I got reminded of this simple, yet very simple tool by a post on LinkedIn and I am re-posting this article today. I have given considerable thought to this throughout the years.
I have always sought to make an impact, to exert change; and for that, it is vital to to focus on the important work that actually makes that change happen. One of the biggest enemies that goes unnoticed often, is “busy work”, the myriad of things that pull on your attention, every day.
It all comes down to understanding the difference between the important, vs. the urgent. Until recently, I did not know that this had a name. Let me introduce you to the Eisenhower Matrix!
This two axis matrix provides a framework to handle everything that life throws at you. It is fairly simple, but anything urgent & important must be done immediately, things that are important but can wait, should be scheduled, making sure that you commit doing them, the urgent but not important stuff must be delegated if possible, and finally, if it is neither urgent nor important you should just ignore them.
The principle on why we go and tend to avoid the important stuff and keep engaged with menial stuff that gives as comfort is rooted in some cognitive biases that are very well explained in this article.
A framework to live by. It doesn’t solve for what you should consider important, for that, you'll have to listen to your heart.
Thanks for the reminder. I’m moving this to the front of my brain.