I decline meetings by default. This is how it boosted my productivity.

<h1>Five simple calendar changes and meeting habits will boost your productivity.</h1> <p>Time is the most precious thing to have. No matter the amount of other resources, there will be no creation, production, or service if there&rsquo;s no time left. Even the most trained and skilled basketball player needs time to take the winning shot. Zeros on the shot clock, and there is no point, literally.</p> <p>Yet, in business, we continue to waste time in meetings (e.g., HBR, 2022 &mdash; &ldquo;Dear Manager, you&rsquo;re holding too many meetings&rdquo;). Sometimes, it&rsquo;s a hidden waste of time: three persons from the same team or management chain, incorrect people or groups invited to discuss a topic, meetings that cover already resolved issues, or a readout on a project to large groups. Interestingly enough, more often, the waste is visible: lack of clear meeting outcome, no follow-up actions, no decision making, missing meeting minutes, colleagues complaining about &ldquo;having back-to-back meetings&rdquo; or &ldquo;being fully booked today,&rdquo; and ultimately reduced productivity. Why was I invited to this meeting?</p> <p>I have made five changes to my meeting and calendar habits that helped increase my productivity immediately after implementation. Now, I coach my team to decline meetings by default and only accept invites after careful review.</p> <p><a href="https://medium.com/@michelbakkenes/i-decline-meetings-by-default-this-is-how-it-boosted-my-productivity-2ac28a7d56e0"><strong>Click Here</strong></a></p>