Just as we have daily routines, we can implement weekly routines as well. Some examples from my life:
At the end of the work week, I like to engage in a similar shutdown process to my daily process. During this time, I update my performance management platform with any notes from 1:1s or team meetings. I check in on my waiting for’s. I renegotiate any outstanding tasks or commitments I’ve made with myself. I resolve to close my computer and not look at it until Monday (with rare exceptions for emergencies.)
In order for your brain to trust your Task Management System, you need to have a cadence for review. No matter how good you are, life has a way of coming at you faster than you can keep up. Your system will start to crack if you don’t carve out time to get things current again.
I’ve found the Weekly Review to be perhaps the most useful tool in my task management process. I do it on Saturdays alongside my wife, and use a slightly adapted version of David Allen’s process. Consider the below suggestions, but make it your own.
This reminds you what you’re setting out to accomplish this year, and reminds you what matters most in your life. This will make it much more likely that you identify projects that move these items forward. Try not to evaluate these, simply review them. The goal is to energize you about where you’re headed, not critique. You’ll have a cadence for reflecting and making tweaks at a higher horizon.