To be productive, it's not enough just to cross completed tasks off the to-do list. It is important to keep track of which direction you are moving in and set the right goals. Regular summarizing of the week is ideal for this.
It may seem like a waste of time, but don't jump to conclusions. Reviewing the past seven days is a great opportunity for introspection. This approach will allow you to get rid of the desire for productivity for the sake of productivity, as well as build a clear and understandable path to goals.
The main purpose of this method is to figure out what went well and what, on the contrary, did not work out in the last seven days, as well as to make a plan for the next week. A simple table is suitable for this:
| + | — | → |
| A list of everything that has been completed. | Events that didn't go the way we wanted. | Tasks to be done next week. |
Try to fill in the table regularly. This will help identify productivity weaknesses and work on them.
In addition to the table, use a small "survey" — before the start of each week, ask yourself four questions that will help you monitor your stress level and progress in self-development:
As with many other healthy habits, it can be difficult to turn the analysis of the results of the week into a full-fledged ritual. A few simple steps will help you do this.
Consistency is the key to learning new habits. It is not necessary to randomly find the right time every week to summarize the results — plan it in advance and forever. For example, every Sunday at 21:00 in your room. This way you will get rid of unnecessary randomness.
Do not scold yourself if the week was not very successful, and you did not achieve even half of the goals that you set for yourself. The results of the week should be not only a look back at the past, but also a look into the future. Instead of self-flagellation, ask yourself what exactly went wrong and why, and how these mistakes can be corrected in the next seven days.
If something doesn't go the way you want, just change the order or the way you summarize the week. Try new methods or combine them with each other.
Is the new habit taking up too much time? Choose the method quickly. Is everything too dry and banal? Connect your imagination and add a little creativity, for example, get a notebook with funny stickers for the results of the week or create a board where you will attach stickers. There are a huge number of tables and other tools on the Internet to evaluate the past week. The main thing is to choose the system that is right for you.
When you start using it, you will immediately notice that the week rarely turns out the way you would like. And there's nothing wrong with that. Gradually, you will see how your weeks are getting better and more productive. It is these weeks that make up life.
