#Eisenhower priority matrix how to

Pro tip: There are two types of tasks in this first quadrant: tasks that you couldn’t foresee and tasks that you procrastinated. Focus on accomplishing these tasks first. These are tasks that have both high importance and urgency. The first quadrant is your “important and urgent” to-do list.

#Eisenhower priority matrix how to

As you identify which tasks or activities are important, urgent, or a combination of the two, you can then decide how to handle them. Using the Eisenhower matrix to make decisionsĮach quadrant corresponds to a different level of priority. This work cycle puts you in a reactionary mode where you are constantly putting out fires and reacting to the “next urgent thing.”īy distinguishing between what is urgent and what is important, you can start to work proactively. One of the great productivity pitfalls we fall into is focusing too much on urgent tasks and neglecting the important ones. Sometimes we put off important tasks long enough that they then become urgent-causing stress and anxiety as we rush to finish them on time. Urgent: Urgent tasks are time sensitive and demand immediate attention. This makes it easy to neglect them in the short term for more urgent activities.

They are often focused on the long term and may not have immediate results. Important: Important tasks align with your values and help you achieve your goals. “What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.”Īt the heart of the Eisenhower matrix is understanding the difference between “urgent” and “important” tasks. The idea is to make a list of all the tasks you need to accomplish and sort them into the applicable quadrant. Quadrant 1: Important and urgent Quadrant 2: Important but not urgent Quadrant 3: Urgent but not important Quadrant 4: Not important, not urgent

The matrix is divided into four parts or quadrants: The Eisenhower matrix (also known as the “urgent-important matrix”) is a simple decision-making tool that helps you prioritize your to-do list based on urgency and importance.