FACT: Data from MIT shows that business executives, on average, spend more than 20 hours each week in meetings.

1. The easiest and most effective step you can take is to keep meetings on time and never let them run over. If a meeting is supposed to start at 2, don’t wait until 2:07 to begin. Also, scheduling a hard finish time emphasizes efficiency and will help people stay on task.

2. Don’t schedule back-to-back meetings. Why? Because you’re more susceptible to brain strain. Your mind just can’t concentrate for hours on end. In a similar vein, create a company policy that keeps at least one morning or afternoon per week meeting-free.

3. Only invite people who need to be there. In an era of inclusiveness, it’s easy to over-invite as we aim to get more opinions and solutions. A smarter approach, though, is to carefully consider your goals for a meeting and bring together a lean, focused group to accomplish your aims.

4. If you’re holding a brainstorming meeting, ask attendees to come up with ideas beforehand. There’s nothing worse than a meeting with pockets of silence.

5. Make meetings as comfortable as possible. Leave conference rooms and go outside. Provide coffee, water and snacks. In other words, break your patterns. These changes alone are likely to boost engagement.

6. Finish with clear action items. Make sure everyone knows their responsibilities going forward and set a timeline to get things done.