What do you do if your time management skills are lacking during meetings and discussions?

1 Assess Habits

To improve your time management in meetings, start by assessing your current habits. Reflect on recent discussions and identify patterns where time could have been better utilized. Are you spending too much time on one topic or failing to prepare adequately? Understanding these habits is crucial for setting realistic goals to improve your efficiency. Consider seeking feedback from colleagues to gain a broader perspective on how your time management affects the team.

4 Practice Discipline

Discipline is key to managing time effectively in meetings. Commit to starting and ending discussions on time, even if all points have not been addressed. This practice encourages more focused and concise communication and respects everyone's time. If necessary, schedule follow-up sessions to cover unresolved issues rather than allowing meetings to overrun their intended duration.

5 Engage Others

Engaging other participants in the time management process can lead to more efficient meetings. Encourage colleagues to share the responsibility of keeping the discussion on track. Assigning a timekeeper or rotating the role can help maintain awareness of the passage of time. This collaborative approach not only improves time management but also fosters a sense of shared accountability among team members.

6 Reflect & Adjust

After each meeting, take time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved in terms of time management. Did the meeting achieve its objectives within the set timeframe? Use this reflection to adjust your approach for future discussions. Continuous improvement is a hallmark of effective time management, and by regularly evaluating your performance, you can make meaningful progress in managing your time during meetings and discussions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?