I am a software junkie.

I will install and try out just about any new app because I am always on the lookout for better tools that will increase my productivity by integrating into my work-flow.

But, no matter the tool, they just don't work unless I use them, and tasks fall through the cracks if I'm not careful.

That's why a huge and vital part of the GTD method is what's called the "Weekly Review".

But, regardless of what system you use for task management (if you use one at all), I recommend figuring out something that works for you that helps you take a step back, and look at the big picture.

1. Calendar

I look at the week as a whole and I ask my self questions?
What needs to get done? When does it need to be done by? What would I like to do? Am I meeting with anyone? Do I have any flex time scheduled for emergencies? Does something unimportant need to be dropped to make sure enough time is given to what is actually important?

As I ask/answer these questions, I move around all of these pre-defined blocks of time into the space on the appropriate day.

Then... and this is important... I stick to it as much as humanly possible. I have to trust my careful planning more than I trust the in-the-moment pressures to do something that I already decided was not important enough to take my time this week.

To help me with that, I set an alarm at the beginning of each block of time to remind me that it's time to move on. When it's time to switch tasks, the following object appears on my screen...

2. Task Management

When I have my blocks of time scheduled, I move on to what tasks will fill those blocks of time. For this, as you remember from a previous post, I currently use OmniFocus.

Here is one of the key points to remember... If the task that needs to be done does not fit into the scheduled blocks of time (like writing this blog post), then I am easting away at my flex time, or stealing time from other, more important tasks.

From there... I only need to look at my calendar/task list to see what to do next...

How do you do weekly review?