Today’s office environment looks very different from what it was 10 years ago—and even 5 years ago. With the availability of video chat, people can join or leave meetings in an instant, whereas in the past, they had to physically walk over. The temptation to book meetings is higher now simply because it’s so easy. We often don’t stop to ask if a meeting is even necessary. As a result, many people find themselves with a calendar packed from morning to evening, leaving no free time in between.
While this may seem convenient and efficient, we need to ask: is it actually a good thing? We are caught in a constant cycle of listening, understanding, commenting, and asking. Our brain is processing huge amounts of information without rest. And although the brain is an extraordinary organ—so complex that even with today’s technology we don’t fully understand how it works—is it really meant to process information nonstop, taking breaks only when we sleep? Even outside of work, endless entertainment at our fingertips keeps our minds constantly stimulated through phones and streaming services.
The amount of information people consume daily is staggering. Between 1980 and 2008, the number of bytes consumed increased by about 6 percent each year—adding up to a 350 percent increase over 28 years. It’s safe to assume the growth since 2009 has been even greater. Yet our brains haven’t evolved to handle such constant bombardment of information. Like any system under overload, its ability to function begins to diminish. If the brain is pushed too far, it can eventually shut down, sometimes showing up as depression or burnout.
So how do we relieve the pressure on our brains? By giving ourselves time to reflect and process information. We can start by asking simple questions:
- How is this information relevant?
- Can I use it in the future?
One way to make space for this reflection is by scheduling “blank space” meetings with ourselves. These meetings aren’t for doing more work, but for allowing our minds to process. A helpful exercise is to take a blank sheet of paper and simply write down whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about making sense of it—just get it out of your head. Once it’s on paper, you can sort through it and find useful insights. You may even notice trends you hadn’t seen before—or you may realize that some meetings weren’t as valuable as you thought. Both outcomes are worthwhile.
Taking time to reflect and organize your thoughts after meetings is like doing a mental cleanup. Without it, information remains scattered and incoherent.
It might feel counterintuitive to block off blank space in your calendar in today’s busy world. But when you consider the benefits—greater clarity, focus, and peace of mind—it’s well worth it.
Start adding reflection time to your schedule to release the mental pressure that builds up from back-to-back meetings. Think of solo reflection meetings as a release valve in a pressure system: too much pressure, and eventually it explodes. Protect your mind before it gets to that point.
Take care.