So, you’re looking to wrap up your day with a bit more structure, huh? An evening debrief can really help with that. It’s not about dwelling on what went wrong, but more about taking a moment to see what you learned and how you can do better tomorrow. Think of it as a quick check-in with yourself to make sure you’re on the right track. This whole evening debrief methodology is about making your days more productive and less stressful, one day at a time.
Key Takeaways
- Setting up a clear framework for your evening debrief is the first step. This means knowing why you’re doing it and how it fits into your regular routine.
- Focus on the main parts of a good debrief: looking at how things went, how you handled tasks, and how you were feeling physically and mentally.
- Building up your mental toughness is key. This involves trusting yourself more, talking to yourself in a helpful way, and getting comfortable with not knowing everything.
- Getting better at controlling your thoughts and staying clear-headed is important. This means learning to manage your focus and make decisions more easily, even when things get tough.
- Regular reflection cycles help you learn from your performance without getting too emotional. It’s about spotting what worked, what didn’t, and making sure you don’t make the same mistakes over and over.
Establishing the Evening Debrief Framework
Setting up a regular evening debrief isn’t just about winding down; it’s about building a structured way to look back at your day. Think of it as a critical checkpoint before you move on. This isn’t about dwelling on mistakes, but about learning and getting better. The goal is to create a consistent process that helps you understand what happened and why.
Defining the Purpose of the Evening Debrief
The main reason for an evening debrief is to gain clarity and improve future performance. It’s a dedicated time to reflect on your actions, decisions, and outcomes from the day. This process helps you identify what worked well, what didn’t, and what you can do differently next time. It’s about turning daily experiences into actionable insights. Without a clear purpose, debriefs can become aimless chats. A well-defined purpose keeps the session focused and productive.
- Identify successes and areas for improvement.
- Understand the impact of decisions made.
- Develop strategies for future challenges.
- Reinforce learning and build consistency.
A clear purpose transforms a simple review into a powerful tool for growth. It ensures that time spent reflecting directly contributes to better outcomes tomorrow.
Integrating the Evening Debrief into Daily Operations
To make the evening debrief effective, it needs to be a regular part of your routine, not an afterthought. This means scheduling it consistently, perhaps at the end of your workday or before you fully switch off. Think about how it fits with your existing schedule. It should feel like a natural extension of your work, not an extra burden. Integrating it means making it a non-negotiable part of your operational rhythm. This consistency helps build the habit and ensures that valuable lessons aren’t lost. Consider how this process can support your daily operational planning.
Understanding the Evening Debrief Methodology
The methodology behind an evening debrief is straightforward but requires discipline. It typically involves reviewing key events, decisions, and performance indicators from the day. The focus should be on objective observation rather than emotional reaction. Ask yourself: What happened? Why did it happen? What was the result? What can I learn from this?
Here’s a basic structure:
- Review Key Activities: Briefly list the main tasks or events of the day.
- Analyze Performance: Assess how these activities went. Were there any unexpected challenges or successes?
- Identify Lessons Learned: What specific insights did you gain?
- Plan Adjustments: What changes will you make tomorrow based on these lessons?
This structured approach ensures that you cover the necessary ground and extract meaningful information. It’s about creating a feedback loop that drives continuous improvement.
Core Components of an Effective Debrief
An evening debrief isn’t just about looking back; it’s about actively shaping what comes next. It’s where you take the raw material of your day—the successes, the stumbles, the sheer grind—and turn it into something useful. Without this structured reflection, days can blur, and lessons learned can easily get lost. The goal is to extract actionable insights that improve future performance.
Reviewing Performance Metrics and Feedback
Looking at the numbers and what people are saying is a straightforward way to see how things actually went. It’s easy to feel like you’re on the right track, but objective data doesn’t lie. This part of the debrief is about confronting reality, good or bad.
- Quantitative Data: Review key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your tasks or projects. This could be anything from completion rates to error margins.
- Qualitative Feedback: Gather input from colleagues, clients, or supervisors. What did they observe? What suggestions do they have?
- Self-Assessment: Honestly evaluate your own actions against your planned objectives. Where did you meet expectations, and where did you fall short?
