One Small Tip for Managing a Meeting-Heavy Workload

It’s tempting to fill our calendars with back-to-back meetings. But without space to think, process quick actions, and (at least for me) decompress, we carry mental residue from one meeting into the next.

The impact on both wellbeing and productivity can be significant.

Changing an organisation’s meeting culture takes time. So here’s something you can try today: When you schedule a meeting, build in buffer time.

If it’s a 45-minute meeting, block out an hour in your calendar. Use that protected 15 minutes to process notes, complete quick follow-ups, and reset.

This works even if you’re not the organiser, assuming you have some autonomy over your calendar.

This simple action (you could call it a personal rule) can help you regain control over your day and create space for clearer thinking and better decisions.