I cannot seem to make this point often enough and clearly enough. Before either planning or attending a meeting, either define its specific purpose and agenda, or ask (if you're not hosting the thing) what it is intended to accomplished. Time is so important. If the answer you get starts with something like, "I thought we might just catch up/ discuss/ update eachother..." or the like, it is likely going to be an unnecessary, uninspiring annoyance. If the answer begins with "to cover/ vote on/ ratify/ decide upon..." or the like, you might really have purpose to the meeting. A meeting needs to accomplish a purpose as well as to have an agenda and an estimated duration. -- Douglas E. Castle
