Does it ever feel like your days are swallowed by a vortex of meetings? You review agendas, attend discussions, and take copious notes, only to find yourself yearning for the quiet space to work on your research, writing, or teaching. In this context, ‘productive meetings’ sounds like an oxymoron, but is it something we could actually achieve?
Academic meeting culture
The problem runs deeper than mere scheduling conflicts. Our current academic culture often overvalues immediate communication and consensus-building through meetings, even when asynchronous communication or individual work could be more efficient. This approach, while aiming for inclusivity and collaboration, can inadvertently chip away at our ability to engage in the critical thinking, analysis, and creative leaps that drive academic progress.
This isn’t just a personal struggle – it’s a systemic issue affecting many academics. The constant churn of meetings leaves us with fragmented schedules, depleted energy, and a nagging sense of unfulfilled potential. However, it’s possible to make personal choices that might help change the culture.
More productive meetings
Before scheduling another meeting, or agreeing to attend one, consider the following:
- Evaluate the need for the meeting: Is this discussion truly best served by a live session, or could an email, document, or asynchronous forum suffice?
- Plan by setting clear agendas and time limits: Ensure meetings have defined objectives and stick to them, respecting everyone’s valuable time. Aside: Does the meeting need 30 minutes, or will 10 do?
- Promote focused individual work: Advocate for protected time in your schedule specifically for deep thinking and uninterrupted research or writing. If you don’t need to attend, should you?
- Leverage technology: Explore tools for asynchronous communication and collaboration to keep information flowing without constant meetings.
Remember, reclaiming your time for deeper thinking isn’t about selfishness – it’s about fostering excellence in your academic pursuits. Guarding your calendar proactively creates the breathing room needed for scholarship. You’ll gain back time to read deeply, analyse data, and crystallise innovative ideas.
While it is possible to run productive meetings, they shouldn’t monopolise your days. Be choosy about what you attend so that deep thinking gets the priority it deserves.
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