A weekly review is a set of best practices that, when done consistently, has the power to keep you functioning at optimal productivity. It’s a time to slow down and gain altitude over your current commitments and priorities.
If you Google “GTD weekly review” you’ll get about 1.1 Million search results. Most of those hits are articles about how to stick with the weekly review habit. It’s no surprise that most people find it challenging to keep up with the discipline of reviewing everything, every week.
Many of my clients are already familiar with the concept of a weekly review when they come to me. Time and time again, they confide in me that they haven’t been able to stick with it, and they often feel a sense of guilt about not doing it.
I’m redefining the Weekly Review
I’m asking everyone I know to re-define the weekly review. Take it off your “should” list. Take it off your “have to” list. We’re going to re-define the weekly review as a weekly delight.
Many people don’t realize that the weekly review is more than just updating your lists. There’s tremendous value in doing that regularly. However, I believe the secret power of the weekly review is celebrating yourself and your accomplishments regularly.
Effortless and Enjoyable
I challenge you to try my effortless and enjoyable weekly review. Here’s how it works:
Wrap up your week by acknowledging and appreciating yourself for 3-5 things you did well. I suggest you schedule 10 minutes near the end of your week. Put it on your calendar right now.
The size of the accomplishment does not matter. It can be as simple as:
“I appreciate myself for working on the marketing report this week.”
“I acknowledge myself for keeping calm during that tense meeting.”
“I appreciate myself for spending more time with the kids.”
“I acknowledge myself for making that dentist appointment I had been putting off.”
Self-Acknowledgment is the first step towards building a powerful weekly process.
“Creating the discipline of self-acknowledgement for your success is important. Nobody will build you up as much as you can or for that matter, put you down as much as you can. One builds success and the other leads to stress. You are your own best praiser and worst critic.” – Dr. John F. Demartini
Daily Successes
Another simple approach is to record your successes daily, then review them at the end of each week. You can keep this in your regular list manager, or try out iDoneThis.com. It’s free and it reminds you to make an entry every day. Remember to put the weekly review on your calendar because it won’t remind you of that.
Next: Get An Advisory Board
If you really want to get yourself to consistently acknowledge your wins (and perhaps also reflect on your challenges), send your week-in-review as an email to 3-5 people who can provide support and encouragement. Include your coach, if you have one, your mentor, perhaps your spouse, and 2-3 other trusted advisors.
Who’s going to be on your advisory board? Ask for their permission to update them weekly about what’s going on in your world. Let them know you’re not expecting a reply, but feedback is always welcome. This process creates accountability and support from people who have a vested interest in your success.
Remember that any weekly review is better than no weekly review. I encourage you to get started THIS week.
When you do, you’ll be taking crucial Kaizen steps towards the big Weekly Review.
