End every review with a single resolved next action

The review is incomplete until you name one specific thing you will do differently tomorrow.

Why it works

Reflection without resolution is an intellectual exercise that produces insight without behavior change. The resolution step converts the insight from the review into a concrete behavioral intention — and implementation intentions (specific when-where-what plans) are among the most robustly studied tools for improving follow-through on intentions. Closing the review with a specific next action gives the insight a behavioral form it can inhabit.

How to do it

1. At the end of the review, ask: "Given what I saw tonight, what is one specific thing I will do differently tomorrow?"
2. Make the resolution concrete: "When X happens tomorrow, I will do Y."
3. Write it down.
4. The following evening, check whether you did it — and note the result as the opening data point for the next review.

Evidence

Implementation intentions have strong evidence for improving follow-through; a large meta-analysis found they substantially increase the probability of acting on intentions, especially for difficult behaviors. Gollwitzer and Sheeran’s meta-analysis of 94 independent tests found a medium-to-large effect of forming a specific when-where-what plan on goal attainment, which is why closing the review with exactly that kind of plan matters more than a vague resolution. (rct)

The Gollwitzer/Sheeran meta-analysis is for implementation intentions generally; its application here as the final step of a review is a principled extension.

Sources

• Gollwitzer, P.M. & Sheeran, P. (2006), Implementation intentions and goal achievement: A meta-analysis, Advances in Experimental Social Psychology
• Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2006). Implementation intentions and goal achievement: A meta-analysis of effects and processes. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 69-119.

Common mistake

Resolving something vague ("be more patient tomorrow") rather than a specific when-where-what plan, which is no different from a good intention and produces the same failure rate.