Urgent tasks require immediate attention and need to be dealt with within a short time period. Let’s define these two terms so that it is easier for you to sort your tasks. “What is Important is seldom Urgent and what is Urgent is seldom Important” It is not uncommon to conflate “urgent” and “important”. Eliminating unnecessary tasks is a lot more efficient as opposed to doing something just to look busy. When reviewing everything you have to do, take into consideration if the task fits your end goal or helps you develop your skills. However, eliminating these “filler” tasks by adding them to the “Delete” quadrant would make you more productive. Many times, we do something just to make ourselves and others feel that we are busy and “productive”.
While trying to flaunt this badge, people tend to lose focus on their end goals and what they should really be dedicating their time towards. Consider Eliminationīeing busy is a badge of honor people like to wear, especially at work. Here are some things you need to consider to use the Eisenhower Matrix much more effectively. It only gives you a structure to prioritize your important tasks from the previous three quadrants over the tasks in the Delete quadrant.
This quadrant does not imply cutting out social media or watching TV completely. These could include tasks that you or someone else “thinks” are important or just distractions that keep you away from your important tasks. There are tasks that take up your time but do not add much to your end goals. This gives you some time to focus on your urgent and important tasks in the “Do” quadrant. In these cases, you take more of a managerial position. In these cases, even though you have a deadline to hit, you delegate these tasks to someone else. These are tasks that are urgent which do not necessarily need your complete involvement. Set a realistic schedule for these tasks and make sure you follow them.
It is important to note that letting procrastination or other tasks derail you from the set schedule would mean you will have to complete the tasks in this quadrant at the last moment. The tasks in the Decide quadrant do not need to be done right now so you can create a schedule and set a completion date. Using the Pomodoro Technique can help you deal with procrastination and staying focused. Procrastination and distractions while dealing with these tasks could result in adverse consequences. These are the tasks that are important and urgent that need to probably be finished the same day or by the next day. Let’s look at each of the quadrants of the matrix in detail. Using the Eisenhower Matrix is just as effective for chores at home or if you are studying at home. It is also really effective in showing you which tasks you should delegate if you have a problem with delegation. It is an especially helpful tool to use if you constantly keep switching from one “urgent” task to the other and have no set plan. Using the Eisenhower Matrix you can add your tasks in one of the following four quadrants: It is a great read if you want to become more efficient and manage your time better. Stephen Covey popularized it as a productivity practice in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States is credited with developing the Eisenhower Matrix. Using it can provide some structure to how you handle your tasks.ĭwight D. The Matrix consists of four quadrants: Do, Decide, Delegate, and Delete. The Eisenhower Matrix is a way to prioritize your tasks based on importance and urgency.