Winning the Week: How To Plan A Successful Week, Every Week

by Demir Bentley, Carey Bentley

How can we be working harder yet still be falling behind?

It doesn’t have to be that way. Productivity power couple Demir and Carey Bentley have shown more than 50,000 busy people how to take charge of the chaos with a groundbreaking methodology for becoming radically productive.

In Winning the Week, they reveal the core of this method, a seven-step process that radically reimagines how you plan and execute your week. With surprising and counterintuitive insights, the Bentleys show you how to escape burnout and soar to the highest levels of productivity.

Learn how to build a winning plan that creates exponential results. Remove resistance to action. Generate powerful leverage by choosing the right priority. Triage tasks ruthlessly. And stick to the plan you’ve created in the face of adversity.

Whether you’re a business owner, executive, or busy working parent, this new method is indispensable to winning on your own terms.

Genres: Productivity, Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Leadership, Personal Development

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2022

Reviews

[Sarah Skedd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book! I’ve recommended it to all my friends.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of the book during the authors’ writing process where they solicited my unbiased feedback and I bought a copy as soon as it became available. Since following the Winning the Week Method I have turned my weeks around from feeling like I was continually fighting a losing battle to feeling in control and pretty much always winning!

This is an easy read, packed with examples of how real people have implemented this method to dramatically improve their lives. By following the steps outlined here, you’ll be able to make a positive change too.

In addition to the Winning the Week Method you’ll find other ideas and techniques that you can implement to improve your workflow. There is also lots of supplementary information available on a supporting website.

If you end the week feeling like you’ve been beaten up and instead want to come out feeling on top, buy it, follow the steps and be prepared to see big changes in your life.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

No m'agrada fer generalitzacions, però començaré amb una. Hi ha un fenomen força habitual en aquesta mena de llibres sobre productivitat que és que, aparentment, només són aplicables si ets neurotípica. No és cap sorpresa que el capacitisme institucional que hi ha literalment a tot arreu es traslladi a aquest nivell també, no sigui cas. I no he vingut aquí a queixar-me del capacitisme (bé, una mica sí), però és impossible llegir sobre productivitat i no pensar en el capacitisme.

Doncs bé, sembla que molts d'aquests llibres parlen de com és d'important cuidar la salut mental, però molt sovint des del prisma de "persona neurotípica que de vegades s'angoixa una mica per la vida i s'ha de prendre el cap de setmana de descans". Molt poc sovint es contempla que la salut mental pugui ser un pilar inestable en el dia a dia, i que l'ansietat, per posar un exemple, pot venir també de les coses quotidianes, no només de la feina. I que no treballar no vol dir que immediatament estiguis descansant.

Tot això ho dic perquè, quan trobes un llibre o un consell que sí que té en compte la neurodivergència (o, si més no, que no t'exclou del panorama), doncs és un llibre per recordar i recomanar, encara que estigui escrit de la manera més sobreentusiasta i exagerada possible.

Un avís: "Winning the Week" no parla directament de neurodivergència (no sigui cas), només menciona la salut mental en diverses ocasions. Però el que sí que fa molt bé és plantejar un mètode de planificació setmanal (i diària) que es pot integrar de meravella amb altres sistemes que són essencials per una persona neurodivergent, com ara el mètode de les culleres o altres maneres de mesurar l'energia disponible. I això és molt important, perquè molts sistemes ideals de productivitat fallen quan intentes incorporar el factor de què ets una persona neurodiversa i els teus recursos són, en la majoria dels casos, molt més limitats i variables dels que tindria una persona neurotípica.

Vaig arribar a aquest llibre amb la idea d'aprendre a prioritzar tasques i planificar amb antelació per no passar-me la setmana gestionant sorpreses i coses irrellevants i acabar no tenint temps per les coses importants, i crec que té coses molt útils en aquesta línia. De fet, i aquí ja van preferències personals, trobo que combinant aquest mètode amb un organitzador visual (calendari amb dibuixets) i alguna manera d'anar avaluant l'energia disponible (o el recurs que tinguis més limitat) acaba sent un mètode força robust i útil.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I read this book: in paper form
Would I recommend this book to you? Yes. Though I might have different thoughts after implementing the system as described for a few more weeks.
How I would recommend you read this book: paper or ereader with something to take notes on.
Do I think I will reread this book? Yes, though possibly skimming for answers or inspiration rather than a cover to cover read.

