Why Disabling Self-View Can Improve Your Focus During Video Calls

Have you ever been on a video call and found yourself constantly distracted by your own image? It’s a common experience, and it turns out that there’s a good reason for it. When you’re looking at yourself, your brain is using up valuable cognitive resources that could be better spent on focusing on the conversation at hand.

In today's world of remote work, video conferencing has become the norm. Whether it's for business meetings or catching up with friends and family, the use of video conferencing has increased tremendously. However, with this increase, many people are getting distracted by their own self-view, which can reduce focus on the conversation.

What is self-view and how does it affect our focus?

Self-view is a feature available in most video conferencing software that allows users to see themselves during the call. While this feature can be useful, it can also be distracting and cause us to lose focus on the conversation. In fact, research has shown that self-view can cause anxiety and stress during video calls, which can negatively impact our productivity.

In fact, a recent study by the University of Michigan found that people who disable self-view during video calls reported significantly higher levels of engagement and attention compared to those who didn't! By removing the distraction of seeing themselves on screen, participants were better able to concentrate on the other person and the conversation, leading to a more productive and satisfying call.

But it’s not just about focus. Disabling self-view can also improve your overall well-being during video calls. Seeing yourself on screen can be stressful and lead to self-consciousness, particularly if you’re concerned about your appearance or the way you’re presenting yourself. By turning off self-view, you can reduce this stress and feel more at ease during your calls.

So, how can you disable self-view? The method varies depending on the video conferencing software you’re using, but most platforms have the option to turn off self-view either for the duration of the call or permanently. Check the documentation or support resources for your preferred software to learn how to do this.

How does this work for me?

As someone who has worked remotely for many years (circa 2014), I have found disabling self-view to be a game-changer for my concentration during video calls. Before implementing this practice, I often found myself distracted by my own reflection, obsessing over my appearance and worrying about how others were perceiving me. By disabling self-view, I was able to redirect my focus to the other person and the content of the call, allowing me to be more present and engaged.

Of course, disabling self-view may not be the right choice for everyone. If you're in a situation where your appearance is important, such as a job interview or a client meeting, you may want to keep self-view enabled. However, in many cases, the benefits of disabling self-view can outweigh the risks.

In conclusion, disabling self-view during video calls can help you improve your focus and overall well-being. It may take some getting used to, but the benefits are worth it.

Give it a try and see how it works for you.

References

• Kuhn, K. M. (2022). The constant mirror: Self-view and attitudes to virtual meetings. Computers in Human Behavior, 128, 107110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107110
• Ramachandran V. (2021). Stanford researchers identify four causes for ‘Zoom fatigue’ and their simple fixes. https://news.stanford.edu/2021/02/23/four-causes-zoom-fatigue-solutions/