The hidden price of a meeting
Meetings feel free because nobody receives an invoice. They are not. Eight people in an hour is eight hours of work that is not happening, and a weekly recurring meeting multiplies that across the year.
Using the number
The figure is useful as a prompt, not a verdict. If a recurring meeting costs several thousand a year, ask whether it could be an email, a shorter call, or a meeting every other week.
Protecting focus time
Batch meetings into set blocks so that the rest of the day is free for deep work. The Pomodoro Focus Calculator shows how a protected block can be structured.
Frequently asked questions
How is the cost worked out?
Attendees multiplied by hours multiplied by the average hourly cost. A 1-hour meeting with 8 people at 40 per hour is 320.
Does the cost include lost focus time?
No. Meetings also break up the day and make deep work harder, so the real cost is usually higher than the number shown.
Is a meeting always bad?
No. A good meeting makes a decision or unblocks people, and is worth its cost. The aim is to check that each one earns it.
How can I shorten meetings?
Share an agenda in advance, invite only people who need to decide or contribute, and set a shorter default length such as 25 or 50 minutes.