Run a quarterly focus review to refresh the lists

Revisit and rebuild both lists every quarter — priorities shift, and so should the lists.

Why it works

Fixed lists create commitment consistency, which is useful in the short run but becomes maladaptive when context changes. A scheduled review provides a pre-committed, low-friction moment to update the system without constantly second-guessing it in between — preserving the stability that makes focus possible while preventing the lists from becoming a cage.

How to do it

1. Block 90 minutes at the end of each quarter, non-negotiable.
2. Start fresh: write a new 25-item list rather than editing the old one.
3. Re-select your top 5 from the new list — carry-overs are fine, but they must re-earn their place.
4. Archive the old lists; patterns across quarters reveal your actual priorities better than any single list.

Evidence

Commitment and consistency research suggests that regular, scheduled reviews reduce sunk-cost entrenchment by providing a normative moment to change course. Building the review into the system reduces the psychological cost of updating it. (mechanistic)

The quarterly cadence is a reasonable heuristic; contexts with faster-changing priorities (early-stage startups, life transitions) may need monthly reviews.

Common mistake

Doing the review only when something feels wrong — which introduces a crisis-driven bias and means the list only updates under pressure, not under calm reflection.