It’s time to be more strategic with your time and say NO to those meetings that do not require your presence and/or input.

Working with managers, I often hear them complain about being trapped in the complex system of company meetings and how hard it is to get work done when their day is filled only with meetings. These meetings often do not start on time, people come and go, creating chaos and forcing people to repeat themselves. Meetings often go over agreed-upon time, causing people to be late for their next obligation. They hardly have time to go to the bathroom or stretch.

Surviving this tsunami of meetings means you have to start saying no, set clear boundaries, and protect your space and time. There’s no need to go crazy, as there are some ideas and solutions on how to start doing that. Do not be fooled by the idea that change will happen overnight; it takes time and consistency in applying your strategy. Here are three actions that you can take starting NOW:

1. Prioritize your schedule: Identify the meetings that are crucial to your work and prioritize them over others. Only attend meetings that align with your goals, and delegate other meetings to members of your team whenever possible.
2. Say “no” when needed: If you receive an invitation to a meeting that isn’t relevant to your work or goals, don’t be afraid to decline. Be respectful and offer an explanation if necessary, but remember that your time is valuable, and you need to use it wisely.
3. Set clear expectations with your team: Communicate clearly with your team members about which meetings you will be attending and which ones you won’t. Encourage them to share any relevant information from those meetings with you afterward. By setting clear expectations, you can avoid wasting time in meetings that aren’t essential. Get them involved and create a system with your team and make it your priority.

Being strategic with your time and setting boundaries are essential skills for any manager. By prioritizing your schedule, communicating clearly with your team, being strategic with your time, and saying “NO” when necessary, you can ensure that you’re spending your time on the most important tasks and not getting taken hostage in meetings you don’t need to be in.

Few things to consider and think about. Try to see how this applies to you…

1. The average employee spends 23 hours per week in meetings.
2. More than 70% of senior managers reported that meetings are unproductive and inefficient.
3. 64% of meetings are conducted without a clear agenda.
4. Nearly half of meeting attendees consider meetings to be a waste of time.
5. Meetings that start late and go over time can cost companies millions each year.