Go on a Time Diet: The Simplification Hack with Major Payoff

Time is our most precious asset, yet we waste hours of it every week in unproductive meetings. A Zippia study shows that employees spend 31 hours per month in unproductive meetings, leading to an eye-popping $37 billion in lost productivity each year. The solution? Go on a "Time Diet."

Instead of defaulting to hour-long meetings, think in halves: 30 is the new 60, and 15 is the new 30. By intentionally reducing meeting lengths—or cutting unnecessary ones entirely—you’ll reclaim valuable time and energy. Start small: pick one meeting, cut it in half, and watch as focus and productivity improve. Another approach? Replace status-update meetings with brief, written updates that people can read on their own time.

This simplification hack isn’t just about squeezing the schedule—it’s about respecting everyone’s time and creating a culture where people are empowered to do meaningful work. Less time wasted in endless discussions means more time for impactful action. Going on a Time Diet may be the easiest way to lighten the load and boost performance.