The Weekly Review

This is the habit that makes GTD actually work. Skip it and your lists rot, your trust in the system erodes, and you quietly go back to juggling everything in your head. Block 30-45 minutes once a week — Friday afternoon works well — and protect it.

Run through five passes:

• Empty every inbox — Email, paper, notes app, voicemail. Process to zero.
• Review active projects — Is each one moving? What's the next action?
• Scan your calendar — Look back two weeks and ahead two weeks. Anything need prep?
• Check your Waiting For list — Chase up whatever you've delegated.
• Brain dump — Five minutes catching anything still rattling around.