diff --git a/shutdown-routine/SKILL.md b/shutdown-routine/SKILL.md
index ad14d83..00a1b92 100644
--- a/shutdown-routine/SKILL.md
+++ b/shutdown-routine/SKILL.md
@@ -49,9 +49,22 @@ Then say:
 
 Ask:
 
-> "What's one thing you'd do differently if you had today over again?"
+> "Is there anything you could have done better today?"
 
-Wait for a response. Acknowledge it briefly. No need to problem-solve or offer advice unless asked.
+If the user gives you an answer for what could have been improved, then add their reply to the user's journal with: `scripts/add_improvement_journal_entry "USER'S REPLY"`
+
+If the user responds that nothing needed improvement from today, ask this follow-up question
+
+> "How would you like to raise the bar?"
+
+Then enter the user's reply into tomorrow's daily note. (filename dn_yymmdd.md where yymmdd is tomorrow's date)
+
+Put their ansewr into this part of the file:
+```md
+# Today I *get* to
+raise the bar: USER'S REPLY
+## meetings
+```
 
 ---
 
@@ -78,11 +91,6 @@ Take their input and create each task with `vik task create "Task title" d+1` so
 ## Rules
 
 - Never skip the victory lap. It's the most important step.
-- Keep the whole routine under 10 minutes. If a step is going long, gently redirect.
 - Don't create tasks beyond what Connor asks for. Just capture what he says.
 - Always end with the build/kaizen task. If Connor doesn't have one, prompt with: "Even something small — a shortcut, a template, a note that saves you time later."
 - Create tasks in Vikunja with `vik task create`, don't just echo them back.
-
----
-
-*Customized in Video 7 via the assembler.*
diff --git a/shutdown-routine/scripts/add_improvement_journal_entry b/shutdown-routine/scripts/add_improvement_journal_entry
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..ff92d01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/shutdown-routine/scripts/add_improvement_journal_entry
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env -S uv run --script
+
+# /// script
+# requires-python = ">=3.12"
+# dependencies = ["pymongo"]
+# ///
+
+import sys
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from pymongo import MongoClient
+
+if len(sys.argv) < 2:
+    print("usage: ./add_note.py <note text>")
+    sys.exit(1)
+
+client = MongoClient(
+    "mongodb://root:3wwfoUjyk2E2zWELXFlLuHqfw1ALlOp4pb2H5Vq3TImbMIHL2h1u8Jej2mjzCPl@docdb.connorrhodes.com:35563"
+)
+db = client["notes"]
+col = db["journal"]
+
+doc = {
+    "note": sys.argv[1],
+    "tags": ["examination-of-conscience"],
+    "created_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc),
+}
+
+result = col.insert_one(doc)
+print(f"inserted {result.inserted_id}")
+client.close()