When we’re in the thick of it working hard to reach our goals or getting that to-do list complete it can be way too easy to lose site of the big picture. A great time to reflect is during your monthly review but why wait till the end of the month to get clarity and refocus?

What is a Weekly Review?

A weekly review is dedicated time at the end of every week to process and refocus in your personal and/or professional life. There’s only so much time in the day so the weekly review helps you reflect, close any open loops, and then prioritize for the upcoming week to ensure you’re making the most of your time and spending it on what matters to you.

Weekly Review Benefits

This practice can be beneficial in your work and personal life.  My review often fluctuates with my needs that week and is a combination of personal and work. At the core I use the following list:

•  Clear inboxes – Things 3, Email, Safari Reading List

•  Review: incomplete tasks, projects and key results, time tracker, calendar and events

Then I typically add something specific to that week like space to reflect on how I did with the goals I set in therapy, any routines I wanted to improve, or health metrics I focused on. 

A combined system gives me clarity in all aspects of my life by stepping back and getting a more objective view of my progress. This clarity reduces anxiety and stress, helps me be proactive, and can be really energizing! I can be confident that I’m making time for the projects and relationships that are important to me.

Another benefit I’ve found is a sense of accomplishment. There are weeks where I feel like I made no progress and am failing at every single one of my goals – like I’m achieving nothing. Having this objective view not only helps pinpoint what can be improved but also recognizes strengths.

Design Your Review!

Weekly Reviews increased in popularity as part David Allen’s productivity technique, Getting Things Done. Like many other systems people typically find them most beneficial after adding their own spin to best fit their needs. Below are some frameworks you can use to get started designing your own review!

Getting Things Done:

Get Clear

• Collect Loose Papers and Materials

  • Gather all accumulated business cards, receipts, and miscellaneous paper-based materials into your in-tray.

• Get “IN” to Zero

  • Process completely all outstanding paper materials, journal and meeting notes, voicemails, dictation, and emails.

• Empty Your Head

  • Put in writing and process any uncaptured new projects, action items, waiting for’s, someday maybe’s, etc.

Get Current

• Review Action Lists

  • Mark off completed actions. Review for reminders of further action steps to record.

• Review Previous Calendar Data

  • Review past calendar in detail for remaining action items, reference data, etc., and transfer into the active system.

• Review Upcoming Calendar

  • Review upcoming calendar events–long and short term. Capture actions triggered.

• Review Waiting For List

  • Record appropriate actions for any needed follow-up. Check off received ones.

• Review Project (and Larger Outcome) Lists

  • Evaluate the status of projects, goals, and outcomes, one by one, ensuring at least one current action item on each.

  • Browse through project plans, support material, and any other work-in-progress material to trigger new actions, completions, waiting for’s, etc.

• Review Any Relevant Checklists

  • Use as a trigger for any new actions.

Get Creative

• Review your “someday” list

  • Capture “next actions” for your bigger projects

• Come up with 1-3 big, audacious goals

  • What are some things that feel risky yet thought-provoking?

Recent Posts: