sympathy @Lucyloo223

If you aren’t going to need to demonstrate learning, I’d just let your mind wander and maybe write a really good To Do List or plan a home project you are interested in instead so you look like you are taking notes.

If you can take a laptop so much the better.

Failing that at one conference many moons ago I might have registered and then gone out shopping and sightseeing for the day and just popped back for the food breaks to make sure I was seen.

Jeeze being talked at from 8-4 doesn't sound great

I'd make the most of any movement breaks and maybe try a discreet fidget toy. It sounds absolutely tedious.

I'm the same. Hate these things I just tune out and I find being talked at SO exhausting.

It is totally the tutor's fault for not designing an engaging course.

I have had so many of these, I'd end up pretending to take notes but actually doing planning all day. I once got called out by the trainer that they were impressed I was taking so many and I said 'Oh yes, this is really good stuff' and they bought it and carried on waffling nonsense.

Sounds like a rubbish course/course leader if it's that boring that you are switching off!

I work in a role that requires me to listen carefully, respond, remember what's being said to me etc. Initially I used to note take, as I have the attention span of an elderly goldfish. Now I've managed to somehow train myself to listen etc without needing notes

Just clocked the girl next to me dropping off so at least it's not all me. Roll on 4pm. How they expect people to pay attention to being talked at for 8 hours in a small stuffy overcrowded room I really don't know.

Can you ask for the window/door to be opened?
Leave briefly if possible for a drink/important phone call, etc and have a walk around.

No, it's not just you. Training courses are usually super boring as it is, and it doesn't help that it's usually the most boring person on Earth who teaches the course.

We ordinary teachers train to teach and are observed frequently to make sure we continue to teach to a high standard and in an engaging way. I never understand why, as soon as a person becomes 18 they are expected to just sit and listen for hours on end. It’s not effective at 18+ in the same way as it isn’t effective for under 18s.