Weekly planning session

{{whyLabel}}: You cannot fix a system without knowing where it leaks; identifying current 'open loops' prevents you from carrying old chaos into a new system.

{{howLabel}}:

• List all places where tasks currently 'hide' (emails, sticky notes, Slack, mental notes).
• Identify the 'Sunday Scaries' or 'Monday Panic' triggers—what exactly makes you feel overwhelmed?
• Document which existing habits (e.g., daily to-do lists) are working and which are being ignored.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A written list of 3-5 specific friction points and a map of all current input sources is completed.]

{{whyLabel}}: A fragmented system leads to decision fatigue; you need one reliable place where all commitments live.

{{howLabel}}:

• Choose a digital task manager for flexibility (e.g., Todoist, TickTick, or Super Productivity for open-source fans).
• Alternatively, use a database-driven tool like Notion or Obsidian if you prefer linking notes to tasks.
• Ensure the tool has a 'Quick Capture' feature to get ideas out of your head in under 5 seconds.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [One primary tool is chosen and all other redundant task apps are deleted or archived.]

{{whyLabel}}: Planning is 'Quadrant 2' work (Important but not Urgent); without a fixed appointment, it will always be displaced by 'fires'.

{{howLabel}}:

• Pick a time when you are calm: Friday at 3:00 PM (to close the week) or Sunday at 7:00 PM (to start fresh) are best practices.
• Create a recurring calendar event with a 'High Priority' color.
• Define a 'Planning Sanctuary': a specific physical location or a specific playlist to trigger the planning mindset.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A recurring 60-minute appointment is visible on your primary calendar for the next 8 weeks.]

{{whyLabel}}: You cannot plan effectively if your 'inbox' is full of unprocessed noise.

{{howLabel}}:

• Create a checklist item for 'Inbox Zero' (Email, Slack, Physical mail).
• Add a 'Brain Dump' step: write down every single thing on your mind for 10 minutes.
• Include a 'Wallet/Bag Sweep' to process receipts or physical notes.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A 'Get Clear' section is added to your planning template.]

{{whyLabel}}: This step ensures your system reflects reality, allowing you to trust your lists during the week.

{{howLabel}}:

• Review the past 2 weeks of the calendar: what did you miss? What needs follow-up?
• Review the upcoming 4 weeks: what deadlines are approaching that need prep work now?
• Review 'Waiting For' list: who owes you something? Send follow-up pings.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A 'Get Current' section is added to your planning template.]

{{whyLabel}}: If you don't schedule your big goals first, the 'sand' (small tasks) will fill your week, leaving no room for progress.

{{howLabel}}:

• Define a step to identify exactly 3 'Weekly Outcomes' (High-impact goals).
• Use the 'Rule of 3': If you only achieved these 3 things, would the week be a success?
• Create a 'Someday/Maybe' review step to move non-essential ideas out of your active week.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A prioritization step is finalized in your protocol.]

{{whyLabel}}: Theory is useless without practice; the first session reveals where your checklist is too long or too vague.

{{howLabel}}:

• Follow your newly created checklist from start to finish.
• Time-block your 'Big Rocks' directly into your calendar for the coming week.
• Note any step that felt confusing or took too long.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [The first weekly plan is completed and the upcoming week is fully scheduled.]

{{whyLabel}}: Habits take time to stabilize; a defined test phase prevents premature abandonment when the 'newness' wears off.

{{howLabel}}:

• Commit to the scheduled time for 4 consecutive weeks.
• Do not change the tool during this phase—focus on the process, not the software.
• Track your 'Plan Adherence': how much of what you planned actually got done?

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [Four consecutive planning sessions are logged in your system.]

{{whyLabel}}: A system that doesn't evolve will eventually be ignored; refinement ensures long-term sustainability.

{{howLabel}}:

• After 14 days, identify which checklist items you consistently skip.
• Simplify the 'Get Clear' phase if it takes more than 20 minutes.
• Automate recurring tasks (e.g., 'Pay bills') so they appear automatically in your tool.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [The planning checklist is updated and streamlined based on 2 weeks of data.]