The most productive people don't just react to their week - they design it. A simple 30-minute weekly planning session can be the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling in control.
This system combines the best practices from GTD, time-blocking, and intentional living into one actionable checklist.
Part 1: Weekly Review (15 minutes)
Before planning next week, close out this week properly.
Clear Your Inboxes
Pro Tip: You don't have to respond to everything - just decide what each item needs (action, delegate, delete, or defer).
Review Completed Work
Reflect on the Week
Mistake: Skipping the reflection and jumping straight to planning
Instead: Reflection helps you learn and improve. Don't skip it.
Part 2: Weekly Planning (15 minutes)
Now let's design an intentional week ahead.
Review Your Goals
Your Big 3 should be specific and achievable:
Time Block Your Week
Warning: A week with no white space is a week headed for burnout. Leave room to breathe.
Plan Daily Themes (Optional)
Some people find it helpful to assign themes to each day:
Prepare for Success
The Weekly Planning Template
Copy this to your notes app:
Tips for Success
Best Time to Plan
Pick one time and protect it fiercely.
Make It Enjoyable
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Planning every minute of every day
Instead: Plan your priorities; leave flexibility for the rest
Mistake: Only planning work tasks
Instead: Include personal goals, relationships, health, and rest
Mistake: Setting 10+ weekly priorities
Instead: Less is more. 3 meaningful outcomes beat 10 half-finished tasks
Quick Version (10 minutes)
Pressed for time? Here's the essential checklist:
What Happens Without Weekly Planning
What Happens With Weekly Planning
The 30 minutes you invest in planning will save you hours of wasted time and stress. Your future self will thank you.
Start this Sunday. Your best week awaits.
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