A day in the life : Day 440

This week, I ran into a small but frustrating issue before a meeting. I joined thinking it would be quick and focused, but it drifted all over the place. By the end, we had talked a lot and decided very little. Later that day, I noticed a trend popping up again — people using short, AI-generated meeting agendas to keep discussions tight. It sounded useful, especially for conversations that tend to wander.

I tried it for the next meeting. Nothing fancy. Just a one-page outline with three points: what we’re deciding, what information we need, and what the outcome should be. I shared it beforehand. The difference was noticeable. The conversation still had room to breathe, but it didn’t spiral. We wrapped up earlier than planned and actually left with clear next steps.

There was a small hiccup, though. One person hadn’t read the agenda and felt a bit caught off guard. That reminded me that tools only work if people know why they’re there. A quick explanation fixed it, but it was a good lesson — structure helps, but context matters too.

The weather’s been unpredictable lately, with sudden heat in the afternoons. That usually drains me faster. I’ve been keeping lunches lighter and drinking more water, which helped me stay alert during meetings. Heavy food plus long discussions is a bad combination, especially when it’s warm.

By the end of the week, meetings felt less tiring. Not because there were fewer of them, but because they had a point. That alone saved energy.

This trend isn’t about making meetings rigid or robotic. It’s about respecting everyone’s time. A little preparation goes a long way. When the purpose is clear, conversations don’t need to be rushed — they just need to stay on track.