A Different Kind of Productivity Book
What if your weekly review could be faster, more visual, and more motivating? A simple table I discovered in Anne-Laure Le Cunff’s new book, Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World, changed the way I reflect each week—and I think it might help you too.
Although it’s marketed as a productivity book, it’s not your typical productivity book.Anne-Laure Le Cunff is not your typical productivity writer, but a neuroscientist. Her writing stems from her work, and as a result, she tends to approach things from a unique perspective.
What Is Plus, Minus, Next?
One of the concepts in the book that resonated with me the most was her suggestion to use a Plus Minus Next table for weekly reviews. In the Plus category, you list what worked; in the Minus category, what didn’t go so well; and in the Next section, what you will do next.
“Any experience constitutes valid information to include in your Plus Minus Next review. The idea is to capture a snapshot of your mind. That includes celebrations, questions, emotions—all viewed from a metacognitive perspective.”
Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Tiny Experiments
The concept isn’t a new idea. For instance, David Sparks’ Productivity Field Guide suggested these same review questions for weekly reviews: “I ask myself, “How’d I do last week?” And, “What do I want to accomplish next week?”
What makes Anne-Laure Le Cunff’s approach different is that it’s implemented in a graphical table, rather than using narrative questions and answers. I found that the graphical view speaks to me in a way that writing narrative answers to questions doesn’t. I’m a visual learner, and the table format facilitates my comprehension of this information, allowing me to easily grasp how everything fits together.
Filling Out the Table: A Quick Guide
1. Who is this good for?
This method is great if you…
• Are a visual thinker.
• Feel stuck with your current review process.
• Want something lightweight but reflective.
2. Should I use the table in a digital or analog format?
Anne-Laure Le Cunff suggests that you draw the table on a piece of paper the first time you try it. After that, it’s up to you. I included it in a digital Weekly Review Template in the NotePlan app.
3. What type of information should I put in each category?
• Plus – Reflect on accomplishments, achievements, and moments of joy in work, relationships, hobbies, and homelife. Express gratitude for meaningful relationships, health, and home comforts.
• Minus – Acknowledge challenges, mistakes, neglected areas, and negative emotions experienced.
• Next – Use your insights from the Plus and Minus columns to shape actions. Build on positive observations, take action to address negative ones.
Your Turn: Try Plus, Minus, Next
When I read about the Plus Minus Next approach, I immediately added the table to my weekly review.
It makes tracking and summarizing the positives and negatives of my weeks easy, and invites me to take action in response. I look forward to filling out the table, reflecting on the prior week, and planning my responses.
How can you implement plus minus next in a way that helps you?
AI Note: I wrote this blog post myself, using my own words and thoughts for the initial draft. I used AI only to suggest headlines, section headings, and text improvements.
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