Planning Shorter and More Effective Meetings.

Meetings can be a big waste of time. Before you set up a meeting, evaluate your agenda and determine if the information could be shared more efficiently by distributing it with a routing slip or electronically. If it is necessary to schedule a meeting:

• Do not allot more time for meetings than necessary--many times all the tasks can be completed in less time than originally scheduled;
• Distribute the meeting agenda at least one day in advance and do not overload the agenda;
• Start meetings on time, even if everyone is not present;
• Do not schedule a meeting for more than two hours, beyond that concentration suffers;
• Issue minutes promptly;
• Attend meetings only if necessary.

Time management can be as informal or as detailed as you want to make it. Develop a plan to fit your own needs -- be flexible throughout time and tailor it as your needs change.

Planning systems feature well-designed space for tracking appointments and include a note section each week with ample writing space for recording phone calls, to-do lists, goals or priorities.

Remember it is not the quantity of time you have it is the quality you make it.