You have a packed schedule. How can you keep your professional calendar under control?

1 Assess your goals

Before you accept any invitation or request, ask yourself what your networking goals are. Do you want to expand your contacts, deepen your relationships, learn new skills, or explore new opportunities? Depending on your objectives, you may want to focus on different types of events, platforms, or people. For example, if you want to learn new skills, you may prioritize webinars, podcasts, or online courses. If you want to explore new opportunities, you may seek out referrals, introductions, or collaborations.

2 Prioritize your contacts

When it comes to networking value, not all contacts are created equal. To ensure you're not wasting your time or energy, prioritize your contacts and allocate your attention accordingly. You can use a matrix to categorize your contacts based on two criteria: the strength of your relationship and the potential of your collaboration. Label these contacts as A, B, C, or D; A being strong relationship and high potential, B being strong relationship and low potential, C being weak relationship and high potential, and D being weak relationship and low potential. Focus more time and effort on A and C contacts as they offer the most benefits for your networking goals. Maintain B contacts with occasional check-ins, and let go of D contacts if they don't add any value.

3 Use a calendar app

One of the best ways to keep your professional calendar under control is to use a calendar app that syncs with your email, phone, and networking platforms. A calendar app can help you organize your events, set reminders, track deadlines, and avoid conflicts. You can also use a calendar app to block out time for your personal and professional tasks, as well as for your self-care and leisure activities. By using a calendar app, you can have a clear overview of your schedule and make adjustments as needed.

4 Automate your communication

Another way to save time and hassle is to automate your communication with your contacts and prospects. You can use tools like email templates, canned responses, chatbots, or scheduling links to streamline your messages and avoid repetitive tasks. For example, you can create email templates for common scenarios, such as confirming an appointment, sending a follow-up, or requesting a referral. You can also use canned responses to answer frequently asked questions, chatbots to provide instant information, or scheduling links to let your contacts book a time slot with you.

6 Review and refine

Finally, you should regularly review and refine your professional calendar and networking strategy. You should evaluate your results and feedback, and see what works and what doesn't. You should also monitor your workload and well-being, and see if you need to make any changes to your schedule or priorities. By reviewing and refining your professional calendar and networking strategy, you can ensure that you are on track with your goals and that you are making the best use of your time and resources.