USING YOUR TIME EFFICIENTLYconversation toward a resolution. Always end the
meeting on time. If the meeting is running over
its allotted time, invite people to continue the
conversation, but give them the chance to leave
if their schedules don’t allow them to stay.
When you promise to get people in and out
promptly and give them ample opportunity to
prepare for a meeting, you’ve set the best pos-
sible stage for accomplishing the purpose of
the meeting in a time- effi cient manner.
Stop Excessive Chatting in Its Tracks
Of all the time traps in the workplace, one of the
biggest is distracting conversations. Chatting or
engaging in casual conversation with coworkers
is a natural part of the work day—and some-
times necessary to build strong relationships
between colleagues. Still, excessive casual conver-
sation can gobble up minutes and hours of your
valuable time.
Adopt some conversational phrases to put a
stop to it. When someone comes to your offi ce
door unannounced, don’t be rude and wave
them off. Look up, smile, and say, “Good to see
you. I’m in the middle of something, but I’ve
got about two minutes to hear what’s up with
you.” You’ve now established a parameter that
the other person has to respect, and you’ve
announced exactly how much time you can give.
Don’t cut people off—simply let them know
up front that you’re guarding your time. Your
comments force a brevity that wouldn’t other-
wise be there. People learn quickly and will stop
trying to engage you in lengthy conversations.