You need to be able to review the whole picture of your life and work at appropriate intervals and appropriate levels. For most people the magic of workflow management is realized in the consistent use of the review phase. This is where you take a look at all your outstanding projects and open loops on a weekly basis. It’s your chance to scan all the defined actions and options before you, thus radically increasing the efficacy of the choices you make about what you’re doing at any point in time.
What to Review When
- Looking at your calendar first
- Then your action lists
- The right review in the right context
Critical Success Factor: The Weekly Review
The Weekly Review is the time to
- Gather and process all your “stuff”
- Review your system
- Update your lists
- Get clean, clear, current, and complete
From a practical standpoint, here is the drill that can get you there
- Loose papers
- Process your notes
- Previous calendar data
- Upcoming calendar
- Empty your head
- Review “projects” (and larger outcome) lists
- Review “next actions” lists
- Review “waiting for” list
- Review any relevant checklists
- Review “someday/maybe” list
- Review “pending” and support files
- Be creative and courageous
* Source: Getting Things Done by David Allen