What Exactly Is a Weekly Review?

The concept of a weekly review originates from David Allen's book, “Getting Things Done.” The purpose is to dedicate time each week to declutter your productivity system. This involves organizing, closing out, clarifying, and renegotiating commitments with both yourself and others.

According to David Allen, it’s advisable to conduct these reviews weekly rather than annually. Your review may encompass various tasks, including:

• Updating task lists
• Adding new events to your calendar
• Setting fresh goals
• Reflecting on lessons learned over the week
• Ensuring you have adequate supplies

The Importance of Conducting a Weekly Review

The primary advantage of a weekly review is that it provides a clear understanding of your priorities and deadlines. It's unrealistic to expect your productivity system to remain perfectly organized at all times. As you hurriedly complete tasks, disorganization can creep in.

For instance, if you jot down tasks on post-its instead of maintaining a structured to-do list, chaos can ensue. The weekly review serves as a vital reset, allowing you to identify potential challenges and opportunities ahead, thus freeing you from a reactive mode and providing clarity.

Finding the Motivation for Your Weekly Review

Admittedly, engaging in a weekly review is often not enjoyable. Similar to household chores, it tends to be repetitive and can be disheartening as you confront your shortcomings. You might question why certain goals remain unachieved, and grappling with disorganized tasks can be mentally taxing.

Consequently, it’s easy to sidestep this crucial activity due to the effort it demands. However, I’ve discovered a helpful technique: enlist a supportive partner to join you, making your weekly reviews more manageable.

Here are three effective strategies to do just that:

1. Body Doubling

This approach is particularly beneficial for beginners. Body doubling entails working alongside another person, which can significantly boost your motivation. You can choose to work together in person or via a virtual meeting.

Start by discussing your goals for the session, then focus on your tasks independently. Before concluding, take a few minutes to share what you accomplished.

Consider trying platforms like focusmate.com to connect with others for body doubling sessions.

2. Mentoring

I find great value in conducting weekly reviews with my workplace mentor. When you start at a new company, you often get paired with someone more experienced who can guide you.

These mentorship meetings typically involve discussing your progress, lessons learned, and your objectives for the upcoming week. Preparing for these discussions can enhance their effectiveness.

3. Accountability Partners

Another excellent option, especially for personal projects, is to team up with an accountability partner. Similar to the previous methods, you can meet either in person or virtually.

Organize a weekly meeting lasting about an hour. Split the time evenly to support each other’s reviews, celebrating achievements, noting lessons, and planning for the next week.

Discuss any challenges, as your partner can offer valuable insights. At the end of the session, reflect on its effectiveness to ensure clear communication moving forward.

These accountability check-ins can provide the encouragement needed to carry out your weekly reviews consistently. In my experience, having a partner makes the process uplifting and empowers you to tackle even the most daunting tasks!