How to get more done in less time is a well-known theory about productivity; more specifically on how to improve your productivity.
Dwight Eisenhower was known for his prolific productivity. So what was his secret?
“What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.”
Dwight Eisenhower
The Eisenhower Matrix
It is a task management tool that helps you organize and prioritise tasks by urgency and importance.
The Eisenhower Matrix is represented by a 2×2 grid box popularised by Stephen Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Using the tool, you’ll divide your tasks into four boxes based on the tasks you’ll do first, the tasks you’ll schedule for later, the tasks you’ll delegate, and the tasks you’ll delete.
To be honest, we use this matrix when we are going through the news. Especially to ensure we deliver the right news stories in an unbiased way to our audience, who demand more than the usual garbage that falls onto a typical news desk.
How to get more done in less time
The Eisenhower Matrix forces you to differentiate between the urgent and the important to prioritise your time accordingly.
An URGENT task is one that requires immediate attention to complete. An IMPORTANT task is one that contributes to your long-term mission or goals.
The four quadrants of the 2×2 grid:
- Important & Urgent
- Important & Not Urgent
- Not Important & Urgent
- Not Important & Not Urgent
Let’s walk through each:
Important & Urgent
They require immediate, focused attention—but also contribute to your long-term mission or goals. These are “Do Now!” tasks and manage these tasks.
Important & Not Urgent
These tasks are your compounders—they build long-term value in your life. These are “Decide” tasks.
Spend more time on these tasks—plan the time to do deep work here. This is where you should try to spend most of your time and energy.
“I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.”
Eisenhower
Not Important & Urgent
These tasks are in the “beware” category—they can drain time and energy without contributing to your long-term goals. These are “Delegate” tasks.
Spend less time here and try to delegate over time to people for whom the tasks will be important.
Not Important & Not Urgent
These are the time-wasting tasks and activities that drain your energy and sap your productivity. These are “Delete” tasks.
The Eisenhower Matrix is a favourite tool of professionals to increase productivity tool
Spend less time here
Putting It All Together
Use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorise your current tasks.
The Goal: Spend more time on the important tasks that contribute to your long-term values and goals.
In simple terms how to best use the Eisenhower matrix
• Manage top-right
• Spend more time in top-left
• Waste less time in the bottom half
The Eisenhower Matrix is a favourite tool of the go-getter mindset to increase productivity tool—most people use it every single day. You can also follow up with more reading at this website.
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