Weeknote templates II: ‘X things that happened this week’ and ‘The GBU’

Reuse these templates to help you write weeknotes.

Three women of colour sat on a sofa with their laptops open.

These are templates to help you write weeknotes. They are based on a guide by Sam Villis, so the credit is theirs, not mine.

You might like to read the DDC guide to writing weeknotes before choosing a template.

Or you can just dive in. Writing weeknotes is a lot about just giving it a go and building your confidence from there.

How to use these templates (and write a weeknote!)

1. Copy and paste a template into a new Medium post. Feel free to mix up elements of templates.
2. Add your own title. Be free, go wild. Or be simple. Include ‘Week X’ or ‘weeknote X’ in it somewhere.
3. Write as much as you like. 150–300 words is a good amount to aim for, but its OK if you write more.
4. Add images, if you wish. Its a great opportunity to share screenshots of your work. The DDC weeknotes guide shows you places to find images that are free to reuse. (Tip: start a new line, click the ‘+’ then the 📷or 🔍.)
5. Tidy it up — Double click on any word or sentence to format it (the little and big T’s are excellent for sub-headings). Remove all text from the original template.
6. Add to the DDC Medium publication (then sit back and wait for an email from me!)

Template 3: ‘[X] things that happened this week’

This template is flexible, repeatable and concise. It helps you pick out the most important things. Replace all text as you write.

Add a title for your weeknote here. It could be ‘X things that happened this week — weeknote X’ (replace the X’s with numbers)

Add an image here, by starting a new line and clicking the ‘+’ then the 📷or 🔍.

Write an introduction here. You could remind readers who you are and what your project is or where you work. Or you could say something else.

Add a subheading naming a thing that happened here

Describe what happened and why it was important here.

Add another subheading naming a thing that happened here

Describe what happened and why it was important here.

Add another subheading naming a thing that happened here

Describe what happened and why it was important here.

Do as many ‘things’ as you like — it’s completely flexible.

Template 4: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (GBU)

This weeknote helps you think about moments of your week. Use 3–4 of the moments below or choose your own e.g. good things, learned things, difficulties, achievements, or overarching feeling, highlights, lessons.

See an example.

Add a title for your weeknote here. Include ‘Week X’ or ‘weeknote X’ in it somewhere.

Add an image here, by starting a new line and clicking the ‘+’ then the 📷or 🔍.

Write an introduction here.

The good things this week

Describe one or more good things that happened this week here.

Difficulties

Describe one or more difficulties you faced this week here.

Achievements

Describe one or more things you achieved this week here.

Learned things

Describe one or more things you learned this week here.

Overarching feeling of the week

Describe the main thing you’re feeling about this week here.

Highlights

List or state some highlights of the week here.

Some puzzles

Describe any unresolved issues or problems that you’re thinking about here.

Lessons

List or state some lessons you learned this week here.

Image credit: WOCTech