I do not normally click on FB ads but I've been feeling at sea and when I saw an ad for a free masterclass on the Winning the Week method I thought I might as well see what's being offered (sold.) I did not sign up for the coaching being sold at the end but bought the book instead. I don't think I've ever before read a productivity book that inspired me to actually attempt to adopt its system completely. I read the first half of the book about planning the week and sat down and tried my hand at it immediately. A week later I finished the second half of the book on executing the plan just before my second weekly planning session. I'm seeing some improvements but mostly what I'm gaining is a real honesty with myself about how much I can accomplish in a given week. I plan to experiment with using this system for at least 4 weeks before deciding if I can or should modify it for myself.

One note: I don't know if it's just because I'm just getting started with this but I don't know how they come up with 30 minutes as the time needed for the weekly planning session. I set a timer as I started just the calendar portion (#5: Allocate time demand and supply) and it took me just over an hour.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many people told me to read the business book, Winning The Week, that I had no choice but to read it! I liked this, although I tend to read business books very slowly because there is so much information in them, that I take my time to really process everything I read before moving on to the next chapter.

When I read any business book, I always look for at least one takeaway. There were some good points here, and I definitely found myself reframing how I think about my week as I internalized the suggestions the author made. I don't think every business book will be completely relevant to each reader, but I did walk away from this with a new perspective on time management and good habits to help build a "winning week".

I liked the easy flow to this, and that there were NO GRAPHS! I hate business books with graphs! I also found the anecdotes and examples to actually be helpful rather than annoying, like so many other books. I would recommend picking this up.

[Efwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jag tror att detta specifika sätt att planera sin vecka kommer att hjälpa mig att få rätt saker gjorda i större utsträckning.

[Luz Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

Good knowledge. Content doesn't disappoint. Witty and brilliantly practical as you would expect
Demir and wife are so relatable and honest. I truly appreciate their work

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, an empowering guide to creating a life you don’t want to escape from!

Do you ever wish that you could just hit pause and find a way to catch up with life? What if you could catch up, blast forward and then design a future that you actually love – a future where you’re playing offense instead of defense?

Every week doesn’t have to be a grueling sprint that ends in exhaustion and disappointment. Winning the Week is packed with actionable steps you can start implementing today to create an easier, and more satisfying week. Every single week.

These tools have drastically reduced my anxiety, tripled my engagement with family and friends (which I’m not too exhausted to enjoy) and I’ve accomplished my goals at about 50x the rate I was before, all while living a happier and healthier life. Sounds like sorcery, I know, but measuring the trajectory of my life before learning this method and after is the definition of game changer.
If you’re ready to start winning your weeks, snagging this book is your best first step.

I received an advance copy of the book during the author's writing process where they solicited my unbiased feedback. (And then I happily bought my own print and digital copy. This stuff is gold!)

[Héctor Iván Patricio Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un gran libro, muy completo sobre productividad y planeación. El método que presenta me parece que tiene mucho sentido y me recordó y enseñó muchas cosas que hay que tener en cuenta respecto a lo que hay que tener presente para realmente poder lograr las metas que se tienen en la vida.

La verdad es que no le tenía mucha fe (por la portada), pero lo leí por la recomendación de una persona que respeto. Me llevo a practicar por lo menos tres ideas:

1. Planear la semana, porque si no me voy a ir por la vida sin realmente lograr lo que deseo.
2. Aprender cada semana de la anterior, tanto en la administración como en las tareas en sí mismas
3. Escoger y dar prioridad a tareas que hagan más fáciles las tareas siguientes

Finalmente, el libro también trata sobre cómo ejecutar el plan y las ideas, formas de pensar y habilidades que hay que tener para poder llevar a cabo lo mejor posible el plan.

Me sorprendió positivamente y espero de verdad poder aplicar las ideas que aprendí. Lo recomendaría a todos aquellos que sienten que quieren mejorar su productividad.

