Many professionals give little thought to when they schedule meetings. Yet, there are two times that should be avoided.
One of the leaders that I interviewed for my 2018 book, Work Stronger, is Janine Allis, Founder of Boost Juice, author of The Accidental Entrepreneur, and an investor on Shark Tank.
We discussed the habits and beliefs that have helped Janine thrive at work and in life.
Her approach to meetings was especially insightful. Janine never has meetings on Mondays or Fridays.
“Mondays are designed to set up my week and to establish my priorities. Fridays are my day to wind down, to make sure I have responded to everyone, and to make sure I have completed everything I need to complete,” she told me.
You might not be able to avoid meetings completely on Mondays or Fridays. However, there are two times you should never schedule meetings:
1. Late on Fridays
Devote the end of Fridays to strategic thinking and getting organized.
Reflect on your biggest wins over the last week and what you could do even better in the future.
Then, look at your upcoming schedule and your key projects and deadlines. Determine what you want to accomplish over the next week and determine when those tasks will get done.
Lastly, you can clear out your inbox and respond to any pending messages.
Using the end of Friday to think strategically and get organized gives you a sense of control heading into the weekend. You will be more present with friends and family. You will also be calmer and more focused when you start work on Monday.
2. Early on Mondays
Devote the start of Mondays to strategic action.
Complete your most difficult and valuable tasks early on Monday.
Using Monday morning for important solitary tasks sets a strong tone for your week. Focus intensely early on Mondays (when many people are easing into the week), and you can accomplish more on Monday than some people accomplish all week.
If you manage other people, encourage them to keep Monday mornings and Friday afternoons meeting-free as well. When your entire team keeps these times free of meetings, you will all enjoy better results.
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About the Author
Pete Leibman is a speaker and author who helps professional services firms sustain high performance. He delivers keynotes, workshops, and programs for leading consulting firms, law firms, and financial services firms. He also speaks at universities and at conferences. Pete is the author of three books and more than 300 articles on high performance. His latest book is Stronger Advisor: High-Performance Habits for Consultants, Lawyers, and Advisors.
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