Mindful about Meetings

12 meetings, 5 calls and 3 walk-ups. And that was just Thursday! It’s not terribly unusual but it is a lot. I know what you are thinking. I’m not alone experiencing that, and that’s true. But I do apologize to anyone who had to meet with me towards the end of the day. I’m sure it wasn’t great. I was definitely running low on fumes.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love meeting with people, especially in person and most delightfully, over a cup of coffee or tea. It’s one of my favorite things! However, I sometimes find myself preoccupied or unfocused. In some cases, I’m not even sure why we’re meeting. I just show up because my calendar says so.

This got me thinking: how do I show up in meetings, and does it matter? Sometimes it’s a critical project meeting, team update, or strategic planning session. For those, I try to quickly orient and determine the desired outcome so I can contribute towards the goal. If it’s not clear, I’ll ask. But other times, those meetings are just for advice, career coaching, mentoring, or inspiration. I love those. They’re often the most rewarding, as the outcomes are more about helping my fellow human travelers, as well as our company, succeed.

So, how do I really show up? Am I present? Compassionate? Indifferent or insensitive? Do I speak more than I listen? And if I do listen, do I listen with understanding? Am I respectful, kind, and supportive? Do I show up real, with integrity and sincerity?

I know I haven’t always succeeded, and that’s not good enough. I want to do better. I want to be more mindful and intentional in my meetings. I want to make the most of our time together.

Every second of every day is precious. Every heartbeat, every breath, and every person. The gravity of these meetings finally hit me. People matter. Time is irreplaceable. Every conversation is an indelible narrative that we score upon the journal of eternity. Those words, those interactions, and those moments should matter. They do matter. They shape our company, our world, our connections, and our future.

Not every meeting is needed, so let’s be judicious about the time we book. But when we do, let’s level up. It’s time to invest in each other even more. It’s time to make the most of our minutes, our days… our time.

Starting this week, let’s make a conscious effort to be more mindful and intentional in our meetings. Let’s focus on the present moment, and let’s prioritize listening and understanding. Let’s show up with compassion, respect, and kindness. Let’s make the most of our time together. I’m ready to try. Are you?

See you in the next meeting!