Plus Minus Next
Anne-Laure Le Cunff is a neuroscience researcher, founder of Ness Labs, and creator of the popular Ness Labs Newsletter. She writes about evidence-based ways for people to make the most of their minds, navigate uncertainty, and practice lifelong learning.
“-ness” is a suffix that means “state of being”, as in awareness, mindfulness, consciousness. Ness Labs is a playground for curiosity – a place where you can learn how to experiment with ideas, explore creative projects, make better decisions, and reflect on your progress.
She developed the Plus Minus Next journaling method as a simple yet powerful tool for self-reflection and growth. This technique is designed to help you evaluate their daily or weekly experiences and plan actionable steps for improvement.
Also she is the author of Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World available at Amazon and other retailers. It's a transformative guide to rethinking your approach to goals, creativity, and life itself with an experimental mindset and mindful productivity.
What is Plus Minus Next?
Her method divides a page (or table) into three columns, which is appropriate for doing it on paper. However, I prefer to use level 2 headings with bullet lists in Obsidian instead of a Markdown table since it offers more flexibility.
- Plus (+): Record what went well, such as achievements or moments of joy.
- Minus (-): Note what did not go well, including challenges or frustrations.
- Next (→): Plan actionable steps to improve or change based on the reflections.
Why it works
This approach balances positivity and critique, avoiding toxic positivity or excessive rumination. It encourages meaningful reflection and forward-thinking by turning experiences into actionable insights.
The simplicity of the method makes it easy to incorporate into periodic routines (day, week, month, quarter, or year), often taking just a few minutes to complete.
Applications
- Daily journaling: Helps process everyday experiences and maintain mindful productivity.
- Weekly reviews: Provides a structured way to evaluate progress and set goals for the upcoming week.
- Goal setting: Aligns with Anne-Laure's broader philosophy of treating life as a series of experiments, as discussed in her book Tiny Experiments.
Plus Minus Next has gained popularity for its practicality and adaptability, making it an effective tool for personal growth and productivity. I use it in my periodic reviews across all time horizons (day, week, month, quarter, year).