The Eisenhower Matrix Do homework, exercise, walk the dog, watch a TV show, get started on holiday shopping . . There are so many things to do, but how can you complete them all on time? To organize your studies and chores efficiently, try a technique called the Eisen- hower Matrix. How THE EISENHOWER MATRIX WoRKS Start by categorizing all your tasks into four quadrants as follows: Urgent Important Delegate THE BENEFITS OF THE EISENHOWER MATRIX ‘The Eisenhower Matrix isa time man- agement tool that was popularized by efficiency consultant STEPHEN Cover. I's based on a saying attributed to the 34” president of the United States, DwicHT D. EIsennoweR: “I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent" This method will help you prioritize when yout over- helmed with work and unsure of what to tackle fist. It also allows you to assess your productivity For a couple of days, ry to keep track ofthe tasks you complete and how much time you spend on each Schedule 3 Delete cone. Then, evaluate each task by asking yourself these three questions: + Was it urgent for me? + Was it important for me? + Am | the only one who could do this? The keywords here are “for me." Your answers should be honest and based on your own perspective, not on the opinions ‘of your parents, classmates, or teachers. Ask yourself if you'e treating something as important when it actualiy isn, or if youre struggling to finish your tasks on time be- ‘cause youre doing someone else's work adrant 4: mportant and Urgent These tasks are of the utmost im: portance and usually have deadlines, with concrete consequences if not completed on time. Examples in- clude improving your grades, paying overdue bills, or fixing a toothache. It can become a problem if you have too many tasks in this ‘quadrant. When you're overwhelmed with urgent and important tasks, you ‘might feel like a hamster on a wheel, constantly running out of energy yet still struggling to complete every thing on time. While it’s inevitable to have tasks in this quadrant, con- stantly juggling them can lead to emotional burnout. This isa state where a person becomes so psycho- logically exhausted that they have no energy left, even for things they enjoy. What to do: try to minimize the number of tasks in this quad: rant. Start by writing down all your tasks, then cross out the ones that aren't relevant. Evaluate whether all of them are truly urgent. Can any be moved to a different quadrant? For the remaining tasks, set deadlines and create a schedule. Break each task into smaller parts (steps) and doa litle bit each day. Consider ways to reduce the number of urgent and important tasks. For example, regularly moni tor your grades so you don't end up with a pile of assignments to handle at the end of the semester#49 DECEMBER 2024 n juadrant 2: mportant, Not Urgent These tasks are usually larger and related to long-term goals, self- development, and improving your quality of life rather than solving immediate problems. They may not have clear deadlines, which can make them difficult to prioritize. Ex- ‘amples include exercising regularly, learning a foreign language, study- ing for exams, and getting regular check-ups. If you have many tasks i this quadrant, it means you're focused on what's truly important to you. Your resources are being Invested in activities that will en- hance your life in the tong run and help you succeed in areas that are meaningful to you. What to do: try to maintain this focus for as Long as possible. These tasks shouldn't stress you out but energize you. When you start to see the results of your efforts, such as improved mood and well-being, better grades, or the opportunity to enter your dream university, you'l feel even better. Quadrant 3: Not Important, Urgent ‘These are routine tasks, to0 many of which can make you feel constantly busy and overwhelmed. However, since theyre not particularly import ant, completing them doesn't bring ‘you closer to achieving your goals. Examples include checking noti- fications, responding to messages immediately, or doing house chores. Ifyou have too many of these ‘tasks, it might initially feel satisfy- ing to check off many items on your to-do list. But if youre primarily fo- cused on tasks that aren't import- ant to you, it can lead to frustration and irritation. telitale sign is when you start asking yourself, "What am I wasting my life on?" and find it df= ficult to answer. What to do: Stephen Covey suggests that these tasks should be delegated to others. While this is a good strategy for managers or businesspeople, it’s often impossi- ble or unreasonable for most of us to delegate routine tasks. In such cases, try to minimize their impact on your schedule. For instance, ‘turn off notifications while you're studying or working, and set aside specific times to check and respond to emails. Alternatively, tackle tasks from the third quadrant only after completing those in the first and second quadrants. Quadrant 4 Not Important, Not Urgent These are tasks that are easy to get caught up in but often aren't a worthwhile investment of time. They provide little practical benefit in the long run, especially if more import ant tasks remain unfinished. Exam- ples include scrolling through sociat media feeds, watching TV shows, and playing video games. If you spend a lot of time on these tasks, it can feel like the days are slipping away without any real progress toward your goals, leading to a growing dissatisfaction with yourself What to do: Stephen Covey recommends eliminating such ac tivities from your life, However, such a radical approach may be unjustified Unless youre running a business or an entire country. It's normal to want to take breaks and rest. Depriving yourself of fun in the name of productivity isn't always the best approach (even Eisenhower spent a lot of time golf- ing to relieve work stress). Without breaks, you may quickly burn out and lose interest in everything To prevent social media, TV shows, or video games from consum: ing all your time and energy, con: sider what needs you can meet without them, For instance, see your friends in person instead of texting them for hours, go for a walk, or enjoy a hobby instead of watching TikTok videos. © Lp