How I Do a Weekly Review in my Planner

Why a Regular Review Matters

After years of trying different planner systems, I’ve learned that some sort of regular review is essential. Looking back over your day, week, or month helps you spot what still needs to be done—and what you meant to do but didn’t.

My Weekly and Monthly Review

I do my weekly review on Saturdays, and the first Saturday of each month doubles as my monthly review. Honestly, a quick weekly check often takes care of everything.

On that first Saturday, I do a brain dump. I write down everything I need to do, would like to do, or should do—no matter how far off it might be. Get it all out of your head and onto paper, then start processing it.

Processing the Brain Dump

You can handle your list item by item, or use a highlighter to mark what must be done in the coming week—appointments, calls, errands, and tasks. From there, transfer those items into your planner.

I usually use a week-on-two-pages layout because it gives me plenty of room to list tasks. If your days are busier, you might prefer daily pages instead.

Next, go back to the rest of your brain dump and highlight what you’d like to do in the next month using a different color. Some things go on a Next Actions list, and others get moved to a Someday list. Whether soon or later, everything finds a place. Once I’ve handled every item, I toss the list and start fresh.

My Review Routine

During my review, I check all my lists—trackers, calendars, projects, and anything else that’s important to me. It’s really just a series of quick check-ins to keep everything current and moving forward.

I also look back over the past week for unfinished tasks. I mark each task with an open circle (or box), so it’s easy to spot what’s still pending. Anything unfinished gets migrated to the next week or added to another list, like “Waiting On.”

A Quick Daily Check

Each day, I take a few minutes to glance over the previous day and see if there’s anything I missed that could be handled now. This small habit keeps things from piling up and helps me stay on track all week.

The Planner Inbox

In the front of my planner, I keep an inbox to capture things that pop into my head during the week but that I can’t deal with right away. I’ve used plain paper for this and also some nice inserts I’ve made or purchased.

The inbox works like a mini brain dump—a place to catch all those little thoughts and tasks as they come up. When it’s time for your weekly review, process those items the same way you handle your main brain dump. The important thing isn’t how it looks—it’s that you write it down!

Wrapping It Up

A review routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you make it a habit, it keeps your planner—and your mind—clear and focused. If you’d like some printable planner pages to help you set up your own system, visit my Etsy shop.or browse the free printables on my blog at PlannerFun.com. Start small, stay consistent, and enjoy the calm that comes with being prepared.