We live in a time where data and resources are at the tip of our fingertips. Questions can be Googled in seconds and a person is only a simple text, phone call or email away. And while this can be beneficial to your business in many ways, it can also be detrimental to our ability to focus on work and clients. And in the end, that is very bad for business. So I decided to come up with some ideas that will help you be in the moment while conducting business.

As somebody who goes to several meetings every week, one thing that I feel we could all do a better job of is being in the moment at the meeting. With the distractions we have around every corner, it is important to pay attention when you are in a meeting.

We all have those moments where we are waiting on an important phone call, or you may need to be accessible, but normally those moments are few and far between. As a rule of thumb, you should try to turn your phone on silent or at the very least vibrate. Do not answer a phone call when you are in a scheduled meeting unless it is one of those moments that you need to be accessible right then.

If you do feel that could be a possibility, the polite thing to do is let them know ahead of time that this may be a possibility. That at least gives some context in case you do have to take a phone call. Otherwise you are telling that person or that group of people that they are not important.

Also, be attentive. When people ask questions, give them feedback. Try to engage. You are in this meeting for a reason. Try your best to be engaged and helpful. Do your part in the meeting. There is nothing worse that being in a meeting, asking a question, and getting a blank look. Your opinion was important enough to be invited to this meeting. Be sure to be active.

Finally, try to make eye contact as much as possible. Some people may doodle on a piece of paper. Others may be checking their email. Be the person who is listening to whoever is speaking. Be the person who gives good feedback. Be the person who is all about that meeting at that moment.