Break Free from Meeting Hell

That’s the number representing just how many useless meetings there are in the world.

When I first read this, I was utterly shocked - for about half a second.

As I sat with the statistic, it actually made sense with my real working experiences.

So have you ever found yourself sitting through a meeting, wondering...

Why in the world am I here?

You're not alone - we've all been there.

New research shows that most meetings keep us from completing our actual work.

Most meetings are a complete waste of time.

And the only thing you really have is time.

So, let’s challenge the status quo and respectfully say no to useless meetings.

How To Say No To Useless Meetings

We've all received those meeting invites with vague agendas and no clear purpose.

We shouldn't feel bad about not attending purposeless meetings. After all, our time is valuable.?

By pushing back and questioning the necessity of a meeting, we can prioritize our work and set boundaries that foster productivity.

Remember - “No.” is just as valid of a complete sentence as “Yes.”.

Instead of mindlessly accepting meeting invites, try the below.

The Respectful Decline

When declining a meeting invitation, it's crucial to prioritize your workload efficiently while respecting others' time.

The key is to be truthful without coming across as dismissive.

Politely express that you're currently focusing on other tasks that require your immediate attention. It's about valuing your time and theirs.

Decline, mention that you have a conflict, and ask for notes and outcomes from the meeting.?

You might be wondering, "but wait, Robert, I don't actually have a conflict".

Yes you do. That conflict is doing actual work.

And that is perfectly valid!

The Alternative Proposal

Could these discussions be more productive through email or platforms like Slack?

Ask yourself that constantly as you play defense on your calendar.

If you feel the meeting could be handled through an email or messaging, propose this as an alternative.

You could try to say, "Could we handle these updates via email or on Slack? This would allow me to provide more thoughtful and detailed input at my own pace."

My success rate with this is 100%.

The Doc & Tag

This is a bit of a power move, though honestly I’ve been thanked for doing this.

When you receive a meeting invite whose purpose is to collectively contribute ideas or information - why not just decline the meeting, make a document with the proposed questions seeking the information needed, and tag your teammates?

Seed it with your own contributions to get things started.

Sit back, and watch productivity occur asynchronously.

It's the 21st century - embrace it.

Suggest a (Shorter) Different Time Slot

Sometimes, to play great defense on your calendar, you have to take a penalty. Make it count.

If the meeting is indeed necessary (big if), but the timing is inconvenient, suggest a different time and a shortened time slot that works better for you.?

This shows your willingness to engage, but on your terms.?

A sentence like, "Thanks for setting this up. Could we reschedule this meeting to a later time? I proposed a different time slot. I could provide more valuable insights then as my work plate is full right now." could work wonders.

By being intentional about everybody’s time, you can ultimately move forward faster.

Right Click>Decline

Say no to meeting hell (politely), and you’ll be the quiet unsung hero that your teammates appreciate for saving everybody time and energy.

Your time is your most valuable asset—invest it wisely.?

How do you navigate meeting overload?

Share your strategies and stories in the comments below!

And of course... If you've read this far, here's a picture of Nibbler, my trusty pup in meeting hell.