[Rajul Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manages to simplify so many things we complicate

It's an ecosystem that makes you win, and this book defines and simplifies every important element of that ecosystem to help you win life!

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

We'll see how it works, I may revise my review

[Michał · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a coach who designed and taught a lot of people his methods of time management and productivity, or as he puts it, “winning the week”. The book presents a very complex guide of how to plan the week, and then a couple of strategies to execute the plan successfully. It is maybe worth mentioning that the author is not devoted to telling us that we have to work non-stop, and in a maximally optimized way. Quite the contrary. He encourages the reader not to spend too much time on his job, not to plan too many things to do, and always to make sure to have time for fun during the week.

The book starts by showing the reader that the author treats the topic of the book very personally. Based on the author's story, it emphasizes how important it is not to work too much, but in a meaningful and organized way. I would not say that the writing of this introduction is very engaging, but as soon as the actual content of the book starts, things change.

In the first part of the book, there is a detailed step-by-step plan on how to plan the week. Each particular aspect of it, and its meaning, is explained in detail. The author additionally shares the stories of his clients, of his own, and also analyses some events in the world or some anecdotes. He also puts some meaningful quotes, but not motivational, as one might have expected. Additionally, he successfully cracks down the things like magical thinking and being overcommitted. I would say that he does a very good job in advertising his methods, but this only makes the text more engaging, rather than being frustrating.

I have got enthusiastic about the plan, and feel like I want to start executing at least some parts of it. I however think that in reviewing the book for that purpose, I would use some nice step-by-step recaps. Although the author puts some summarization of each chapter, it focuses more on the meaning of the particular topic and says that there were some strategies introduced, but does not mention what exactly they were. After that, it just becomes the introduction to the next chapter. I think that shortly putting actual strategies and some short step-by-step guides would be much more useful.

Concerning the second part of the book, which focuses on executing the plan created for the week, I would say that a very nice thing it does is that it explains in detail what to do with the plan. One might be a bit skeptical when the first part says that each task in the week, both related to work and joy, should have its place in the calendar. The second part however admits that executing the plan ideally is almost impossible in our chaotic world, and emphasizes that adjusting the plan during the week is necessary, but this aspect benefits from meaningful planning.

After that, I would say that the second part constitutes just a set of some random productivity strategies. A lot of them are insightful, and the overall quality of this part is good, but I would say that it does not relate that much to the first part. Surely, productivity is very important in executing the plan, but the topic is huge, and it does not have much place in the book given. I feel that there is some lack of continuity between both parts and that the book would benefit from having a more straightforward connection between how we organized the plan in the first part, and how we want to execute it.

My final objection is that the second part should be based much more on some scientific research. In the first part the author just shares his ideas, but in the second part he much more claims that he tells us some truths about productivity, which in my opinion deserves some scientific references. The book refers to some scientific experiments from time to time, but I would say that the indication of references is nonetheless poor.

The book presents a complex guide to planning the week in a very engaging way. There are a lot of insights to benefit from. I only have a couple of problems with the second part of the book, concerning the lack of references and a more straightforward connection to the first part.

[Iris Jordan]

I couldn't put it down!

I honestly felt like Demir and Carey's Winning The Week Method found me. All of the good things I've longed for came together in this book. I was intrigued having first attended the free master class. The book is so well written. The analogies had me thinking about things in different ways than expected. Most importantly, I saw real change. Things were getting done, I found new ways to merge my work and personal calendars, I felt confident because the big things were getting done! I knew I had won my week when something I was afraid to do, I found myself doing with confidence because the small wins in my weeks were building me up for it. I'm a huge fan and I highly recommend this book!

[April Baskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding!

I participated Demir and Carey’s exceptional Bootcamp a couple years ago (if you’re considering it, I highly recommend you go for it!) and this book is an OUTSTANDING refresher!

It is also a wonderful intro, which is why I recommend it to my trauma-informed leadership coaching clients at Joyous Justice!

Thank you once again, Carey and Demir! You continually inspire. It was a joy to notice a few exceptional points refinement in your teaching and philosophy—further (unnecessary) evidence that you truly practice what you teach and continue to evolve and thrive as you go!

