Set yourself a "Meeting Budget"

Oi, oi, time for a quickie?

Ever feel like you’re drowning in meetings that leave you no time to lead, or perhaps no time to just do your job?

Well, the world has used budgets for years to help avoid spending too much money on the wrong things, so why not apply the same principle to meetings.

It's time for a 'Meeting Budget'.

Seriously –?decide how much time you're willing to spend in meetings –?and stick to it.

But how?

1. How Much Time Do You Need?

First, think about how much time you need for everything that isn't a meeting:

• focused work
• strategic thinking
• leading your team
• personal development
• etc.

This is your non-negotiable time — your core work hours –?because regardless of how many meetings you choose to go to, you must have time for the basics, right?

2. Set Your Meeting Budget

Once you’ve established your core work hours, determine the maximum number of hours left for meetings each week.

This is your 'meeting budget'.

It’s a cap that ensures you don't run out of time for everything else that matters in your role.

3. Evaluate Meeting Requests

As meeting requests come in, see if you have enough time in your meeting budget.

If you’re close to or have exceeded your budget, you need to prioritise.

Ask yourself:

• Is this meeting essential?
• Can the information be shared via email or a brief call?
• Can someone else from my team attend instead?
• Will this meeting contribute to my core responsibilities or strategic goals?

If the answer is "I don't know", you need to ask more questions about the meeting!

If the answer is "no", it’s time to reconsider attending or cancelling another meeting you might have already agreed to –?because it's less important than the new one.

4. Communicate Your Boundaries

It's really important to be transparent with your team and colleagues about your meeting budget.

Let them know what you're doing – optimising your time to lead more effectively.

Encourage them to schedule meetings only when necessary and explore alternative ways to communicate and collaborate.

Reclaim Your Time

By implementing a meeting budget, you’ll find you avoid meetings that don't really NEED you, and you'll also make sure you have time to focus on what truly matters.

I'd love to hear how this plays out for you.

Feel free to share your experiences and insights in the comments.

Enjoy!

Love, Paul

Struggling with too many meetings?

? Why not try a one-hour Diary Detox Discovery – an engaging, interactive experience that will reveal where you lose time and how to get it back. Learn more here.

Wish you had more time to lead?

?? Discover the ten habits of the Diary Detox? method. Learn about the Diary Detox? App here.

Looking for a thought-provoking keynote for your next event?

?? Invite me to deliver a keynote that offers a new perspective on time management and simple tools to reclaim it. Find out more at paulholbrook.com .