Help: Meetings are taking over my workday

As appeared in the Baltimore Business Journal - November 23, 2007
by Leslie Shreve

Question:
I find myself jumping from meeting to meeting and getting little accomplished in between. What's the best way to manage my time at the office?

Answer:
With some planning, you can start to get ahead, not just keep up. If you think you need at least a half an hour or more to accomplish a priority task or series of tasks, schedule uninterrupted time on your calendar at your most productive time of day in order to focus and get them done. If you can squeeze in uninterrupted time in both the morning and the afternoon each day, all the better. The remaining time can be flexible and you can be available to others. In addition, scheduling time with yourself in advance may discourage others to take it away from you.

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