This process helps identify specific areas for improvement, moving beyond general feelings of success or failure. It’s about pinpointing exactly what worked and what didn’t, so you can replicate the former and adjust the latter. For instance, if a project deadline was missed, reviewing the timeline and resource allocation can reveal the exact point of delay. This kind of detailed analysis is key to making real progress and is a core part of effective performance analysis.
Analyzing Execution Discipline and Priority Sequencing
How well did you stick to the plan, and were you working on the right things at the right time? This isn’t just about getting things done, but about getting the right things done efficiently. It’s about the discipline to follow through and the wisdom to prioritize.
- Adherence to Plan: Did you follow the established procedures and timelines? Were there deviations, and if so, why?
- Priority Management: Were tasks tackled in the order of their importance and urgency? Did higher-priority items get the attention they deserved?
- Resource Utilization: Were time, energy, and materials used effectively to achieve objectives?
Assessing Fatigue and Energy Management
We’re not machines. Pushing too hard for too long without attention to recovery leads to mistakes and burnout. Understanding your own energy levels and how to manage them is just as important as the tasks themselves.
- Sleep Quality and Quantity: How well did you sleep? Was it enough to support peak performance?
- Physical and Mental Strain: Did you experience significant fatigue or mental exhaustion during the day? What contributed to it?
- Recovery Strategies: What steps did you take, or could you have taken, to manage energy levels and prevent burnout?
Recognizing the impact of fatigue is not an excuse for poor performance, but a critical factor in planning for sustainable effectiveness. It’s about understanding your operational limits and building in the necessary rest and recovery to maintain high output over time.
Cultivating Psychological Durability
This section is about building up your mental toughness. It’s not about being emotionless, but about being able to handle stress and keep going when things get tough. Think of it like training a muscle; the more you challenge it in controlled ways, the stronger it gets.
Reinforcing Confidence Through Consistent Action
Confidence isn’t something you just wake up with. It’s built, brick by brick, through doing things consistently. When you set a goal, even a small one, and you follow through, that builds a solid foundation of belief in yourself. It’s about showing up and doing the work, day in and day out. This creates a positive feedback loop: you do something, you succeed, you feel more confident, and that makes you more likely to tackle the next challenge.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
- Set a small, achievable daily goal. (e.g., complete a specific task, exercise for 15 minutes)
- Execute that goal with focus.
- Acknowledge the completion. This doesn’t need to be a big celebration, just a mental note that you did what you set out to do.
- Repeat. Consistency is the key ingredient here.
Developing Disciplined Self-Talk
What you say to yourself matters. A lot. If you’re constantly telling yourself you can’t do something, or that you’re not good enough, that’s going to become your reality. Developing disciplined self-talk means catching those negative thoughts and replacing them with more constructive ones. It’s not about pretending everything is perfect, but about framing challenges in a way that allows you to move forward.
Consider this:
- Identify your common negative self-talk patterns. Are you often overly critical? Do you focus on what might go wrong?
- Challenge those thoughts. Ask yourself: Is this thought actually true? What evidence do I have for it? What’s a more balanced or helpful way to look at this?
- Practice positive affirmations, but make them realistic. Instead of "I’m the best at everything," try "I am capable of learning and improving."
The internal narrative you maintain can either be a source of strength or a significant obstacle. Consciously directing this narrative toward growth and capability is a powerful tool for building resilience.
Navigating Uncertainty and Ambiguity
Life rarely unfolds exactly as planned. There will be times when you don’t have all the information, or when the path forward isn’t clear. This is where psychological durability really gets tested. Instead of getting paralyzed by the unknown, the goal is to develop a comfort with not having all the answers. It’s about making the best decision you can with the information you have, and then being ready to adjust as new information comes in.
Here’s a breakdown of how to approach it:
- Acknowledge the uncertainty. Don’t pretend it doesn’t exist. Simply stating, "Okay, this is unclear, and that’s okay," can reduce anxiety.
- Focus on what you can control. You might not control the outcome, but you can control your effort, your attitude, and your next steps.
- Break down large, ambiguous problems. If the whole situation feels overwhelming, identify the smallest, most actionable step you can take right now.
