Avoid the Wandering Eye Online
Thirty-two ways to stop your eyes wandering online, so everyone feels you are fully present on the call.
Wandering eyes tell people you are elsewhere. Keep your attention in the call.
40 tips that really help
These ideas come from What Every BODY Is Saying (Joe Navarro), The Definitive Book of Body Language (Allan and Barbara Pease), Presence (Amy Cuddy), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Wandering eyes tell people you are elsewhere
On video, glancing at other windows, your phone or the corner of the screen is easily seen. People notice more than you think, and a wandering gaze can feel dismissive.
Choose one place to look during a call: the speaker’s face or the lens.
Know what pulls your eyes
Notifications, your own face, other tabs and your phone are common culprits. Spotting them lets you remove them.
List your top three eye-pullers.
Close the other windows
Close email, chat and anything else that tempts you. Fewer windows mean fewer wanders.
Close extras.
Silence notifications
A pop-up pulls your eyes away. Switch on do not disturb.
Silence.
Hide your own face
Looking at yourself draws your eyes. Hide self-view.
Hide it.
Put your phone away
A phone in view is a magnet. Put it in another room.
Move it.
Use a single screen
One screen with the call helps you stay focused. Move other tasks off it.
Use one.
Place the call window near the camera
Looking close to the lens makes your eyes look more direct.
Move it up.
Make the call window big enough
A tiny window leads to drifting. Make it big enough to engage with.
Resize.
Use speaker view
View only the active speaker. It reduces visual noise.
Switch.
Take handwritten notes
Notes on paper next to the camera keep your eyes close.
Use paper.
Keep notes near the lens
Place any notes close to the camera. It looks natural.
Move them.
Do not read emails
Reading emails during calls is easy to spot. Do it later.
Wait.
Do not scroll
Scrolling is obvious. Stay on the call.
Stay.
Do not look at the clock
Clock glances show impatience. Put a clock out of sight.
Hide it.
Do not look at the door
Distractions in your room draw your eyes. Face a plain wall.
Face a wall.
Clear your space
Remove clutter that tempts you to fiddle.
Tidy.
Face a calm background
A simple background reduces the urge to look around.
Choose calm.
Close the door
Reduce noise and interruptions.
Close.
Tell others you are in a call
A sign or a word prevents interruptions.
Tell them.
Prepare before the call
Know the agenda and your points. It frees your eyes.
Prepare.
Set an intention
Decide “I will give this call full attention”. A clear intention helps.
Set it.
Breathe
A slow breath helps you stay present.
Breathe.
Fidget quietly
If you need to move, use a stress ball below the frame. Keep your eyes up.
Use a fidget.
Stand sometimes
Standing can keep you alert. Use a standing desk or a stack.
Stand.
Take breaks
Long calls need breaks. Look away between sessions.
Rest.
Look at faces
Give attention to each face as they speak. It deepens connection.
Look at them.
Look at the lens
Look at the lens when you speak.
Lens.
Look kindly at the person speaking
A kind look encourages them.
Be kind.
Notice when you wander
Gently bring your eyes back. No scolding.
Return.
Use a reminder
A sticky note saying “Look here” near the lens helps.
Add a note.
Set rules for yourself
“No phone during calls.” Rules help.
Make one.
Build the habit
Practise on a few calls and it becomes natural.
Practise.
Ask for feedback
Ask a colleague if you seem present. Learn.
Ask.
Record a call
With permission, watch yourself. See where your eyes go.
Review.
Reward yourself
After a focused call, take a short break.
Treat yourself.
Use the "one tab" rule
Keep only the call and, if needed, a notes document open. With one place to look, your eyes have fewer chances to wander.
Close everything except the call.
Be kind to yourself
Everyone wanders sometimes. Return gently.
Be gentle.
Notice the benefits
You will remember more and feel less tired. Notice it.
Observe.
Schedule your wandering
If you know a call will include a long, less relevant section, plan to take notes or stretch quietly rather than drifting. Choosing how to use that time keeps your eyes purposeful.
Pick a calm activity for the dull parts of your next long call.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.
“Sorry, let me close that and focus.”
“I got distracted, please repeat that.”
“I am fully here with you.”
“I will take notes by hand.”
“Thank you for your patience.”
“Thanks for having my full attention today.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Close extra tabs
Silence notifications
Put the phone away
Take notes by hand
Look at faces or the lens
Take a breath
Reset when drifting
Further reading
- What Every BODY Is Saying (Joe Navarro)
- The Definitive Book of Body Language (Allan and Barbara Pease)
- Presence (Amy Cuddy)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
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Start freeThese lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.
More lessons in “Making Eye Contact”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Nod and React on VideoNext: Look Present on a Long Call →
- What Eye Contact Really Says
- Why Looking Away Feels Safer
- The Trust Signal in Your Eyes
- How Eye Contact Builds Connection
- What Science Says About Gaze
- Too Little, Too Much, Just Right
- Why It Feels Hard, and Why It Gets Easier
- Begin With the Space Between the Eyebrows
- The Three-Second Rule
- Look at the Eyes, Then the Smile
- Practise With a Mirror First
- Practise With a Pet or a Photo
- Hold a Gaze for One More Second
- Build Up Slowly Day by Day
- Look While Listening, Glance While Thinking
- The Triangle Technique
- Break Eye Contact the Natural Way
- Eye Contact in Groups
- Keep Contact When You Are Talking About Yourself
- Match the Other Person's Comfort
- Use Your Eyes to Show Interest
- The First Hello
- Job Interviews and Eye Contact
- Eye Contact When Saying Sorry
- Eye Contact on a Date
- Hold Your Gaze When Saying No
- Eye Contact When Giving a Speech
- Eye Contact With Someone Senior
- Look at the Camera, Not the Screen
- Set Your Screen Up for Better Contact
- Nod and React on Video
- Avoid the Wandering Eye Online
- Look Present on a Long Call
- Build Warmth Through a Lens
- Eye Contact Rules Around the World
- When Eye Contact Is Hard for Neurodivergent People
- Respect Someone Who Avoids Your Gaze
- Keep It Gentle, Never Intense
- Your Daily Eye Contact Challenge
- Make It a Natural Habit
