How to stay awake in meetings?

Do you keep falling asleep in meetings and seminars? What about those long and boring conference calls? Here's a way to change all of that.

1. Before (or during) your next meeting, seminar, or conference call, prepare yourself by drawing a square. I find that 5' x 5' is a good size. Divide the card into columns - five across and five down. That will give you 25 one-inch blocks.

2. Write one of the following words/phrases in each block:

synergy
revisit
benchmark
fast track
touch base

strategic fit
expeditious
value-added
result-driven
mindset

core competencies
to tell you the truth (or 'the truth is')
proactive
empower (or empowerment)
client focus(ed)

best practice
24/7
win-win
knowledge base
paradigm

bottom line
out of the loop
think outside the box
at the end of the day
game plan

3. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words/phrases.
4. When you get five blocks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, stand up and shout 'BULLSHIT!'

Testimonials from satisfied 'Bull Shit Bingo' players:


'I had been in the meeting for only five minutes when I won.' - Adam, Atlanta

'My attention span at meetings has improved dramatically.' - David, Florida

'What a gas! Meetings will never be the same for me after my first win.' - Dan, New York City

'The atmosphere was tense in the last process meeting as 14 of us waited for the fifth box.' - Ben, Denver

'The speaker was stunned as eight of us screamed 'BULLSHIT!' for the third time in two hours.' - Paul, Cleveland