- Seek feedback and adapt. When you do get more information or see the results of your actions, be willing to change course. This flexibility is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Enhancing Cognitive Control and Clarity
When the day winds down, it’s easy for thoughts to get jumbled. You might be replaying conversations, worrying about tomorrow, or just feeling mentally drained. This section is all about getting a grip on that mental chatter and making sure your thinking is sharp and clear, especially when you need it most.
Regulating Attention and Breathing
Our attention is a limited resource, and it’s constantly being pulled in different directions. Think about how many times you’ve picked up your phone without really meaning to, or how easily you get sidetracked by a notification. This isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s just how our brains are wired in today’s world. The evening debrief is a good time to practice bringing your focus back. A simple way to start is by paying attention to your breath. It sounds basic, but consciously breathing in and out can actually calm your nervous system and help you settle your thoughts. It’s like hitting a reset button for your mind.
- Focus on the physical sensation of breathing. Notice the air entering your nostrils, filling your lungs, and then leaving your body.
- Try to extend your exhales slightly. This signals to your body that it’s time to relax.
- Don’t worry if your mind wanders. Just gently guide your attention back to your breath without judgment.
Sharpening Focus Under Pressure
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes you have to make decisions or perform tasks when you’re feeling stressed or rushed. The ability to stay focused when things get tough is a skill, not something you’re just born with. Practicing this during your debrief can make a difference. It’s about training your mind to filter out distractions and zero in on what’s important, even when your heart is pounding or you’re feeling overwhelmed. This isn’t about eliminating stress, but about learning to perform with it.
The goal isn’t to never feel pressure, but to develop the capacity to act effectively despite it. This involves recognizing the signs of pressure and having a practiced response ready.
Improving Decision Clarity
Ever made a decision you later regretted because you were tired, stressed, or just not thinking straight? We all have. The evening debrief provides a structured moment to look back at the decisions made during the day. Were they clear? Were they based on good information, or were they rushed? By reviewing these moments, you can start to identify patterns in your decision-making process. This helps you understand what conditions lead to clearer choices and what might cloud your judgment. Making better decisions consistently is a hallmark of effective performance.
Here’s a quick way to assess your decisions:
| Decision Point | Information Available | Time Pressure | Outcome | Clarity Level (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Specific Decision] | [Brief Description] | [High/Medium/Low] | [Result] | [Score] |
Implementing Structured Reflection Cycles
After a period of activity, taking time to look back is really important. It’s not about dwelling on what happened, but about understanding it so you can do better next time. This is where structured reflection cycles come in. They give you a way to process events without getting lost in the details or letting emotions take over. Think of it as a systematic way to learn from your experiences, whether they were successes or failures.
Evaluating Performance Without Emotional Bias
It’s easy to get caught up in how you felt about something, but that doesn’t always tell the whole story. The goal here is to look at what actually occurred, using facts and observable data. This means setting aside personal feelings, like frustration or pride, to see the situation clearly. We want to measure performance against the plan or objective, not against an emotional ideal. This objective view is key to making real progress.
- Objective Metrics: Focus on quantifiable data. What were the numbers? What were the specific actions taken?
- Behavioral Observation: What did people actually do? Were actions aligned with the intended plan?
- Outcome Analysis: What were the results? How did they compare to the expected outcomes?
Objective evaluation is the bedrock of meaningful improvement. Without it, we risk repeating mistakes or failing to recognize genuine successes.
Identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, and Adjustments
Once you’ve looked at the performance objectively, you can start to break it down. What went well? What were the strong points that you should keep doing, or even do more of? On the flip side, where did things fall short? Identifying these weaknesses isn’t about blame; it’s about pinpointing areas that need attention. Based on this, you can figure out what specific changes, or adjustments, need to be made for the future. This is where the learning really starts to happen, turning insights into actionable steps for future performance.
Preventing Repeated Mistakes Through Structured Reflection
This is the payoff. By going through the process of objective evaluation and identifying specific areas for improvement, you create a roadmap to avoid making the same errors. It’s about building a system that catches potential problems before they happen again. This might involve updating procedures, providing additional training, or simply making a conscious note to approach similar situations differently next time. Consistent application of these reflection cycles builds a strong foundation for continuous improvement and reduces the likelihood of recurring issues.
| Area for Improvement | Specific Weakness Identified | Proposed Adjustment | Timeline | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication | Lack of clear updates | Daily stand-up brief | Immediate | Team Lead |
| Planning | Unrealistic time estimates | Add buffer time | Next cycle | Planner |
| Execution | Missed critical step | Checklist review | Ongoing | All |
Strengthening Accountability Systems
Accountability is the bedrock of consistent performance. It’s about taking ownership of your actions and outcomes, not just when things go right, but especially when they don’t. Without a solid accountability framework, even the best intentions can falter. This means establishing clear expectations for yourself and, where applicable, for your team.
