Weekly Review Ritual

Overview

The Weekly Review is a dedicated time each week (typically 1-2 hours) to review your commitments, accomplishments, and priorities. It's a cornerstone practice in Getting Things Done (GTD) and helps maintain clarity and control over your work and life.

When to Do It

Most people find Friday afternoon or Sunday evening works best:

• Friday: End the week with clarity, start weekend relaxed
• Sunday: Prepare for the week ahead, reduce Monday anxiety

Choose a consistent time and protect it like an important meeting.

The Weekly Review Process

1. Get Clear (30 minutes)

• Collect loose papers and materials
• Process all inboxes to zero (email, notes, messages)
• Capture all new tasks and ideas
• Review notes from meetings and calls

2. Get Current (30 minutes)

• Review your calendar (past week and next 2 weeks)
• Review action lists and project lists
• Update project status
• Check waiting-for list
• Review someday/maybe list

3. Get Creative (15 minutes)

• Review goals and objectives
• Identify new projects or opportunities
• Brainstorm solutions to obstacles
• Capture creative ideas

4. Plan Ahead (15 minutes)

• Set priorities for the coming week
• Schedule important tasks
• Identify potential obstacles
• Prepare for key meetings and deadlines

Key Questions to Ask

Looking Back:

• What went well this week?
• What didn't go as planned?
• What did I learn?
• What should I stop/start/continue?

Looking Forward:

• What are my priorities for next week?
• What might derail my plans?
• What meetings/events need preparation?
• What's the ONE thing that would make next week a success?

Benefits

• Prevents things from falling through the cracks
• Reduces mental clutter and stress
• Provides perspective on progress
• Identifies course corrections early
• Ensures alignment with goals
• Starts each week with clarity and purpose
• Builds trust in your system

Making It Stick

• Schedule it as a recurring calendar event
• Find a quiet, comfortable space
• Use a consistent checklist or template
• Turn off notifications during review
• Celebrate the week's accomplishments
• Make it enjoyable (good coffee, music, etc.)
• Track your weekly review streak