An Anchor and a Map: the Importance of the Weekly Review
Imagine a boat with no anchor and no map to guide its captain…
Imagine going on a cruise on a large, beautiful riverboat. You’ve packed your belongings, parked the car and headed towards the dock. As you settle into your room, a notice comes over the PA system, alerting you that the ship will be sailing in one hour but the destination is unknown. The date to return is also a mystery as the entire staff seems to have no idea when the ship will come back. If ever.
What would you do in that moment? Stay on the boat and enjoy a mystery trip down the river? Or, would you demand a refund as the palpable feeling of danger comes over you?
I would choose the latter. No destination, no map, no clear sense of direction- that spells disaster to me. I’ll book an AirB&B instead, thanks very much…
Put bluntly, the Weekly Review (a core of the Getting Things Done productivity framework) is both your map and your anchor. It gives you a sense of where you’re going. It also grounds you (in a positive way) when life gets hectic.
The thing is- so many people I meet neglect their Weekly Review. They know they should do it but simply don’t.
I’ve spoken about the Weekly Review so many times I’m losing track:
My own team struggles with this. Many teams do. Many individuals do too. Michael Sliwinski, CEO of Nozbe, actually built the Weekly Review into his staff’s schedule. It’s that important that he structured the entire week around the Review.
Impressive.
Meg Edwards, GTD coach talks here about the hidden value of the Weekly Review. I think she echoes this concept of the Review as both an anchor and a map. The point isn’t so much to glorify the Review as it is to experience the freedom that it affords.
A week that comes after a Weekly Review feels more in control. You feel more capable to say “no” to things because you are in touch with what is already on your plate. And, most importantly, you can be more present to those God has entrusted to your care.
So my friend, when will you do your next Weekly Review?