Establishing Self-Imposed Standards
This is where personal discipline really takes root. It’s about defining what ‘good enough’ looks like for you, and then holding yourself to that standard. Think about the non-negotiables in your work or personal life. What are the behaviors you expect from yourself every single day? Setting these benchmarks isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency and integrity. It’s about building a reputation with yourself that you can rely on.
- Define clear, measurable standards for key tasks.
- Identify personal values that guide your actions.
- Schedule regular self-assessments to track adherence.
Leveraging External Accountability for Consistency
While self-imposed standards are vital, sometimes an outside perspective can make all the difference. This could be a mentor, a peer, or even a formal coaching relationship. External accountability provides a mirror, reflecting back areas where you might be falling short or where you’re excelling. It adds a layer of commitment that can be incredibly motivating. It’s not about being policed, but about having someone to check in with, share progress, and receive constructive feedback. This external support can help you stay on track with your personal goals.
Aligning Behavior with Stated Standards
This is the ultimate test of accountability. It’s one thing to write down your standards; it’s another to live them. The evening debrief is a prime opportunity to check this alignment. Did your actions today match the standards you set for yourself yesterday? Were there any discrepancies? Identifying these gaps is not about self-criticism, but about gathering data for improvement.
True accountability means that your actions consistently reflect your stated values and commitments. It’s the bridge between intention and reality, built through deliberate practice and honest self-reflection.
Here’s a quick way to check your alignment:
| Standard Set | Behavior Observed | Alignment (Yes/No) | Adjustment Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrive on time | Arrived 10 mins late | No | Set earlier alarm |
| Complete report draft | Started report draft | Yes | Continue tomorrow |
| Respond to emails within 24h | Responded to 80% | No | Prioritize inbox |
This process helps to solidify your commitment and ensures that your daily operations are a true reflection of your long-term objectives.
Managing Time, Energy, and Attention
In the whirlwind of daily operations, it’s easy to feel like you’re just reacting to whatever comes your way. But effective performance isn’t about being busy; it’s about being intentional with your most limited resources: time, energy, and attention. Think of them like a budget. You only have so much of each, and how you spend them dictates your output.
Mission-Driven Prioritization
This isn’t about making a to-do list and hoping for the best. It’s about aligning every action with your overarching goals. What truly moves the needle? What’s just noise?
- Identify your top 1-3 mission-critical tasks for the day. These are the things that, if accomplished, make the day a success regardless of other distractions.
- Sequence tasks based on impact and your personal energy cycles. Tackle the most demanding work when you’re at your peak.
- Be ruthless about saying ‘no’ to low-priority requests. Protect your focus.
Effective prioritization means understanding what not to do as much as what to do. It’s about making deliberate choices that serve your mission, rather than getting pulled into the urgency of others.
Optimizing Energy Allocation Through Recovery
We often treat energy like an infinite well, but it’s not. Pushing past your limits consistently leads to burnout and diminished returns. Recovery isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategic necessity for sustained performance. This means paying attention to the basics: sleep, nutrition, and hydration. These aren’t just health tips; they are performance enhancers. Consider how your daily schedule incorporates breaks and downtime. Are you scheduling recovery, or just hoping it happens?
| Activity | Impact on Energy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Sleep | High | Essential for cognitive function & repair |
| Consistent Nutrition | Medium | Fuels sustained physical & mental output |
| Hydration | Medium | Prevents fatigue and brain fog |
| Scheduled Breaks | Medium | Restores focus and prevents burnout |
Protecting Attention from Distractions
Attention is the real currency of productivity. In a world designed to grab and hold your attention, protecting it is a skill. This involves both external environmental design and internal discipline. Think about your workspace: are notifications constantly pinging? Is your digital environment cluttered? Creating dedicated blocks of uninterrupted work time is key. This might mean silencing your phone, closing unnecessary tabs, or even communicating your need for focus to colleagues. Mastering your attention is mastering your performance. Manage your day by being deliberate about where your focus goes.
