I'd like to start this week's post off with two questions.
- Do you know what you need and want to get done this week?
- Are you sure?
Do you feel anxiety after reading these questions? 😅 Maybe a twinge of dread? Like maybe you were pretty sure you knew what you needed to get done this week, but now your second-guessing yourself and your mind is trying desperately to remember, racing over everything you need to do. Well, I have some good(ish) news for you, and then some more good news.
First, you're not alone. It's unfortunate, but many people today struggle to plan all the things they need to get done over the coming week. Even though many of them keep to-do lists and calendars, I still see these people thumping themselves on the forehead by Wednesday or Thursday after they realize they need to do something that day that had slipped their mind or that they hadn't planned for.
Second, there's something you can do about it. Something that may seem ridiculously simple and obvious, but also something I see very few people do. But the ones that do it are often the people I hear get asked questions like, "How do you get so much done?" and "Nothing ever slips by you; what's your secret?" Maybe you've asked these same questions yourself? So what's this revolutionary idea?
I like to call it the Weekly Review Ritual, and it's super simple. Once per week, sit down for 30-60 minutes and review everything you need to get done. That's everything on your To-Do list(s), in your email inbox, on your calendar, and written on your arm. The goal is to give every single thing a few seconds of focus in order for you to make a decision about it.
Dedicating just a slice of your Sunday (or whatever day you prefer) to reviewing all the things you need to do can work wonders. It's like giving your brain a mini-refresh, allowing you to enter the new week with clarity and purpose.
Here's why it's so powerful:
No More "Oops, I Forgot About That!"
We've all been there – suddenly remembering that important task we completely forgot about. By reviewing your list weekly, you're less likely to let things slip through the cracks. It's like being your own personal reminder fairy!You're the Boss of Your Time
When you review your list, YOU make the call on what's important. It's not about doing everything; it's about doing the right things. You get to actively decide if that task is going to get your attention that week, or not.Serendipitous Productivity
Sometimes, you'll notice a task that perfectly aligns with something else you're already doing. Suddenly, that daunting to-do becomes a convenient add-on. It's like finding an extra fry at the bottom of the bag – unexpected, but oh so satisfying!
The Ultimate Review Checklist
To make the most of your review, don't forget to check:
- Your email inboxes (both work and personal)
- Your calendars (again, work and personal)
- Your to-do list (obviously!)
- Your ongoing projects
Pro tip: Set a timer for this review if you find it takes you a long time. It shouldn't take over your entire Sunday – we're aiming for productivity, not punishment!
Here's what mine typically looks like...
Sunday morning, I wake up, pour myself a cup of coffee, and sit on the couch where our three dogs immediately come snuggle up on and/or beside me. While I sip my coffee, and snuggle them I dive into my list of actions and projects. It's not uncommon for me to have 300-500 items on the list, so this generally takes me about 30 minutes. I look over every item. Some of them I immediately know I'm not going to do and simply mark them as reviewed. Some I add notes to about new info from the previous week, or new thoughts. And others I'll add due dates to if they are time-dependent. For projects, I make sure that each one has a next action listed.
From there, it's off to my email inboxes (there are several). If I haven't already, I work to completely empty them out. Emails here either get moved into some folder for filing, moved to my read-it-later app (this is mostly for newsletters I keep up with), result in me adding new items to my actions and projects, or just get deleted (if I'm feeling up to it, I'll take the time to unsubscribe from a few of these).
I'm an avid note taker, so the next thing I do is look over my notes from the previous week where I add actions and projects to my list from them and then file them away in my second brain.
Finally, I switch over to my calendars (again, there are a few) where I start by reviewing the previous week. I like to do this to help refresh myself on what I did in the past week, and to add any actions or projects to my list that I may have missed or forgotten in the hustle and bustle. Then I look forward to the week ahead. Since I just reviewed everything I have to do, I'm quickly able to see if there are any actions I can batch with upcoming events or people I'm already planning on speaking with. Then I set up syncs, meetings, and coffee chats with people I know I need to talk to or follow up with for various things.
And that's it! It may seem like a lot, but in general, the whole process only takes about an hour, and I do it during a time when we would otherwise just be hanging out watching TV or something so it feels like I'm making good use of my time.
Making It an Enjoyable Habit
Like any good habit, consistency is key. Choose a time that works for you – I'm partial to Sundays, but maybe you're more of a Friday afternoon reviewer. The important thing is to stick with it.
I'd also like to stress that this should not be an unpleasant thing. Find ways to make it enjoyable for yourself. Maybe pick your favorite time of day, or favorite setting. Perhaps do it together with a friend or your partner. Grab your notebook(s) and/or computer and get out of the house...maybe sit up at your favorite coffee shop or bakery. Just find ways to make it enjoyable.
Remember, this isn't about adding stress to your life. It's about giving yourself the gift of organization and peace of mind. Think of it as a mini-retreat for your brain – a chance to reset, refocus, and maybe even get a little excited about the week ahead.
So, are you ready to unlock your new superpower? Grab that beverage of choice, find a comfy spot, and give your to-do list the attention it deserves. Your future self will thank you – probably sometime around Wednesday when you're crushing your goals and wondering how you got so darn organized.
Happy reviewing, and may your week be as productive as it is enjoyable!
Top comments (1)
Great thoughts!