What is the Self Check-In?
The most successful leaders make time not only for their team but also for themselves. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day, going from one meeting to another and seemingly not having time to pick your head up and take a strategic look forward.
This weekly check-in with yourself is where you take the time to reflect on the week that just passed, to look forward to next week’s lineup of meetings, and to plan strategically what you need to accomplish versus what you have time to accomplish. I suggest setting aside an hour every Friday afternoon or Monday morning on your calendar to make sure you set up yourself and your week for success.
Here are three steps to follow when conducting your weekly self- reflection:
Reflect on the past week
Take a look at your calendar, your to-do list, and your goals to clarify what you accomplished, what you missed, what you did well, and what you’re proud of. This step is designed to help you identify gaps and celebrate successes.
Plan the week ahead
Look at your calendar for next week. What do you have coming up? What prep work do you need to do? What big projects and small tasks do you need to accomplish by the end of the week? Use these questions to make your to-do list. If you don’t have enough time to do everything on the list, look to the next paragraph.
Say no, delegate, or delay
Based on the meetings you already have on your calendar, your personal or family commitments, and the projects you need to make progress on in the coming week, you’ve likely planned more work than you have time to accomplish. Instead of telling yourself you can get it all done, be a bit more realistic and strategic. Use these four questions to determine what you are really going to get done in the week.
What takes priority?
What should you be saying no to?
What can you delegate to someone else?
What do you have to delay?
Once you’ve worked through these questions, you should have a more clearly defined plan of meetings, projects, and tasks. You’re now set up for success in the next week.
If you take the few minutes today to put each of these on the calendar, you’ll stop worrying about being there for your people because you’ve already set aside time to listen, ask, and support them on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis. Scheduling your leadership drives consistency in the way you lead, what you accomplish, and what others can expect of you as a leader. When you do this, you create a whole lot more clarity for yourself and your employees. It will give you focus while also empowering your people to own their growth.
