Last week I wrote about working less and testing the 80/20 hypothesis for your business work cycle. This might not apply to you if you’re a pure “solopreneur” — but I’ve also found that “pure” lone rangers are few and far between. There are almost always people with whom we have to meet, and potential time vampires all around us, even as sole proprietors. One time vampire I’ve come across that sucks the life blood out of my productivity – meetings.
And let me get this important point right out front: yes, meetings are necessary at times — and a business that NEVER has them probably won’t get on the same page with the frequency or efficiency that succeeding in 2017 (and beyond) now requires. It’s a fast-moving marketplace, folks.
But exactly because it’s so fast-moving out there, we must not allow the “corporate culture” of meetings and memos to rule over the advantage we carry as a smaller, more nimble organization or business.
Corporate Culture
And even within the corporate culture, there is growing literature and research about cutting down the wasteful environment of relentless meetings.
So here are a few guidelines I’ve put into place … let’s free ourselves from those additional, mindless obligations.
Three Keys To Shorter Meetings
“Prepare while others are daydreaming.” -William Arthur Ward
In the spirit of what I’m writing about, this will be a quickie…
Three essential guidelines for taking control of meetings — and your time.
1) Determine whether you are necessary to the conversation.
Look at the agenda, or find out what the meeting is intended to accomplish. Ask yourself, “Do I get anything out of the meeting?,” and “Do I contribute anything to the meeting?” If your answers are “no,” then let meeting organizers know, and find a way to avoid attending. Just do it.
2) Attend what is valuable to you.
If the first part of a meeting is relevant to you, but the other half isn’t, find a way to skip the second half. Just do it, and let the chips fall.
3) Arrive on time–leave on time.
Let meeting organizers know that you’ll be happy to attend the meeting but will only stay until the time stated. Then get there on time–and leave on schedule.
These may seem harsh, but your time is valuable. Respect yourself enough to treat it that way.
I’m grateful for our partnership and dedicated to your success.
Feel very free to forward this article to a business associate or client you know who could benefit from our assistance — or send them our way? While these particular articles usually relate to business strategy, as you know, we specialize in tax preparation and planning for families and business owners. And we always make room for referrals from trusted sources like you.
Warmly,
Michael A Hurdle
(720) 828-6218
Tax Time CPAs