The 50-Minute Meeting: A Simple Hack for Productivity ??

What if I told you that one simple change in your meeting schedule could revolutionize your workday? David Silverman proposes the idea of the 50-minute meeting—a life-changing shift from the standard 60-minute meeting that could drastically improve productivity and reduce stress.

Why 50-Minute Meetings? ?

How many times have you felt rushed, running late by mid-morning, or scrambling to reset your day after a series of back-to-back meetings? By the afternoon, you're behind on emails, maybe even skipping meetings altogether just to catch up. Sound familiar?

Silverman points out that this same problem doesn’t exist for students, who are used to 50-minute class periods with built-in time to move to their next destination. Why do we abandon that structure in the business world, where efficiency is just as crucial?

The Culprit: Calendar Defaults ??

Silverman blames tools like Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, and other scheduling platforms for perpetuating this problem. These apps default to meetings that are 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes long—leaving no room for transition time, quick email replies, or even bathroom breaks.

Start Scheduling 50-Minute Meetings ??

The next time you’re faced with setting up a meeting, try scheduling it for 50 minutes instead of the usual hour. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish in that time, while also allowing a few minutes to reset before your next commitment.

Final Thoughts ??

This simple shift from 60 to 50-minute meetings could transform your productivity and reduce the stress of back-to-back appointments. Whether it’s time to answer emails, grab a coffee, or simply take a breather between meetings, those 10 minutes matter.

So why not give it a try? Schedule your next meeting for 50 minutes and see the difference it makes in your day. Who knows, you might just start a new trend in your workplace! ??