Schedule time to prepare for meetings and conferences
Have you ever looked at your calendar and discovered you had a meeting scheduled and you just weren’t ready for it? What happened?
Most likely, you knew you had work to do to get ready for the meeting, but you didn’t set aside the time to do that work. Probably you didn’t even look when you were scheduling the meeting itself to make sure you actually had time available to do any preparation required.
We often tend to think of a one hour meeting as just taking up one hour of our time, and we schedule it as if that were true.
But, how many meetings have you attended as just an observer with no accountability to prepare before or take action after? (Why are you even going to that meeting?)
So, when scheduling meetings, be sure to also immediately schedule the time you need to prepare.
© Terry Monaghan, 2013 ~ All Rights Reserved
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Consultant, coach, speaker, trainer and entrepreneur, Terry Monaghan, publishes Now What, an ezine for entrepreneurs and professionals who want to double their productivity, improve their performance, and have a life! If you’re ready to jump start your performance and your results, then get your free tips now at www.TimeTriage.com.
Great point. I’ll start adding at least 30 minutes to my calendar immediately when is schedule the meeting…
That’s a great way to begin. Watch how it improves your productivity, and reduces your stress! 🙂
Good points to remember when planning my week.
And, easy to implement. Thanks for commenting!
Good basic advice we often overlook…thanks
Love this short and sweet and highly implementable advice!
Glad you like it! Since I am the time guru, I try to have the tips be impactful and NOT take a lot of time! 🙂
Terry,
I LOVE this planning to plan. It is VITAL, yet too few people do it.
I always enjoy your tips.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
It’s one of those simple little things that make a huge difference in eliminating the sense of overwhelm so many struggle with. 🙂
I couldn’t agree with you more. I learned this the HARD WAY over a number of years…..and now I am pretty faithful at immediately scheduling any commitments. Otherwise, pretty soon you are running with your tongue out constantly. Too much stress!
Me too Sue! I schedule the commitments, the prep, the debrief, the commute (if required), and the breaks. Otherwise it is far too easy to run flat out and exhaust yourself!
Just jumping on the bandwagon here.
How about taking the extra time before a meeting planning?
Why am I having this meeting?
What is the outcome I would like to see?
And then after the meeting?
What are the action steps which need to be taken now?
Mitch – you are reading my mind! I also did a post about debriefing the meeting!