The GTD weekly review process explained step-by-step. Get clear, get current, and get creative about your week.
David Allen, author of "Getting Things Done," calls the weekly review the "critical success factor" for GTD. He's not exaggerating. Skip it for a few weeks and watch your system fall apart.
But here's the problem: most people find the weekly review overwhelming. They skip it because it feels like a chore. This guide will show you how to do it efficiently and even make it something you look forward to.
Without regular reviews, several things happen:
The weekly review fixes all of this. It's the reset button that keeps everything working.
David Allen breaks the weekly review into three phases: Get Clear, Get Current, and Get Creative. Here's how each works.
This phase is about capturing everything that's been floating around uncaptured and processing it into your system.
Gather all those sticky notes, receipts, business cards, and random scraps into one pile. Put them in your physical inbox.
Go through your email inbox, physical inbox, and any other inboxes (Slack, notes app, etc.). For each item, decide:
Do a brain dump. What's been nagging at you? What did you tell someone you'd do? What's on your mind that hasn't been captured? Write it all down and process each item.
This phase ensures all your lists and systems are up to date and nothing has slipped.
Past week: Did anything create new actions? Do you need to follow up on meetings?
Coming weeks: What's on the horizon? What prep work is needed?
Go through every list (next actions, waiting for, someday/maybe). Check off what's done. Remove what's no longer relevant. Add what's missing.
For every active project, ask: What's the next action? Is this project still relevant? Is it stuck? Every project needs at least one clear next action.
What are you waiting on from others? Does anything need a follow-up? Add follow-up actions where needed.
This phase lifts your perspective from tasks to the bigger picture.
Look at your 1-year, 3-year, or longer-term goals. Are your current projects and actions moving you toward them?
Is there anything you're now ready to activate? Anything that should be deleted?
Are there new ideas to capture? Projects you've been avoiding? Dreams you haven't acknowledged?
Use these questions to guide your review:
There's no "correct" time, but common choices are:
If your weekly review feels like a chore, you'll skip it. Here's how to make it something you look forward to:
Go to your favorite coffee shop. Put on specific music. Make a special drink. The ritual creates positive associations.
A 30-minute review done every week beats a 2-hour review you skip. Start with the essentials and expand only if needed.
Celebrate wins from the past week. Note what you're grateful for. End the review feeling good, not stressed.
Don't reinvent the process each time. Use a checklist (like the steps above) so you can move through it efficiently.
Funtasking builds weekly review thinking into its core design through the Purpose Wheel. Instead of just reviewing tasks, you review your life balance across 8 key areas:
This broader view prevents the common trap of having a "productive" week at work while everything else falls apart. Funtasking's gentle approach also means you don't feel guilty about areas that got less attention - you just notice them and adjust for next week.
Funtasking helps you track life balance so your weekly review covers the whole picture.
Try Funtasking Free
Choose a purpose: Body, Work, People, Learning, Play, and more
Visual timeline, active tasks, coins earned, and daily balance
15 min = 1 coin. Save up for trips, gadgets, or a lazy day
Track time across life areas. Get warned before burnout hits
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