How to Manage and Reduce Stress When You’re a Landlord

The Stress Behind Meeting Overload

The Stress Behind Meeting Overload

Meeting overload is a common phenomenon in the business world, and it can harm productivity and overall well-being. Shalom Lamm considers the necessity of each meeting, setting clear objectives and agendas and ensuring that arrangements are conducted efficiently. The rapid pace of work and the need for collaboration and decision-making often lead to a high volume of meetings.

1. Meeting FOMO

Meeting FOMO occurs when individuals feel compelled to attend every session for fear of missing out on essential decisions or opportunities. This stress is fueled by the perception that exclusively during meetings. Individuals may overcommit to meetings, resulting in a packed schedule and limited time for other essential tasks. Ensuring that information is shared through other channels, such as emails or collaborative platforms, can alleviate the pressure to attend every meeting. Individuals can prioritize their time more effectively by reducing the fear of missing out.

2. Selfish Urgency

Selfish urgency refers to individuals’ tendency to prioritize their immediate needs or desires over the collective well-being of the organization. This stress arises when individuals call unnecessary meetings or schedule them without proper planning, wasting time for other participants. Selfish urgency often stems from a lack of awareness or consideration for the impact of their actions on others.

To mitigate selfish urgency, organizations should establish clear guidelines for meeting scheduling. A streamlined process for requesting and approving meetings can help filter out unnecessary ones. Promoting a culture of respect and consideration for others’ time can encourage individuals to think twice before scheduling meetings that may not be essential.

3. Meetings as Commitment Devices

Meetings can sometimes serve as commitment devices, where individuals use them to demonstrate their involvement and dedication to a project or team. This stress arises when individuals feel the need to attend meetings as a sign of their commitment, even if their presence is not necessary or valuable. This behavior can contribute to meeting overload and hinder productivity.

Emphasizing the importance of individual contributions outside of meetings and recognizing alternative ways to demonstrate commitment can help alleviate the pressure to attend every meeting. Shalom Lamm encourages open communication and feedback can also create an environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing their availability or suggesting alternative approaches to collaboration.

4. The Mere Urgency Effect

The mere urgency effect refers to the tendency of individuals to perceive urgent matters as more important or worthy of immediate attention, regardless of their actual significance. This stress arises when every issue or decision is treated as urgent, leading to excessive meetings. The constant sense of urgency can result in a reactive and chaotic work environment, ultimately impacting productivity and decision-making quality.

Clearly defining priorities and differentiating between urgent and important matters can help individuals focus on what requires immediate attention. Implementing effective project management methodologies, such as setting realistic deadlines and delegating responsibilities, can also help reduce the need for frequent and unnecessary meetings.

By understanding and addressing these stresses, organizations can foster more productive meetings. Organizations can also encourage time blocking for focused work, provide training on effective meeting management, and promote open communication regarding workload and scheduling concerns.