TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX from Stephen Covey’s book “First Things First”

The time management matrix is a way of organising your day so that you spend your time as effectively as possible. You can personalise your own matrix – so for example if phone calls are your priority every day those would always go in the urgent and important box.

Aim to spend 60% of your time on Category 2 activities, leaving 40% of your time to more reactive tasks (Categories 1 & 3). Eliminate Category 4 activities.

Urgent Not Urgent

I II

(MANAGE) (FOCUS)  Crisis  Preparation/planning  Medical emergencies  Prevention  Pressing problems  Values clarification  Deadline-driven projects  Exercise  Relationship-building  Last-minute preparations for scheduled activities  True recreation/relaxation

Quadrant of Quality & Quadrant of Necessity Personal Leadership

III IV

(AVOID) (AVOID)  Interruptions, some calls  Trivia, busywork  Some mail & reports  Junk mail  Some meetings  Some phone  Many “pressing” matters messages/email  Time wasters  Many popular activities  Escape activities

 Viewing mindless TV shows

Quadrant of Deception Quadrant of Waste

Provided courtesy of Kathy Paauw  www.DeclutterYourLife.com  [email protected]