⏱️ Time: 30-60 min/week | 🎯 Difficulty: Beginner | 📈 ROI: Quick Win | ✅ Status: Active
Weekly Review
Harvard research found that reflection improves performance by ~23% (Di Stefano et al., 2014). The weekly review is the most important hour of your week. It’s where you stop running and check the map.
When & Where
- When: Same time each week. Friday afternoon or Sunday evening work well.
- Where: Quiet. No interruptions. Phone off.
- Duration: 30-60 minutes
Protect this time like an important meeting. It is one.
The Process
1. Clear The Inbox (10 min)
Empty to zero:
- Email inbox
- Task inbox
- Notes/captures from the week
- Physical inbox (papers, mail)
Everything gets: deleted, filed, delegated, scheduled, or added to task list.
2. Review The Past Week (10 min)
Look at your calendar and completed tasks:
- What got done?
- What didn’t? Why?
- What took longer than expected?
- What went well that I should repeat?
- What went poorly that I should change?
Capture insights. Celebrate wins.
3. Review Goals & Projects (10 min)
For each active project:
- What’s the next action?
- Is it on track?
- What’s blocking progress?
For goals:
- Am I making progress?
- Is this still the right goal?
4. Plan Next Week (15 min)
- Review upcoming calendar
- Identify the week’s 3-5 key outcomes
- Schedule deep work blocks for MITs
- Batch shallow work
- Add buffer time
5. Mental Clear (5 min)
Ask:
- What’s on my mind that I haven’t captured?
- What am I avoiding?
- What needs to change?
Write it down. Get it out of your head.
The Checklist
[ ] Inbox zero (email, tasks, notes)
[ ] Calendar reviewed (past + upcoming)
[ ] Projects reviewed (next actions clear)
[ ] Goals reviewed (on track?)
[ ] Week planned (MITs scheduled)
[ ] Mind swept (anything else?)
Success Metrics
- Weekly objectives completion: 80%+
- “I feel in control” rating: Improving
- Surprises/emergencies: Decreasing
- Clarity on what matters: High
One hour of review saves ten hours of reaction. Stop running. Check the map.
Di Stefano, G., Gino, F., Pisano, G. P., & Staats, B. R. (2014). Learning by Thinking: How Reflection Aids Performance. Harvard Business School Working Paper, 14–093.