The Eisenhower Matrix - An Effective Framework to Prioritize Your Tasks

The Eisenhower Matrix is a system that helps in prioritization and time-management. If well used, it can improve productivity by leveraging its prioritization framework. When you have a list of task that need to get done, it can serve you to determine which ones need immediate attention, which ones are better done at a later time, which ones are better handled when delegated, or which ones are best avoided. The system is anchored in two dimensions: the urgency and importance of tasks. This is how it works:

1. If something is important and urgent: Do it now. This category comprises tasks that either have deadlines or may lead to serious consequences if not done. Examples include a crying baby, a kitchen fire, or an urgent request from your boss. DO IT FIRST.
2. If something is important but not urgent: Schedule it for later. Under this category fall tasks that have unclear or undetermined deadlines. Examples: learning a new language, going on a vacation. SCHEDULE IT.
3. If something is urgent but not important: Delegate it. This category comprises tasks that are better done but do not necessarily require your input or your skill set. Examples can include things like emails from colleagues on other projects. You can ask someone else to help them. DELEGATE IT.
4. If something is neither urgent nor important: Don’t do it. This category includes unnecessary tasks that distract you — time-wasters. AVOID IT.

Below is a visual example of the Eisenhower matrix: