Something which effectively worked for me is, I created a Pareto chart and one side I listed down meetings I do everyday and on the otherside I sort of assessed by contribution to each of these meetings. If I am unable to gain or contribute anything substancial to those meetings, then I tagged those meetings a NO. Over a period I could clean up my calendar by 50% or so.

To effectively protect your time and productivity amidst an overwhelming number of meeting requests, establish clear boundaries by prioritizing essential meetings that align with your goals and responsibilities. Consider implementing designated "no-meeting" times in your calendar to ensure you have uninterrupted periods for focused work. Communicate your availability transparently, perhaps by using scheduling tools that allow others to see your preferred time slots. By being selective about which meetings you attend and building a culture of efficiency, you can safeguard your time while still maintaining necessary collaboration.

Do not plan back to back meetings and try and have gaps in between meetings. Try and keep the meetings short and to the point and wherever possible prepare in advance. Set aside some non meeting time each day to focus on other productive stuff.