New week.
Many ideas.
Energy high.
Focus thin.
Do three moves.
Every Monday.
Small. Clear. Repeatable.
Map. Slice. Block.
A short story
A marketing lead started each week with a long meeting.
Ideas piled up.
Nothing shipped.
We tried this routine.
Map. Slice. Block.
By noon Monday the first draft was out.
By Thursday two projects were done.
Why ideas stall
- No single outcome for the week.
- Tasks are vague.
- Calendar is full of other people’s plans.
- Work happens between meetings, not inside focus blocks.
- No daily review to correct course.
Fix the start of the week.
The rest follows.
Step 1: Map 20 minutes
See the whole week on one page.
- Write the three outcomes that would make this week a win.
- For each, write the finish line in one sentence.
- List the minimum proof you need for each outcome.
- Park everything else in a Parking Lot.
Questions that help
- If I only finish these three, will the week matter.
- What is the smallest version that still creates real value.
- What do I need from others to finish.
Step 2: Slice 15 minutes
Turn each outcome into work you can finish.
- For Outcome 1, pick one slice you can complete in 60 to 90 minutes.
- Write a clear definition of done.
- Repeat for Outcome 2 and 3.
- Order the slices. 1, then 2, then 3.
Done looks like
- Draft ready for feedback.
- Query runs and returns result X.
- Page built and opens without errors.
- Email sent to A, B, C with link.
Step 3: Block 10 minutes
Protect time on the calendar.
- Book two focus blocks today. 60 to 90 minutes each.
- Put Slice 1 in Block 1. Slice 2 in Block 2.
- Turn off alerts in those blocks.
- Add short buffers before and after for context switch.
Say it like this
- To a peer: “I am on the pricing draft 9 to 10:30. I can review your item at 3.”
- To your boss: “These are my three outcomes. If I add this, which one should drop.”
- To yourself: “Start the slice. Do not perfect it. Ship the first version.”
Your Monday Card (print this)
Week Outcomes
1)
2)
3)
Today’s Slices
1)
2)
Parking Lot
•
Requests to others
• Owner + date
End of day note
What moved. What is next.
The noon check
At 12:00 ask:
- Did I finish Slice 1.
- What blocked me.
- Do I need a decision or info.
- Do I start Slice 2 or fix the block.
Adjust. Continue.
For managers
- Publish the team’s three outcomes by 10 am Monday.
- Kill one meeting that does not drive those outcomes.
- Approve fast. Decide fast.
- Praise finished slices. Not long hours.
For remote teams
- Share Monday Cards in a channel.
- Keep decisions in one doc.
- Use short Looms for context.
- Replace status calls with “What moved” notes.
Common traps
- Ten priorities. Pick three.
- No definition of done. Write the finish line.
- Calendar controls you. Block focus first.
- Starting new before finishing old. Limit to two active items.
- Endless polish. Ship a slice. Then improve.
Tiny scripts you can copy
- “No agenda, no meeting. Can we make this a decision note.”
- “I will send a V1 by 11. Expect rough. Please comment on structure.”
- “This does not move the weekly outcome. Let us park it for Friday.”
Tiny action now
Open your calendar.
Book two focus blocks today.
Write one slice with a clear done.
Start the first block now.
Ship before noon.
The bigger frame
Awareness maps what matters.
Leadership says no to the rest.
Execution puts time on the calendar and finishes.
Map. Slice. Block.
Every Monday.
Progress by design.