The Goal

The most powerful habit you can develop as a founder is a one-hour weekly planning process. This practice gives you the space to step back, assess progress, and ensure your actions align with your business goals. With so many moving parts—projects, partnerships, marketing efforts—it’s easy to get lost in the daily grind. Weekly planning brings clarity, allowing you to move forward with intention and impact.

The Background

Entrepreneurs pour energy into action, but without a system to review what’s working and what’s not, momentum can stall. A structured planning session allows you to:

• Celebrate wins and progress.

• Refocus on top priorities.

• Assess project status and next steps.

• Strengthen key relationships.

• Ensure you’re making space for personal fulfillment.

This process isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about making sure what’s on your plate truly matters.

Ingredients to Implement this Recipe

To implement this system effectively, you’ll need:

• A set time each week – Fridays from 11–12 PM work well

• A structured framework to review priorities, projects, people, promotion, and personal well-being.

• A system to track progress (such as a Notion dashboard, planner, or CRM).

• A mindset of reflection and intention, rather than reactive execution.

The Steps to Implement the Weekly Planning Process

Step 1: Start with Celebration

Every great planning session begins with gratitude. Reviewing your weekly wins shifts your focus from what’s unfinished to what’s been accomplished. Whether it’s closing a deal, making a key hire, or improving an internal system, celebrating progress builds confidence and momentum.

• Log your wins throughout the week (in a Notion database or journal).

• Reflect on how these wins contribute to your bigger vision.

• Recognize your team’s contributions and share gratitude.

Step 2: Refresh Your Priorities

Entrepreneurs juggle multiple priorities, but not all tasks drive real results. Each quarter, you should have 2–5 key priorities that define your focus. This weekly session is about assessing progress and potential risks.

• Review your top priorities and their next milestones.

• Identify risks or roadblocks slowing down execution.

• Ensure your projects align with these priorities.

Step 3: Review and Align Your Projects

Your projects are the tangible actions that bring priorities to life. Without clear check-ins, projects drift, deadlines slip, and resources get wasted.

• List all active projects and their current status.

• Identify the next key step for each project.

• Assign ownership and ensure alignment with overall business goals.

Step 4: Strengthen Your Key Relationships

Your network is your most valuable asset. Each week, review your ecosystem—clients, partners, team members, vendors—and ensure you’re maintaining momentum in key relationships.

• Follow up on commitments and open conversations.

• Check CRM or contact database for pending check-ins.

• Schedule outreach to maintain strong connections.

Step 5: Prioritize Fun and Personal Growth

The best leaders create space for personal fulfillment. A business that drains you isn’t sustainable. End your session by making sure you’re scheduling what lights you up—whether that’s time with family, creative pursuits, or well-being habits.

• Ensure your personal calendar has space for joy.

• Plan at least one activity that fuels you for the week ahead.

• Discuss with your team how they’re integrating work-life balance.

Preparation Notes

• If you’re new to weekly planning, start small—just reviewing wins and setting priorities can have a big impact.

• Use a digital template (like the FIRST system in Notion) to streamline the process.

• Consider joining a weekly co-working session to stay accountable and refine your system.

The Impact

This process directly improves organization and actualization within your business:

• Aligns team and business objectives for smoother execution.

• Prevents wasted effort on low-impact work.

• Strengthens relationships that drive long-term growth.

• Keeps personal well-being at the center of success.

How to Keep Moving with MDM

If you want guided support, join our co-working sessions on Fridays (11–12 PM EST), where we walk through this process together. Or, grab the FIRST system template to integrate these principles into your Notion dashboard.

Start your next week with clarity and momentum—your future self will thank you.