Later these two dimensions, urgency, and importance, were used to create a 2x2 Time Management Matrix. Covey and the Four Quadrants of Time Management It demands focus – takes focus away from other things that might actually be more important. Of all the things you do, how much is urgent? And how much is really important? Important as in “this will help me achieve my long-term goals”. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.” In a speech he once said “I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important. Eisenhower was famous for his outstanding productivity. The foundations of the method reach back to US president Dwight D. You can use this matrix to better see where you spend your time and what you should change about it. It categorizes activities by urgency and importance and then maps them onto a 2x2 matrix. The best part is that it’s quick – even the busiest among us can put this to work for them in their lives within minutes.The Time Management Matrix (also known as The 4 Quadrants of Time Management, Eisenhower Matrix, or Eisenhower Box) is a time management strategy that helps to prioritize the many tasks and responsibilities that most of us have to handle.
Stephen covey 4 quadrants pdf#
It’s a free PDF guide you can use to spell out exactly which tasks you do everyday and then quickly build momentum towards the things that matter the most.
Stephen covey 4 quadrants download#
Ready to take a look at your tasks on the matrix and learn a simple, easy way to build momentum towards the right tasks?Ĭlick here to download your copy of the Time Matrix Maximizer. Real, hard deadlines for important projects.Perhaps not entirely rational, but at least her priorities are in order. Maintaining relationships with family/friends.There are some other important, yet not urgent, things that fall into this quadrant as well: Your overall health is something you may take for granted today, and may not see urgency in dealing with it – but long term, we know it’s of supreme importance. Email that you have to reply to right away or it loses value (“Do you want some donuts? I have some in my office!”).Other “Urgent” tasks that add little to no value My favorite examples, though I could have picked out more – Too much television/channel surfing for the sake of channel surfing.Quadrant 4 – Not Urgent and Not ImportantĬlearly, not urgent, not important – and an obvious time waster. In addition to providing text examples, I’m going to have a little fun and illustrate items from each quadrant in the time management matrix using one of my favorite comics, XKCD. In Quadrant 4 (bottom right) we have unimportant and also not urgent items – items that don’t have to be done anytime soon, perhaps add little to no value and also should be minimized or eliminated.These are the time sucks, the “poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part” variety of tasks. In Quadrant 3 (bottom left) we have urgent, but unimportant items – items which should be minimized or eliminated.This quadrant is highlighted because Covey emphasizes this is the quadrant that we should focus on for long term achievement of goals In Quadrant 2 (top right) we have important, but not urgent items – items that are important but do not require your immediate attention, and need to be planned for.In Quadrant 1 (top left) we have important, urgent items – items that need to be dealt with immediately.
Productive people from everyone else: how were they able to prioritize their work I came across these principles as I was studying what separated highly When it comes to being efficient, Stephen Covey’s time management matrix makes it easy to figure out what you “need” to be doing with your time andĬovey is the author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and First Things First