Time Matrix: Where we spend most of our time

This is a Time Matrix taken from Stevey Covey’s material.  Guess which one is the ideal quadrant to be in?

Quadrant #2 – we should spend the  majority of our time doing important, not urgent items because this means we are prioritizing our time and our schedules.

Guess which quadrant will cause burnout? Yes, Quadrant 1 – although the items are important, the fact that they are urgent means that you are constantly under pressure which will eventually lead to burn out.

And guess unfortunately where some will spend a majority of their time? In quadrants three and four.

So feel free to print out the quadrant, post it where you can see it and do a quick count over one week (or even two or three days) of where you spend the majority of your time.

All the best always,

  

                                                                                                                                                              Urgent                                                            Not Urgent

Important

1

The Procrastinator

  • Deadline tomorrow
  • Late for work
  • Project due today
  • Car breaks down

 

 

2

The Prioritizer

  • Planning, goal setting
  • Deadline in a week
  • Exercise
  • Relationships
  • Relaxation

Not Important

3

The Yes-Person

  • Unimportant phone calls
  • Interruptions
  • Other people’s small problems
  • Peer pressure

 

4

The Slacker

  • Too much TV
  • Endless phone calls
  • Excessive email/ facebook/MSN
  • Mall marathons

 

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