Every time I watch a productivity video on YouTube, I notice a pattern: most creators showcase beautifully minimalist calendars with one or two meetings per day. They have spacious blocks for deep work, creative thinking, gym sessions, or even long walks to “reset the mind.”
I admire their discipline. But I also can’t help but think, What world are they living in?
Because in mine—the world of IT consulting—it’s not uncommon to have 5, 7, or even 10 meetings in a single day.
So… am I doing something wrong?
The Consulting Reality
In consulting, especially in tech, the environment moves fast. We work across multiple teams, clients, time zones, and technologies. Communication is part of the product we deliver.
Many of us work in complex implementations. That alone involves developers, architects, QA, UX designers, clients, and internal stakeholders—each with their own expectations and timelines.
And so, the calendar fills up. Quickly.
The Myth of “One-Meeting-a-Day” Productivity
A lot of productivity advice is based on individual contributor roles or solopreneur lifestyles. These creators often have full control over their schedules. They can say “no” freely. They can disappear for hours to do deep work.
That’s not always the case in consulting. We work in environments where alignment and collaboration are essential—and that often translates into meetings.
But Does That Mean We’re Doomed?
Not at all. But it does mean we have to define productivity differently.
For us, being productive might look like:
- Facilitating clarity across stakeholders
- Making a key decision during a call that unblocks an entire team
- Managing to create 30 minutes of quiet focus amidst the chaos
- Ending the day knowing your clients, teams, and timelines are aligned
And yes, some days will still feel overwhelming. But that doesn’t mean you failed—it just means the nature of your role requires flexibility and resilience.
What Helps Me
- I try to limit myself to three meaningful meetings per day. I don’t always succeed, but this goal helps me stay aware of my energy.
- I time-block focus time the night before—just like I would a client call.
- I promote async updates when possible. Not everything needs a meeting.
Final Thought
If you’re in consulting and feel guilty for not living up to the productivity standards you see online—please stop. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just playing a different game.
The key is to find your own definition of productivity, based on the realities of your work, your energy, and your goals.
Because in the end, productivity isn’t about copying someone else’s routine—
it’s about creating a rhythm that works in your world.
Arabela Navarro 