Everyday productivity
Build a watchlist for a topic you follow
You will have a watchlist with a reason for each item and a monthly review date.
Before you start
- A topic you want to follow, such as a technology, an industry or a hobby
- A spreadsheet or notes app
What a watchlist is for
A watchlist helps you notice change in a field without reading everything. It is a way of paying attention, not a list of recommendations.
If your topic involves money, such as shares, this guide does not give financial advice. Check facts yourself and speak to a qualified adviser before you invest.
Step 1: Build the list
I want to follow [topic]. Suggest ten things worth tracking, such as organisations, products or ideas. For each, give one sentence on why it matters and one public source to check. Mark anything you are unsure about. Do not make predictions or recommendations.
Visit each source to confirm the item exists and the facts are right.
Step 2: Write your reason
In a spreadsheet, add a column called “Why I follow this” and a column called “What would change my mind”.
Step 3: Review monthly
- Put a date in your calendar.
- Check each source for news.
- Remove an item that no longer matters and add one that does.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating the list as advice
- Taking an assistant’s facts without a source
- Tracking so many items you stop checking
- Making decisions about money from a chat
Final checklist
- Each item has a public source
- Each has a reason
- I set a monthly review
- I did not treat the list as advice