How One Alumni Transformed His Weekly Review

“The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” — Stephen Covey

One of the most rewarding aspects of Groundwork is hearing from alumni who have taken the practices we've taught and adapted them to transform their personal and professional lives. This week, I’m sharing an email I received from Chad DeAbreu at his company TradeBrain, who discovered a simple yet profound way to enhance his Weekly Review process—and his relationship.

Here’s what Chad shared:

“Each week, as I'm working with my calendar and planning my week, I write a lovely message to Blaire (my fiancée), letting her know what I'm up to this week. Things like when I'll be traveling, when I've got a massive morning of meetings (l may be cranky), what she and I have planned together, dog walks, etc.

This helps her plan her week and manage expectations for our home life. It's given her more clarity and reduces the need for daily check-ins.

I communicated this to one of my business partners who was struggling with this with his wife, and he was super stoked, so I thought I'd share with you.”

The Groundwork Weekly Review: More Than Just a Solo Practice

The Groundwork Weekly Review is to help you untangle complexity, plan with intention, and create clarity for the week ahead. But as Chad’s email highlights, it’s also an incredible tool for building stronger connections with the people who matter most.

By incorporating a small yet thoughtful step into his review process, Chad turned a practical habit into a gesture of care and communication—one that not only helps him stay organized but also supports Blaire in planning her own week.

I’ve personally coached many couples to plan their weeks together. It’s amazing how much more ease it creates for the entire household.

This simple adjustment:

• Fosters collaboration. Sharing your schedule and expectations creates alignment and eliminates unnecessary back-and-forth.
• Strengthens relationships. A proactive message like Chad’s shows thoughtfulness and a willingness to share the mental load of planning.
• Reduces friction. Managing expectations upfront minimizes misunderstandings, last-minute surprises, or conflicts.

Make It Your Own

Chad’s example reminds us that small changes to how we approach our Weekly Review can lead to significant results. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• For your partner: Send a message outlining your key commitments, big stressors, and shared plans for the week. Ask about their week too!
• For your team: Plan the upcoming week together on Monday mornings – it will help everyone align and collaborate more effectively.
• For yourself: Review your Focus Areas first thing during the Weekly Review. Use the time to reflect on how you can bring more intentionality to your priorities, rather than just what’s already in the calendar. 

Take the Next Step

As Chad so beautifully demonstrated, the Weekly Review isn’t just about managing your time—it’s about managing your life with care and intentionality.

If you’ve made a tweak to your practice that’s had a big impact, we’d love to hear about it! 

Here’s to building habits that go beyond productivity and create meaningful connections—one week at a time.