Comments on: How I learned to be my own assistant and love the GTD Weekly Review

By: Nacho Jordi

Nacho Jordi — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:01:35 +0000

Great inspiration. This post made me realize that maybe I was beating too hard upon myself during the weekly review, for all the stuff not done.
I have been a GTD’er for a year and a half now, and the weekly review is still the part that takes more willpower to stick to, even in spite of that lovely feeling you mention, once you’re through. I think your imaginative approach will be a great help. Thank you.

By: Lynn O'Connor

Lynn O'Connor — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:27:49 +0000

I echo all the remarks above –this is a brilliant idea, and one I plan to implement today, as my weekly review is on my list for today. Too often it’s there and I don’t do it; this slight reframing is ingenious. It reminds me to check in with my assistant as well –I am really working on learning to delegate more systematically. I have been looking over the new implementation guide as well, a review of the whole GTD process. Last week I sat with my primary research assistant as we both did a mind sweep; I found most items there were already in my “trusted system” which is Omnifocus at the moment. My computer has been quirky, so I am thinking about going back to online Vitalist, but I sure love Omnifocus. I wish it had an online version. Your idea is so compelling, it’s inspiring, perhaps particularly to those of us who find it difficult to really do our weekly review.

I too have a daily meditation (and more) practice, and it has been very good for me. As for nature –I am convinced that we, and I mean at least us knowledge workers, suffer from what I’m calling “nature deficiency.” It’s effecting our moods, productivity, and even our blood chemistry. We don’t get enough sunlight, so we are vitamin D deficient, we don’t get enough exercise so our “brain derived neurotrophic factor” gets too low and we are vulnerable to neuronal death –more exercise and we have neurogenesis. We were designed to live in the natural world and living inside our computers, our offices (home or outside the home), we are probably deficient in many things we don’t even know about.

Thanks for a really brilliant idea that I think is going to change my weekly review, and my willingness to do consistently do it.

By: Cori Bergeron

Cori Bergeron — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 03:27:24 +0000

I have to thank you for this post. I’ve never considered planning as if for someone else but it resonates for me. I can’t wait to give it a try!

Thanks – Cori

By: Bob Stocking

Bob Stocking — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 18:20:24 +0000

I also think doing a Weekly Review outside is a great idea. I also think it may go beyond novelty, as Vivian suggests. I just finished Nicholas Carr’s “The Shallows,” which I strongly recommend. One of his final points is that there is evidence suggesting that time with nature allows our brains to do “deep thinking” better–the kinds of reflection and contemplation that make the Weekly Review so powerful for GTD’ers. Even looking at pictures of nature can have a similar effect. I’m going to give this a try myself and see what I notice.

By: Paul Garth

Paul Garth — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:46:00 +0000

That’s an ingenious re-frame – externalizing the Weekly Review onto an Imaginary Personal Assistant. This is just what I’m needing right now.

I’m now imagining being President Jed Bartlett on “The West Wing” barking “What’s Next?” to Charlie. If the President can have a BodyMan, so can I.

Thanks for your post.

Paul

By: Vivian

Vivian — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:11:28 +0000

As others have said, this is a GREAT way to think about the Weekly Review! I am a big fan of reframing things in ways that allow us to break free from psychologically-induced “action paralysis.”

I also love that Tony did his Weekly Review on the beach! It reminds me of what Cal Newport calls “Adventure Studying.” He suggests that our brains crave novelty, and an inspiring environment helps us to engage and work more creatively — and just maybe, even to enjoy it! I never thought to apply it to the Weekly Review, though. Maybe I’ll grab my laptop and do my next Weekly Review at a state park…

By: Carolyn J. Sullivan

Carolyn J. Sullivan — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:37:25 +0000

Glad the article was useful – it certainly did really improve my level of success with the Weekly Review when I shifted my thinking about it…!

By: Cheryl A. Lowitzer

Cheryl A. Lowitzer — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:26:52 +0000

Ahhh, Carolyn, what an INSPIRED and INSPIRING way to position the weekly review. As someone who encourages & supports others in their quest to end each day feeling productive, happy & at peace, it can sometimes be a challenge to “walk the talk”, lol! What I appreciate most about your post Carolyn are the comments about the value of clarity when it comes to delegating to my “assistant” and the reminder to ask “what’s the desired outcome”.

With gratitude,
CAL
Cheryl A. Lowitzer

By: Paul Zagaeski

Paul Zagaeski — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:35:03 +0000

The concept you present here — the weekly consultation with the “assistant” to assess and delegate specific tasks in service of the big picture — really clarifies what a Weekly Review can mean. I too often put off the Weekly Review with the excuse that it will only reveal how little I’ve accomplished. It’s great to have a different, better way to think of it. Many thanks!

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:59:38 +0000

A great reminder. I’ve recently felt quite overwhelmed and exhausted, especially as I’m dealing with a partner who has recently suffered a severe stroke. So I’m getting two lives ‘done’. I just spent some time by the beach doing a brain dump and weekly review and feel much better.This system really helps your mental health – it’s not just an organizational device.