Want More Time Each Week? Start Here

If you’ve ever reached Friday evening and thought, where did my time even go? — you’re not alone. Most leaders and professionals I talk with have the same experience. Their weeks are packed with back-to-back meetings, scattered commitments, and very little breathing room. The problem isn’t that you’re not working hard enough. The problem is that most calendars are cluttered with things that don’t actually move the needle.

The good news is you can reclaim at least three hours a week (usually more) just by giving your calendar a regular clean-out. Here’s where to start:

1. Audit Your Time

Look back at last week. For each meeting or task, ask yourself:

• Did this add real value?

• Did it move me closer to my goals?

• Could this have been shorter, done by email, or handled by someone else?

This quick check will show you where time is quietly slipping away.

2. Cut or Shorten Meetings

Meetings have a sneaky way of expanding to fill the time you give them. A 60-minute default is rarely necessary. Try setting them for 25 or 50 minutes, move status updates to email or a shared doc, and cancel recurring meetings that no longer have a purpose. Trimming even one recurring meeting frees up an entire hour every single week.

3. Protect Focus Blocks

Decluttering is not just about removing things. It’s also about adding time for what matters. Block out space for deep work, strategy, or even just breathing room. Then treat those blocks like nonnegotiable appointments. You’ll focus more deeply and get far more done in less time.

4. Set Boundaries Around Your Calendar

Calendars fill up because we accept everything that comes our way. Before you hit “accept,” ask:

• Do I really need to be there?

• Can I give input another way?

• Is there a faster way to get to the same outcome?

Every time you say no to something that doesn’t matter, you’re saying yes to something that does.

5. Do a Monthly Reset

Your calendar shouldn’t be a set-it-and-forget-it situation. Check in monthly. Drop what’s outdated, reassess recurring meetings, and realign your schedule with your current priorities. What made sense six months ago may not serve you today.

The Payoff

Decluttering your calendar isn’t about cramming more tasks into your week. It’s about creating space for the work and life that are most important to you. With just a few intentional changes, you can free up three or more hours every week for strategic thinking, creative projects, or simply catching your breath.

Your time is your most valuable resource. Protect it well, and your calendar will finally start working for you instead of the other way around.