Ding!

You receive a meeting invite. What's your automatic response? Most will accept.

Why?

One of the most common complaints is too many bad meetings. Followed closely by too many meetings. Let me empower you:

You can say 'no'.

In most cases, you don't actually have to go to that meeting. Want proof? Then ask yourself one question:

Would I have to go if I were double-booked?

If no, then why go if your calendar is free? You are giving your time to someone else. And your time is your most valuable and limited asset.

Have to go?

Happens to all of us. But you don't have to live with a bad meeting. Here's a simple question you can ask to make every meeting effective:

What's the purpose?

There either is a purpose or not. And if there's no purpose, it's a chat. If the purpose is unclear, then help the meeting organiser clarify the purpose.