Ever felt overwhelmed by your calendar?
We've been there, and we've got some exciting insights to share from experts in the productivity workspace
If you don't consistently exercise control over your own calendar, someone else will
The Problem: Overloaded Calendar
Time management is crucial, yet many of us struggle to maintain a balanced schedule. In this article, we'll explore a tactic that can help you reclaim control over your calendar and make time for what truly matters.
Bulldoze Your Calendar
Have you ever noticed how your calendar can become cluttered, much like a garden overrun with weeds? Even when you intentionally clear out unnecessary meetings, they have a way of creeping back in.
But don't fret! Just like a gardener tackles weeds, you can also make time to prune your calendar.
Imagine a tiny bulldozer driving through your calendar, effortlessly pushing events around (cue the sound effects!). Visualize that bulldozer compressing a 30-minute meeting into a quick 15-minute chat. Watch as it relocates a bunch of one-to-one meetings from your morning to your afternoon. It might even stack all your meetings on one or two days of the week. The result? More freedom, more space, and more time to focus on what truly matters.
Taking Ownership of Your Calendar
We understand that not everyone has complete control over their schedules. However, there's no harm in asserting yourself and asking if meetings can be adjusted. You'd be surprised how often people are thrilled when meetings are shortened or rescheduled. Remember, not every meeting is already the perfect length or scheduled at the ideal time. Take ownership of your calendar and clean things up to create a more efficient and productive schedule.
Tech & Tools
While bulldozing your calendar is effective, it's even better to avoid having scattered meetings in the first place. One helpful tool is Calendly, which allows you to pre-set the times you're available for meetings, protecting your dedicated "Highlight" time. Worried about the politeness of asking someone to schedule time with you? Check out this handy blog post for tips on how to navigate this effectively.
Action Steps
A simple line like "Feel free to share some times you're available, or you can pick from my Calendly if it's easier" can make the process smoother.
Takeaways | Actions |
|---|---|
1. Assess your calendar regularly | |
- Review and declutter your calendar regularly | |
- Remove unnecessary meetings or events | |
2. Utilize the Bulldozer Technique | |
- Visualize rearranging and compressing events | |
- Consolidate meetings into specific time slots | |
3. Assert yourself | |
- Communicate scheduling preferences | |
- Politely ask for adjustments or rescheduling | |
- Use tools like Calendly to streamline scheduling | |
4. Leverage technology | |
- Predefine meeting availability. Shorten them. |
Implementing these takeaways will help you regain control over your time and create a more productive and fulfilling schedule.
We hope you found these tips helpful! Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below and let's conquer time management together!
