That “important meeting” could have definitely been an email.
—Fortune Cookie quote
Image from Unsplash by Maxim Ilyahov
That “important meeting” could have definitely been an email — and deep down everyone in the room knew it.
We are addicted to looking busy, mistaking packed calendars for productivity.
But here’s the twist: motion isn’t progress. Half our meetings could be replaced with three bullet points and a “thanks for reading.”
Imagine what might happen if we traded 60 minutes of talk for 10 minutes of focused action!
So next time another meeting request hits your inbox, ask yourself: Is this collaboration or collective procrastination?
Because time isn’t just money — it’s momentum.
EXERCISE:
Consider turning recurring meetings into “decision memos.”
Send a concise email that explains the issue, options, your recommendation and a simple “reply with A/B/Other by (deadline). Only hold a meeting if there’s a disagreement, missing information, or a high-stakes decision needed.
This is a great post Barry. Too often people make the “safe” choice in scheduling and attending meetings with on up front expectations and clear action items afterwards.