Using less time than somebody gives you.

Time management is something that professionals have to start understanding better. I am working on obtaining a better understanding of professional time. How do I never decline an in-person meeting? How do I get everything I’m asked to do during my workday done? I'll tell you how I execute this and maintain sanity and balance.

When someone gives you 30 minutes, take 20. ?

To respect your time and the time of others, you need to take less time than allotted. The right balance is to complete the meeting 5 to 10 minutes early. Be personable and friendly, however, be very pointed. Prepare an agenda prior to the meeting. Aim towards the target.

Allow space for reflection. ??

Professionals many times go from meeting to meeting during their workday. If you intentionally create blank space at the end of your meeting, this increases the impact. It shows great respect that you do not want to overwhelm anyone.

Asking for more time. ??

When you realize that you may need more time than was originally allocated, you need to ask for a continuation politely and agree on the time that works best. Handle this with great maturity and courtesy.

Thank you for your time. ??

I always ensure I end every single day by sending a short two- or three-sentence e-mail to the people who shared time with me. If someone set aside time to be in your presence, this adds a super nice touch. Keep it short and sweet. Only acknowledging the time itself was of value to you.

(Notice: Views expressed herein are independently those of Amiel Greathouse. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Amiel Greathouse’s employer. Absolutely no endorsement of any kind is implied.)