My Weekly Review & Bullet Journal Lists

This process keeps me focused on what needs to get done. My weekly review helps me see the white space areas of my week. (Or of lack space.) I am able to make margin or say no to things that are crowding me in.  

Q: How do I organize my week so that it is effortlessly working for me?

A: My Weekly Planning

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The Weekly Review & My Bullet Journal Lists 

I must plan first. The time that I spend alone with my bullet journal, my lists, and the calendar gives me focus and calm. From that planning, I am able to move forward into action and involve my kids in making decisions. 

This weekly review is where I make space for reflection. I list out all the things that I have done, what I need to do, and think about what I would like to do.

Each season of the year is different. Each month has new challenges. I need to have it all planned out in one place for reference and sanity.  

My weekly review brings me focus, gives me time during the week, and makes it possible for me to be an action mode versus planning mode.

This weekly planning saves me time during the week.

I’m no longer stopping what I’m doing to make decisions or rethink what needs to be done.

I’m also able to notice patterns and nuances when I slow down and do my planning all in one piece. I see the space in my schedule for when I need to go grocery shopping. I see that gifts need to be wrapped the night before a birthday. I see specific meals that need to be made on busy evenings.

I’m able to be more flexible during the week when I know what is expected of me and what my plans are. I can pivot more easily. [To learn more about The Pivot see this article.]

My weekly planning also helps me with communication.

I’m able to talk with my household about things that need to happen or plans for the week. I am also able to text other family or friends about plans. I can decide what events we will participate in while I have all the information in front of me.

In a previous article, we discussed this very important tool: The Monday Meeting.”We talk about things that need to be done, events that might happen, and anything we need to get ready for.”

However, those weekly Monday meetings would not be successful without my Weekly Review.

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So what does my weekly planning look like?

What kinds of things do I think about and what do I focus on?

(I’m so glad you asked… 🙂 here is my process so that you can take and tweak it for yourself.)

The Weekly Review – My Practical List:

• I look at the calendar for the next week ahead.
  • I update the digital family calendar with anything that has come up that hasn’t been entered yet.
  • I write out the schedule in my Bullet Journal.
  • I note any extras or special events that are happening that week.
  • I make a task list based on specific things that need to be done for events happening.
    • example: Get a tray of cookies from the grocery store on Monday for the PE class party happening on Tuesday. Or fill out recital form for dance class and take on Thursday.

• I also look at the list of household chores that need to be done.
  • The usual weekly chores and kid chores
  • Deep cleaning tasks, farm chores, home repair, or decluttering projects (there is always something extra..) I pick one or two to focus on per week.

• I update my task lists from previous pages.
  • What things did not get checked off?
  • What do I need to get done?
  • What can I let go of? What seemed important but now I can just skip it?

• I also look at the weather for the week.
  • This changes how I cook, our outside activities, and our outside chores.

• I look over my healthy habits, reading list, and self-care ideas.
  • What can I do for myself this week to stay healthy and grounded?
  • How can I make space for self-care and taking a daily walk?

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Weekly Review Advanced Level:

• I look at this month’s events to see if there’s any tasks that need to be done this week.
  • Do I need to order birthday gifts so they arrive on time?
  • Do I need to respond to any RSVPs?
  • What trips are coming up?

• Budget, Expenses, Bills to Pay… you know all the fun money stuff.🙂
  • Where am I at? What am I saving towards? What needs to be taken care of?

• Sometimes I review my bigger goals and plans.
  • I look at all of the roles I have and how I can be well-rounded in all the areas I am juggling.

“Moms need a weekly review just as much as a business executive. We have sports practices, volunteer dates, meals, and so much more we must accomplish in a week. The process of evaluating everything that’s upcoming in a calm manner beforehand helps us meet our commitments with peace and preparedness.”

– Mystie Winckler – see this article and podcast for more (she is a wealth of knowledge)

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What My Weekly Review is NOT:

• Setting up my expectations so that everything goes “perfectly”. – Nope! Life happens. I know that and I want to be headed somewhere so I can pivot instead of start over.
• Getting tasks done. – It is the planning, organizing, thinking, and writing down all the information. This was really hard for me at first. It felt like I was wasting my time when I could be doing all the tasks. Trust me, there is value in planning ahead.
• Solving all the world’s problems. – It is focused. What is my next right thing to do this week? What should I spend time on tomorrow? How can I prepare for our busy Thursday?

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When I take the time to do my Weekly Review I move away from a reactive state. I want to be someone who is thinking about the long-term, planning for what matters to me, and spending time in reflection. I do not want to just live each day as it comes with what is in front of me.

“The decisions we make determine where we are going.”

Pastor Chad talked about living a life of wisdom in this sermon: Better Decisions

We are expected to be action-oriented people based on the wisdom from God. Foolishness is the lack of application. We harm others and ourselves when we do not do the wise thing.
The three kinds of people:

• Those who are simple: they are just living without planning or thinking.
• Those who are wise: they know the right thing to do and they do it.
• And those who are foolish: they know what to do, but they don’t do it.

I want to be someone who lives in wisdom and is seeking after what God is calling me to do. It seems overly dramatic but my Weekly Planning helps me do that.

When I live in a reactive state I am often wasting my energy on “the squeaky wheel” (or what is fun in that moment). Not what actually matters to me or is most important.

I hope that sharing my Weekly Review process encourages you to create what works for you. I hope it brings focus, gives you time during the week, and makes it possible for you to be more effective this week.

Happy Planning! – April

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Photos by Elena Mozhvilo, Jessica Lewis, Prophsee Journals, Cathryn Lavery, and others on Unsplash

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