5 Virtual Hangout Ideas to Boost Productivity + Happiness
Zoom is having a moment, y’all! What was once a standard video conferencing platform has exploded into everyone’s favorite meeting, hang out, conversation, education, and commiseration watering hole. But how can we utilize virtual hangouts to move the needle forward on our biggest goals - while staying connected to our co-workers and peers in meaningful ways?
Here are five of my favorite types of virtual hangouts to help you stay motivated, productive, and ensure that social distancing doesn’t put a damper on your work life! ✨
#1: Virtual Co-working Hours
Virtual co-working is an awesome way to stay accountable and feel like part of a team while you work remotely. You can set virtual co-working sessions for as long as you like, but I recommend scheduling them in one hour increments – especially if you want extended periods of uninterrupted work throughout your day.
This 5 step process is simple and effective:
Schedule a fixed daily meeting time with a group of your favorite colleagues with video screens ON so that everyone can see each other.
At the top of each hour, each participant unmutes themselves and states what they’re going to work on over the next 50 minutes - can we say ACCOUNTABILITY or what?!
Once all have shared their goals, everyone goes on mute and the focused mini-marathon begins. The chat box should stay open for those who want to type or ask a question, but otherwise this is silence-is-golden-hour.
The assigned meeting leader checks in about 15 minutes before the end and says "go folks go! 15 more minutes!"
At the end of the hour, people check in and give an update on their progress and what they will do next. E-high fives are shared and if it’s happy hour, maybe some bubbly is popped, too 🥂
It’s fun to crush your goals, be mega productive and celebrate your wins with others!
#2: Roundtable Discussions with Peer Vendors & Colleagues
Take a break from the keyboard grind and rock some interaction with a thought-provoking roundtable! Roundtables are a great way to learn more about important topics and pick your colleagues’ brains while also sharing your expertise on any topics that are in your wheelhouse.
For example, maybe you know a badass professional who is great on social media or branding. Ask them to host an open Q&A roundtable where people can ask about how they choose brand colors, or how to schedule Instagram posts (we love using Planoly for our IG), to name a few hot topics.
Or maybe there is someone at the office who is good at taking videos or photos? Ask them to give a quick virtual bootcamp on how they get those great shots on their iPhone, edit colors and pose with those good angles. 📸
How about a sought-after leader in your organization that hosts a roundtable about an unexpectedly personal topic such as "the worst day of my life + what I learned from it," or "the 3 best pieces of advice you've ever received and what they can teach us”? Vulnerable topics like that are not only great for showcasing one’s leadership style and personal story - they’re also an incredible way for the leader to show up for their team during tough times.
No matter what topic you choose for your roundtable, you can:
Have questions asked before the session and deliver them to the main leader interview-style
Keep it casual with participants asking questions via chat live.
Who do you know that loves to share or that you’d love to learn from? Roundtable it up!
#3: Cocktail LESSONS During Happy Hour
Who doesn’t love a new cocktail recipe in times of Quarantini? Let loose in a fun, new (+safe!) way, and schedule a cocktail session during your next virtual happy hour.
The mixologist(s) of your group can walk everyone through how to make their favorite beverages using household ingredients - or you can do a round robin-style cocktail class with each participant showing everyone how to make their favorite drink, why it’s their favorite and some of their favorite places to get it locally.
Are you facebook friends with your favorite bartender or do you know a great mixologist amiga like Alyssa from IMS Technology Services does? Invite them or even your wine/beer/liquor distributor to speak for a little subject matter expertise. Even if you don’t drink, learning something new together can be a fun bonding experience - bonus points if you can have porch drop offs of mini bottles or samples of tasting flights!
Pump up the fun and give your happy hour a theme, such as Tiki Bar Night, or After Dinner Delights - the options are endless and the bar is OPEN! 🎉
#4: Start A virtual Book Club
Reading books is good for your brain in so many ways - and you don’t have to take my word for it - it’s science. But carving out time in your busy schedule for reading doesn’t always happen, which is why the tried and true participation in a book club is a fantastic way to stay connected and feed your creative mind. 📚
Picking the right book for the mood is clutch, so poll your audience on genres, topics and FEELINGS they want to feel right now. Not everyone may want an epidemic-themed thriller right now #readtheroom. If you’re going for uplifting, might I suggest titles such as:
Thrive by Ariana Huffington
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
These are lighter reads that are still full of great lessons that you and your fellow book clubbers will love talking about.
Also, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is also in my canon for boosting creativity and productivity, and for helping me get unstuck from creative blocks. And it’s a surprisingly short read!
#5: Call Me with a Call Tree
Just because you’re working remote doesn’t mean you can’t pick up the phone to catch up with folks. And sure, this isn’t “virtual” per se, but it uses technology so let me slide, OK?
Calling is AWESOME. I can’t tell you the pure excitement that I get when my phone rings nowadays (spammers seem to be taking this time to reassess their life choices and NOT calling right now #silverlining).
So who will you call? The people you have a good relationship with will appreciate hearing from you, especially during a challenging time - so give them a ring! Folks you haven’t caught up with in a while will appreciate the reconnection. Been meaning to apologize or bury a hatchet with someone? The time to make amends is NOW, don’t you think? Give yourself and them the gift of clear consciousness and make the call!
Pro-communicator tip as you make your calls: don't start the call with "how are you?” - it’s such a loaded and common question that feels heavy and average. Instead, say "I was thinking of you and wanted to see if there’s anything you need right now.” This type of approach is much more impactful and can open up a deeper, more meaningful connection.
PS: if you're in an association, call trees work exceptionally well in connecting with and keeping members engaged. Simply divide up your membership list and have each board member take a segment of the membership list with an agreed upon message and offer of support. It’s a great way to connect and help in a new way with members.
Whether you’re aiming to get work done, want to connect on a new level or a little bit of both, I hope these virtual hangout ideas inspire you to gather together and do the work that matters most right now.
We’re all stronger when we go big together!
Questions / Comments / Margaritas? Let me know below 👇👇