Look, we get it.
It’s one thing to read about a system.
It’s another to see it in action.
If you’re asking, “But what does this actually look like in real life?”, you’re not alone.
And unlike most systems that hide behind paywalls or polished graphics, we’re about to show you exactly how real people are using the DROP System — in notebooks, on whiteboards, on iPads, in kitchen corners, and scrappy desktops.
Because DROP wasn’t built in a boardroom. It was built during breakdowns. In the trenches. Between school runs and sales calls. During 15-minute planning windows and 3am clarity dumps.
So in this post, we’re going to walk you through:
- Real user setups
- Examples of how people apply each part of DROP
- Variations based on lifestyle (business owner, employee, parent, creative)
- Why the format doesn’t matter — the rhythm does
Let’s get visual.
The Foundation: One Simple 2-Page Weekly Planner
At the core of the DROP System is a 2-page weekly planner.
No, it’s not another gimmicky leather-bound “productivity journal” with 17 tracker sections you’ll never use.
It’s a simple, adaptable layout you can:
- Print and fill in by hand
- Recreate in your own notebook
- Build into Notion, GoodNotes, OneNote, Trello, whatever works for you
Here’s what it includes:
- DUMP section — for a complete mental offload
- REVIEW checklist — to sort signal from noise
- OFFLOAD checklist — to delegate, delete, automate
- PLAN section — for your Top 3 Weekly Priorities and time blocks
Let’s now see it in action.
USER EXAMPLE 1: THE SCRAPPY DESKTOP PRINT-OUT
User: Rachel, Sales Director (Team of 12)
Setup:
- Prints the 2-page planner every Monday
- Fills it in with pen during her first coffee
- Keeps it next to her laptop on a clipboard
- Uses a pink highlighter to tick completed tasks
- Rewrites next week’s version based on reflections on Friday
Why it works:
She hates screens. Tried every productivity app and gave up. But now she has everything visible in one place.
Screenshot Notes:
- Messy handwriting, scribbled notes
- Highlighted blocks show tasks offloaded to her team
- Three key priorities boxed in red at the top
USER EXAMPLE 2: THE DIGITAL TABLET VERSION
User: James, Freelance Designer
Setup:
- Imported the DROP planner into GoodNotes
- Uses Apple Pencil to fill it in during his Sunday night wind-down
- Duplicates each week’s template
- Uses emojis and symbols to mark energy-heavy vs admin tasks
- Links key tasks to his Asana board for deeper detail
Why it works:
He’s a digital native but still needs visual flow. GoodNotes gives him the structure while staying portable.
Screenshot Notes:
- DUMP section filled with overlapping personal + client to-dos
- Weekly review includes questions like “Did I protect deep work this week?”
- Priority box includes: “Launch client site,” “Reprice packages,” “Finalise logo set”
USER EXAMPLE 3: THE WHITEBOARD FAMILY SYSTEM
User: Beth and Lee, Married couple with 3 kids and 2 jobs
Setup:
- One whiteboard in the kitchen = the DROP board
- Sunday night they stand together, dump everything onto it (kids, meals, work, home)
- Review together what matters and what doesn’t
- Each chooses Top 3 priorities and shared ones
- Plan includes school pickups, work deadlines, and downtime
Why it works:
It’s visible to both of them. Reduces resentment, miscommunication, and forgotten stuff.
Screenshot Notes:
- Left side is colour-coded DUMP list
- Right side = shared week layout with initials
- Offload section shows things passed to grandparents, meal kits, online orders
USER EXAMPLE 4: THE NOTION DIYER
User: Ahmed, Solopreneur and Course Creator
Setup:
- Rebuilt DROP System in Notion from scratch
- Weekly page includes toggles for each DROP step
- Linked databases for tasks, habits, and goals
- Priorities sync with a minimalist dashboard
- Uses Notion AI to review and reflect at week’s end
Why it works:
He loves customisation — and this version integrates everything he needs in one tool.
Screenshot Notes:
- DUMP list captured using a Notion template
- Offload tags include: delegate, automate, delete
- Each priority block has a linked subpage for tasks
USER EXAMPLE 5: THE NOTEBOOK LOYALIST
User: Priya, Operations Director
Setup:
- Uses a Moleskine notebook
- Draws the 2-page planner layout by hand each week
- Has used the same layout for 32 straight weeks
- Reflects on wins and lessons in margins
- Keeps it private, but sacred — a non-negotiable part of her week
Why it works:
Tactile planning gives her mental clarity. This is her weekly moment of calm.
Screenshot Notes:
- DUMP section filled with both typed notes from calls and personal thoughts
- Weekly PLAN includes work, wellness, and personal development goals
- Reflections highlight boundaries she respected (or didn’t)
Common Elements Across All Examples
Despite the different formats, every user shows the same behaviours:
✅ They offload mental clutter consistently
✅ They review with honesty, not perfection
✅ They make sharper decisions
✅ They focus on three big things — not 30
✅ They reflect, adapt, and reset every week
The format is flexible. The rhythm is everything.
Want to Build Your Own Setup?
You don’t need a fancy planner. You don’t need a new app.
You just need:
- 30 minutes a week
- The willingness to be honest with yourself
- A structure that supports clarity, not chaos
Here’s how to start:
Get the full method in book form:
Buy the book →
Includes step-by-step instructions, real stories, and how to implement each step.
Want the templates, walkthroughs, and examples shown above?
Join the DROP System training →
Only £149. No upsells. Lifetime access.
You’ll get the actual planner, real setup videos, and guided support to build your version of the DROP System that fits your life — not someone else’s.
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