Are Your Meetings Helping You "Be More"?

As the year winds down, it’s natural to reflect on how we’ve spent our most valuable resource — time. In the whirlwind of meetings, deadlines, and daily demands, have you moved closer to your goals? Or have you found yourself stuck in a cycle of unproductive meetings and misaligned priorities?

The new year brings a clean slate — a chance to reevaluate how we approach our work and the time we dedicate to it. As Peter Drucker said, “Time is the scarcest resource, and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed.”

The Real Cost of Ineffective Meetings

Statistics reveal that poorly run meetings cost U.S. companies an estimated $37 billion annually? Companies like Amazon, Google, and Facebook have recognized this and implemented measures to ensure their meetings are purposeful. For instance, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos popularized the "two-pizza rule," which dictates that no meeting should be so large that two pizzas can’t feed the entire group. This approach ensures discussions remain focused and manageable.

[Also read: https://blog.focusu.com/5-tips-for-facilitating-large-group-meetings ]

Another example comes from Google. Their internal meeting guide emphasizes keeping meetings under 30 minutes whenever possible and ensuring every participant has a clear role, such as decision-maker or contributor. These strategies help avoid the common pitfalls of meetings that drag on without clear outcomes.

Reflecting on Your Meetings

Not every organization is Amazon or Google, but there are lessons we can all take from their approaches. Before stepping into a new year, ask yourself these questions after every meeting:

Were the goals clearly defined and communicated?

Did everyone actively participate and feel heard?

Did the discussion stay focused and on track?

Were the desired outcomes achieved?

If you find yourself answering “no” to any of these, it’s an opportunity to rethink how you approach meetings. As Steve Jobs once said, “It’s not about money. It’s about the people you have and how you’re led.” Meetings that are focused and goal-oriented can be powerful tools for leadership and collaboration.

Learning from the example of a Global Leader in Premium Spirits

An organisation which is a global leader in premium spirits, approached us with a fairly common challenge: how can they get their employees to translate theoretical knowledge about time management into actionable results? The disconnect between learning and application was hampering individual productivity and impacting the organization's overall agility and efficiency.

Recognizing the importance of time management in driving organizational success, the organisation was looking for a transformative approach to employee development through effective time management.

We offered a solution that removes the knowledge gap and encourages prompt implementation — The Time Trek Challenge. This interactive workshop gamifies key techniques and invites participants to embark on a virtual office journey, tackling real-world scenarios and practicing time management superpowers.

With our Time Trek Challenge, their employees tackled real-world scenarios in a gamified virtual environment.

This approach allowed participants to experiment with prioritization, delegation, and managing distractions in a safe, engaging setting. The result? Enhanced productivity, stronger team collaboration, and actionable strategies to better manage time.

As we reflect on the past year, stories like these remind us that intentional learning and self-discovery can spark real change.

What Top Leaders Say About Time Management

Time management isn’t just about meetings — it’s about aligning your actions with your goals. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, once shared that one of his biggest lessons as a leader is the importance of prioritization. He urges his team to ask: “What’s the one thing I can do that will make everything else easier or unnecessary?” This question helps cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.

Another example comes from Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, who famously advocates for setting clear boundaries. Her approach involves ensuring that every meeting has an agenda and actionable takeaways. If not, she questions whether the meeting is necessary at all.

Your Time, Your Legacy

As you prepare for 2025, remember that how you use your time reflects your priorities. Effective meetings aren’t about filling up your calendar — they’re about creating value. Here are three practical steps to make your meetings more impactful in the coming year:

1. Define Clear Objectives:

Ensure every meeting has a purpose and desired outcome.

2. Foster Participation:

Encourage every participant to contribute their unique perspective.

3. Follow Up:

Conclude meetings with actionable steps and assigned responsibilities.

Time to “Be More”

Time isn’t just a measure of productivity; it’s a reflection of purpose. As the year ends, let’s use the lessons of 2024 to guide us into a more intentional and impactful 2025. The new year is a chance to realign, refocus, and, above all, "Be More."

To quote Benjamin Franklin, “Lost time is never found again.” Make 2025 the year you take control of your time — and inspire your team to do the same.

Closing Thought

As you reflect on your past year, think of every meeting as an opportunity — not just to discuss, but to decide, to collaborate, and to move forward. Let’s step into 2025 with a renewed commitment to making our time — and our meetings — matter.

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