Creating an environment that supports sustained attention is more effective than relying solely on willpower. It’s about building systems that make focus the path of least resistance, rather than a constant battle against distraction. Minimize distractions proactively.
Fostering Resilience and Adaptive Learning
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes it feels like you’re just trying to keep your head above water. That’s where building resilience and learning to adapt comes in. It’s not about avoiding tough times, but about how you bounce back when they happen. Think of it like training for a marathon; you don’t just show up on race day. You build up your endurance, learn to push through discomfort, and have a plan for when things get hard.
Reframing Adversity as a Learning Opportunity
When something goes wrong, the first instinct might be to get upset or blame others. But what if we looked at it differently? Instead of seeing a setback as a dead end, we can treat it as a lesson. What happened? Why did it happen? What can I do differently next time? This kind of thinking helps turn failures into stepping stones. It’s about extracting the information from the situation so you can improve. This approach helps prevent you from getting stuck in a victim mentality and instead promotes a more stable outlook over time. It’s a way to turn setbacks into stepping stones for future success.
Integrating Lessons Learned for Future Performance
Simply recognizing a lesson isn’t enough; you have to actually use it. This means actively thinking about what you learned and how it applies to what you’ll do next. It’s like reviewing game film after a match. You see what worked and what didn’t, and then you adjust your strategy. This integration process makes your future actions more effective. It’s about building a feedback loop where each experience, good or bad, makes you better prepared for the next challenge.
Here’s a simple way to think about integrating lessons:
- Identify the core lesson: What is the single most important takeaway?
- Determine practical application: How can this lesson change your approach?
- Plan for implementation: When and how will you apply this new approach?
- Review effectiveness: After trying the new approach, assess if it worked.
Building Tolerance Through Controlled Discomfort
We often avoid things that make us uncomfortable. But growth happens outside our comfort zone. By intentionally exposing ourselves to manageable levels of discomfort, we build our capacity to handle stress and pressure. This isn’t about seeking out extreme hardship, but about gradually increasing our tolerance. Think about practicing a difficult conversation or taking on a slightly more challenging task than usual. Each time you successfully manage a bit of discomfort, you become more capable and confident. This process strengthens your ability to stay composed and effective, even when things get tough.
Developing a Personal Code and Standards
Think about what truly matters to you. This isn’t about grand philosophies, but the practical rules you live by. A personal code acts like an internal compass, guiding your actions when things get complicated or when you’re tired. It’s about defining what you stand for and what you won’t compromise on. Without clear boundaries for yourself, it’s easy to drift or make choices you later regret.
Defining Non-Negotiable Values
These are the bedrock principles that shape your decisions. They are the things you hold as fundamentally important, regardless of the situation. Identifying these values helps create a consistent framework for your behavior.
- Integrity: Always being honest and having strong moral principles.
- Responsibility: Owning your actions and their outcomes.
- Respect: Treating others with consideration, even when you disagree.
- Growth: Committing to continuous learning and self-improvement.
Establishing Measurable Behavioral Standards
Values are great, but they need to translate into action. This means setting specific, observable standards for how you behave. Instead of saying ‘I’ll be more organized,’ a measurable standard might be ‘I will clear my desk every evening before leaving.’ This makes it clear what success looks like.
| Area of Life | Standard |
|---|---|
| Communication | Respond to emails within 24 hours. |
| Health | Complete a 30-minute workout 5 days a week. |
| Work | Review daily priorities before starting work. |
Reducing Internal Conflict Through Clear Standards
When your actions align with your values and standards, there’s less internal friction. You don’t waste energy second-guessing yourself or feeling guilty about choices. This clarity allows you to direct your focus and energy more effectively towards your goals. It simplifies decision-making because you already know what’s expected of you.
Living by a clear set of personal standards means you’re less likely to be swayed by external pressures or fleeting desires. It builds a strong sense of self-reliance and internal consistency.