[Dani Honeycutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the same information that is out there for free

I was excited thinking that I would get some info that hadnt already been shoved down my throat. If you are neurodivergent…..this may not work for you (as it wont work for me). The absolute bare bones message of this book is time blocking and scheduling every minute of your day. While some of the themes are great for beginners who might be absolutely lost, it’s very repetitive for those that have already been planning. If you are already planning consistently, none of this information while help you expand your planning skills. Of course, this is just my opinion.

[Donald R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winning the Week is all about Winning Your Life

Winning the Week distills winning your life principles into digestible bite pieces. Demir and Carey Bentley not only simplify complex ideas and methods but show the simplest, most synergystic, most leveraged ways to put them into practice. Applying these actionable, step by step methods will help you metamorphose into the most productive, confident and effective version of yourself. So you can reach your maximum potential and succeed far beyond anything you might have thought possible.

[Michal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Friday evening. You just finished work. You worked hard during the week, you had many meetings and many things to deal with. But you can’t easily tell what you achieved. You feel defeated, and unproductive.

Preventing this, and similar situations, is the starting point for the planning framework from the book “Winning the Week”.

I shared my thoughts after trying it for 2 months in this article: On Planning and Winning the Week

[Charles A. CALLARI III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Winning the Week is all about reclaiming control of your time in a way that actually sticks. One of my favorite takeaways was the idea of the “weekly planning session” — carving out 30 minutes every Sunday to map out your top priorities, instead of just reacting all week. Another great strategy was the “big 3” — focusing each day on the three things that actually move the needle. Super practical, zero fluff. This isn’t about hustle; it’s about getting intentional. If your calendar owns you, this book will flip the script. Total game-changer.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal, it’s all here

Comprehensive, brilliant, inspired and lived. No fluff. The whole thing is immediate and useful. This is not a book to skim or gloss over. Every aspect is covered and all the pitfalls have been navigated and laid bare. It’s an inspiring call to live your best life and get to work!

[Ursula Sedlak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book. Winning the Week is a breath of fresh air. A common sense approach to getting organized and getting things done. Tools and methods to retrain your brain to get deep work done and focus on what’s important and be in the drivers seat of your own life. I’m excited to be in this journey. Thank you Carey & Demir!

[Kianaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! The book is practical and helps you to create a routine for planning. It teaches you of planning pitfalls so that you can be aware of them and eliminate them or mitigate their potential damage.

I have been using a planning process for years, but there were some things missing. This book helped me to identify the missing links. I highly recommend it.

[Linda Lindquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

leverage your highest priority

Planning each week is something i already do. This book offers new insights into how to maximize my calendar and triage my action list to achieve my highest priority tasks with minimal effort. Well worth the read.

[Hailey Pelham · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my favorite productivity book I’ve ever read. it’s easy, the real-life examples are great, and it just makes sense. recommend for anyone (like me) who always thinks “if i just get past this week, then I’m in the clear.”

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the healthiest approach to time management I’ve seen! I’ve been an avid time blocker for a few years now, but was always a bit frustrated with it. Now I know why. I’ll approach it much differently now. Thanks, Demir and Carey!

[Ola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Framework

Just what I needed to plan and get ready for 2023! I started implementing some of the ideas and strategies in this book before I finished it and I can see improved productivity

[MariaAbroad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and actionable

This book gives very helpful and actionable tips. It helped me make a plan to take charge of my time, pick the most important tasks that bring me closer to my goals. It changed my mindset of how to get things done and feel good about it.
Highly recommend!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be fair, if this was something I really struggled with, I'd probably have given the book 5 stars. Lots of great advice, it was just kind of boring, particularly because I didn't find a lot of it applicable to my stay-at-home-mom lifestyle.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an overworked PM - the book has been incredibly helpful. I’ve started implementing ways to help me manage my time with ideas from this book and learning to set boundaries for myself. Highly recommend!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides simple, straightforward tips one can immediately implement. I’ll be recommending this book to peers.

[Olivia O'Leary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful if you're as obsessed as I am with managing what time you've got well!

[Matthew Eng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing tips to wrangle your priorities and win back your time.