It’s 2:55 pm on a Monday. My inbox is overflowing, and the to-do list seems to stretch on for miles. In five minutes, I have a meeting that I scheduled a month ago. It won’t help me clear my inbox or make a dent in today’s tasks, and the thought crosses my mind: “Should I cancel? Wouldn’t that time be better spent tackling what’s right in front of me?”
But here’s a principle I live by: Don’t cancel meetings. Even when the day has spiraled out of control, and that meeting feels like it’s standing in the way of progress, I believe there are two key reasons to stay the course—avoiding roadblocks and honoring commitments.
Avoiding Roadblocks
Often, when we feel the urge to cancel a meeting, it’s because we’re not ready. Maybe we’re stuck or don’t have all the answers. Ironically, that’s exactly when the meeting is most valuable. Use the time to clarify what’s holding you back. Address why you aren’t “ready,” and work through the barriers standing in your way.
Cancelling the meeting is like turning off the oxygen supply just when you need it the most. Progress is built by pushing through those moments of uncertainty, not by postponing them.
Honoring Commitments
Every meeting is scheduled for a reason, and when we cancel, the message we send is clear: “My time is more important than yours.” That’s a tough pill for anyone to swallow.
Instead of cancelling, try shortening the meeting. Touch base for five minutes if you can’t spare the full 30. Show respect for the time your colleagues have set aside. After all, trust and reliability are built not just through words, but by following through with our actions.
The Bottom Line
So, next time you’re staring down a mountain of work, tempted to skip that next call or meeting, reconsider. Take the full time or shorten it, but use the opportunity to break through your roadblocks. I promise you’ll find the tasks ahead of you easier to tackle—and you’ll be better prepared to handle them.
