Far too often what is termed a “weekly review” is actually a planning session for the next week. A true review takes a look at what already has happened, as well as what is coming. The definition of review from Dictionary.com says that review means “a viewing of the past”. This looking back is important, but few do it, unless it has bearing on what is coming next.
I have found that a series of questions designed to review the past week is crucial. In the first place, it fixes the events of the week in my mind. Too often the little details get lost in the rush and busyness of the passing days. Secondly, it gives me valuable insight to how I am living my life. Not in the sense of what I accomplished, but in the meaning behind it.
To that end, I give you ten questions that I try to ask myself each week as I prepare for the next.
What did I complete?
I am often in the mindset of “what’s next” because I perceive my task list as a towering monolith ready to topple over on me. I finish a project, and no matter how big or small, I move right on to the next thing. Asking myself what I completed makes me realize that I am making progress, rather than treading water.
What went well?
Thanks to early conditioning, I am much more apt to look for, and see, the negative in my life. Reminding myself that a good outcome is just as likely as a bad one is something that I work on every day. Asking myself what went well during the week allows me to seek out and focus on the positive. This is not something that comes naturally nor easily, so it is a great mental exercise as I try to develop more positivity.
How can I build on that momentum?
Sometimes, a completed project that went well can spin off other projects that will take advantage of the momentum. For instance, finishing my first novel inspired me to start jotting down ideas for another. However, if I don’t stop and think about it, I will just forget about it, or think “oh, I need to…” and that’s the end of it.
What could I have handled better?
I am a very flawed human, and I sometimes struggle to have positive interactions. I don’t always succeed , although my percentage is going up. This question is one I ask myself in order to learn from my mistakes – and to determine if I need to make amends.
What took me out of my comfort zone?
The comfort zone means stasis. Stasis means no growth. I don’t want to be stuck in the same life without change, and that means I have to force myself to get outside of my comfort zone. Asking myself what took me out of the comfort zone also means that I look at why it was uncomfortable. This gives me a lot of insight about my fears, anxieties and such.
What did I do about the things that matter most?
I have observed, both in my life and in others I work with, that we have a tendency to get caught up in the day-to-day, and the really important stuff languishes. If I didn’t make an effort, I would not be spending time on the important things of family, growth, spirituality and self-care.
How was I kind/compassionate?
The more I look around me these days, the more I see a need for more kindness in the world. Same with compassion. I may not be able to completely understand someone else’s viewpoint or life experience, but I can be compassionate for where they are.
What was the most enjoyable thing I did?
There was a time in my life when depression clouded everything in my life. I know that I have to monitor myself for the signs that I am going down that path; the first thing to go for me is enjoyment. I know that if I can’t find anything enjoyable in the past week, that I am creeping on to thin ice, and I can take action by calling my doctor or doing the other things that work for me.
What did I do to counter negative self-talk?
Along with looking at what went well, I also need to make sure that I’m not slipping back into habitual negative self-talk. The person I am hardest on in the world is me, and I am working to break free of this habit. Habitual negative self-talk won’t go away on its own, though, and it takes effort on my part to counter it. This is a check-in to see how I am doing.
What have I been putting off and why?
We all procrastinate. The question is what are we procrastinating on, and more importantly, why? By knowing what I am putting off, and why, I can take steps to counter it and get it done. This question makes it into the list because it is something I don’t necessarily consider when planning the next week; I just move the tasks forward. Procrastination doesn’t grow to be a big thing if I can identify the root causes.
It’s important to look back at the past week in order to gauge where you are in areas you might not normally consider. Once you have taken the look back, you will have a clearer picture of going forward.