Integrating Identity and Purpose
When you’re trying to sustain progress over the long haul, it’s not enough to just focus on tasks and metrics. Identity and purpose have to anchor your actions, especially as bigger transitions happen in life. Real change shows up when you decide who you want to be, not just what you want to do. Building this alignment isn’t automatic—you have to make it happen on purpose.
Reconstructing Self-Concept After Transitions
Life throws curveballs: career changes, retirement, moving, job loss, or even shifts in family roles. These moments can make you wonder, “Who am I now?” If you don’t deliberately rebuild your self-concept, you risk drifting or losing momentum. Here’s what intentional reconstruction can look like:
- Review which old roles or identities are no longer relevant.
- Decide which qualities, values, and standards you refuse to compromise.
- Experiment with new routines or responsibilities that reflect this chosen identity.
Identity, once rooted in action and honest self-reflection, becomes much less dependent on circumstances or what others expect.
Aligning Daily Actions with Long-Term Purpose
It’s easy to say you want purpose, but putting that into practice is another story. The trick is tying everyday behaviors to a purpose you’ve clearly defined—not something you just inherited or copied. If you don’t connect today’s actions to your bigger mission, daily life starts to feel random and disconnected. Try:
- Clarifying your mission statement in plain terms.
- Matching your top daily tasks to that long-term mission.
- Reviewing weekly whether your actions lined up with your stated purpose.
A simple weekly review table can help:
| Week | Mission Statement | Top 3 Aligned Actions | Gaps or Drift? |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1-7 | Build a healthy family | Family meal, walk, game night | Missed Sunday activity |
| March 8-14 | Build a healthy family | Family meal, hike, call mom | Skipped hike |
Building Purpose-Driven Identity Through Action
Building identity isn’t an abstract process. No matter what you claim, your real identity gets revealed in repeated choices and actions. Every time you act in alignment with your mission and standards, you reinforce that identity—and, over time, it sticks. Here’s how you can get started:
- Define what a purpose-driven identity looks like for you—in a sentence or two.
- Make a list of daily or weekly actions that build proof for that identity.
- Track consistency and make small adjustments when you notice drift.
- Your sense of self grows more stable with each aligned action.
- Doubt fades when you see evidence through behavior, not just intention.
- Identity and purpose stop feeling like buzzwords—they become guideposts for every decision.
If you want genuine, lasting change, don’t just ask, “What do I need to do?” Also ask, “Who am I becoming with these choices?” That’s how ordinary moments turn into lasting transformation.
Wrapping Up Your Evening Debrief
So, that’s the rundown on how to make an evening debrief work for you. It’s not about dwelling on what went wrong, but more about taking a moment to see what you learned and how you can do things a bit better next time. Think of it as a quick check-in with yourself before you call it a day. Doing this regularly can really help you stay on track and build up your ability to handle whatever comes your way. It’s a simple habit, but it can make a real difference in how you move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an evening debrief and why should I do it?
An evening debrief is a short review of your day, usually done at night. It helps you see what went well, what didn’t, and what you can do better tomorrow. It’s a simple way to get better at reaching your goals.
How long should an evening debrief take?
It doesn’t have to take long. Most people can do a good debrief in 5 to 10 minutes. The key is to be honest and focused, not perfect.
What should I talk about during my debrief?
You should look at your main tasks, see if you followed your plan, check how tired you feel, and think about how you handled stress. You can also write down what you learned and what you want to change.
How does an evening debrief help with stress and mistakes?
A debrief helps you see your mistakes as chances to learn, not reasons to feel bad. By looking at your day calmly, you can fix problems and stop them from happening again.
Can an evening debrief help me stay motivated?
Yes. When you review your actions and see progress, even small wins, it builds confidence. Over time, you’ll feel more excited to keep going.
What if I had a really bad day? Should I still do a debrief?
Yes, especially on bad days. A debrief helps you understand what went wrong without blaming yourself. It teaches you to find lessons, not just focus on the negatives.
How do I make evening debriefs a habit?
Try to do your debrief at the same time each night, like before bed. Keep it simple and use a notebook or a phone app. If you miss a day, just start again the next night.
Do I need someone else to help me with my debrief?
No, you can do it by yourself. But if you want extra support, you can share your debrief with a friend, coach, or family member. Sometimes, talking it out makes it easier to see what you need to change.