Weekly review

A weekly review is a standing appointment with yourself to get back to zero: empty the inboxes, see what last week actually produced, look at what is coming, and decide what next week is for. David Allen made it the keystone of Getting Things Done, and the reason holds for any system: lists and notes only stay trustworthy if someone regularly checks them against reality.

Allen's own checklist runs in three phases (get clear, get current, and get creative). This skill uses a simpler three: clear (get everything in one place), look back (learn from the week), and look ahead (choose), so the choices at the end are made with a clear head and full information.

When to use it

• The end of the week, or a Sunday evening, as a routine.
• After a chaotic week, to regain a sense of control.
• Before a week with a big deadline, to plan around it.
• When someone says their lists are out of date and they no longer trust them.