ACTIVITY:
Eisenhower Matrix
Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix, also referred to as Urgent-
Important Matrix, helps you decide on and
prioritize tasks by urgency and importance,
sorting out less urgent and important tasks which
you should either delegate or not do at all. This
principle was developed by Dwight D. Eisenhower,
the 34th President of the United States.
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“What is important is seldom urgent
and what is urgent is seldom
important.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Let’s define urgent and important:
Urgent matters are those that require immediate action.
These are the visible issues that pop up and demand your
attention NOW. Often, urgent matters come with clear
consequences for not completing these tasks. Urgent
matters are unavoidable.
Important matters, on the other hand, are those that
contribute to long-term goals and life values. These items
require planning and thoughtful action. What is important is
subjective and depends on your own values and personal
goals. No one else can define what is important for you.
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URGENT NOT URGENT
Quadrant 1 (Q1) Quadrant 2 (Q2)
tasks are the activities that don’t have a pressing
IMPORTANT
Tasks that are both urgent and important.
deadline, but nonetheless help you achieve your
They’re tasks that require our immediate
important personal, school, and work goals as well
attention and also work towards fulfilling our as help you fulfill your overall mission.
long-term goals and missions in life. Typically, centered around strengthening
Typically consists of crisis, problems or relationships, planning for the future, and
deadline (ex. Last minute deadline assigned to improving yourself. (ex. Exercise, Family time,
HIGH VALUE 1
you) Couple Date night, learning new skill)
Quadrant 3 (Q3) Quadrant 4 (Q4)
NOT IMPORTANT
Activities that require our attention now activities aren’t urgent and aren’t important. Q4
(urgent), but don’t help us achieve our goals activities aren’t pressing nor do they help you
or fulfill our mission (not important). achieve long-term goals or fulfill your mission.
Most Q3 tasks are interruptions from other They’re primarily distractions.
people and often involve helping them meet Ex. Online Games, scrolling through social
their own goals and fulfill their own priorities. media,
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Dynamics
Keeping in mind our God given responsibilities
and priorities, list down your task for the Day or
the Week using the Eisenhower Matrix.
This is an individual activity.
Want big impact? Use big image.
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INPUTS
✘ Putting things to-do on a list frees your mind but always ask
what is worth doing first.
✘ You should only maintain ONE LIST for all your personal, work,
service and other responsibilities.
✘ Try limiting yourself to no more than eight tasks per quadrant.
Before adding another one, complete the most important one
first. Remember: It is not about collecting but finishing tasks.
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INPUTS
✘ Spending too much time on Quadrant 1 tasks
can lead to increased stress, burn out, and the
sense that your days are out of your control.
Spending all day putting out fires will quickly
rob you of energy and passion for your work,
and may make it easier to settle into mindless
escapism found in Quadrant 4.
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INPUTS
✘ By attending to Q2 consistently, you decrease
the number of pressing problems that pop up
in Q1. Living in Q2 means that you can create a
plan to complete projects and avoid possible
problems.
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INPUTS
✘ Given that Q3 tasks are urgent but typically
related to someone else's priorities, spending
too much time in this square can feel like you
are doing things you should do rather than
what you want to do. Covey suggests
delegating as many Q3 tasks as possible.
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INPUTS
✘ Quadrant 4 is the quadrant of excess and
immediate gratification that ultimately leaves
you feeling unfulfilled. Although, it is not
necessary that we get rid of the quadrant 4
activities as these activities helps us to distress
in hectic times.
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Sources
https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/eisenhower-decision-matrix/
https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/
https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/eisenhower-matrix
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