The goal is simple: start the day oriented without checking every place where work can find you.

A useful daily brief does not tell you everything. It tells you what deserves your attention.

1. Decide what the brief should answer

A strong brief usually answers four questions:

1. What needs my decision or action today?
2. What changed since I last checked?
3. What am I waiting on from someone else?
4. What can safely wait?

Depending on your work, you may also want today's meetings, deadlines, or project risks.

2. Choose the sources

Use only the sources that matter for your day. For example:

• calendar for meetings and deadlines
• email for requests and commitments
• task system for open work
• Slack or Teams for project changes
• Notion or Drive for project context

Do not add a new tool just to build the brief. Start with the systems you already use.

3. Give AI the job

Use an instruction like:

Review the sources available to you and orient me for today. Prioritize items that require my judgment, action, or awareness. Separate the brief into: Needs me today; Important changes; Waiting on others; Can wait. Include the source or evidence for anything you flag. If you are unsure whether something matters, say so instead of guessing.