Weekly brain dump: the Sunday reset
A weekly brain dump handles the backlog a daily dump cannot see: items pushed forward all week without a decision. Four passes — everything left over, what moved, what kept getting pushed, what next week needs — then sort every line into today, waiting, someday, or drop. Dump first, plan second.
A weekly brain dump surfaces the backlog daily dumps miss — the items quietly pushed forward all week. Four passes, one sort, twenty minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a weekly brain dump?
A weekly brain dump is a longer, backlog-focused version of a daily dump. It surfaces leftovers, wins, and items that have been pushed forward repeatedly, then forces a decision on each one before any planning happens.
When should I do a weekly brain dump?
Whenever your week resets — Sunday evening and Friday afternoon are the two most common choices. The key is doing it before you plan the coming week, not after.
How long does a weekly brain dump take?
About twenty minutes: ten for the unfiltered pass, five for the remaining prompts, and five to sort every line into today, waiting, someday, or drop.
What is the difference between a weekly brain dump and a weekly review?
The dump produces the raw material; the review turns it into a plan. Doing the review without the dump means planning around only the items you happen to remember.
What do I do with items that keep getting postponed?
Anything that has moved three days in a row needs a decision, not a new date. Three options: do it this week, hand it to someone else, or drop it deliberately.