Every modern person strives to be successful. It is for this reason that time management is so popular. This is a technique that teaches effective planning. Today it is used not only by politicians and businessmen, but also by simple housewives. But do not take the time management of the invention of the last decade. Half a century ago, many busy people thought about increasing their own productivity. A striking example of this is the Eisenhower matrix named after its creator. As a tool for setting priorities , the thirty-fourth US president, Dwight David Eisenhower, used it.
D. Eisenhower - genius of efficiency
Dwight David Eisenhower served as President of the United States from 1953 to 1961. This outstanding man is known for his military career. Eisenhower took part in the First and Second World Wars, received the rank of army general. Known 34-th US president and as one of the founders of NATO. Contemporaries noted that Dwight was a versatile person with a lively mind, was disciplined and organized. The outstanding figure left to his descendants such an effective planning tool as the Eisenhower matrix. As a tool to prioritize and organize their own activities, everyone can use it.
General description of the Eisenhower matrix
Dwight Eisenhower came up with a very simple and yet incredibly convenient planning system. For convenience and clarity, he painted his matrix in the form of a square. All planned cases Eisenhower offers to divide into four categories. The first is to determine all the most important, requiring immediate resolution. In the second - business and responsibilities that are important, but can wait. The third category is all urgent, but not important. In the last group, unimportant and non-urgent plans are recorded. The Eisenhower matrix as a tool for setting priorities is ideally suited for short-term planning. With its help, you can plan business for 1-2 days. How to build your own Eisenhower matrix? You only need a sheet of paper and a pen. Draw a square and divide it into four equal parts. Now let's talk about what matters to write down.
The first square: the most important and urgent matters
In the first segment of the square of the Eisenhower matrix, one should write down the most important cases, which must be done urgently. If this planning system is used correctly and consistently, this list should always be empty. The essence of the matrix is reduced to having time to do important things in the required time and not to allow the work. Of course, if you are just starting to use this planning system, 1-2 positions in this category can be.
What are the important tasks that can be worthy of placement in the block "What needs to be done without delay"? A student in this category can place the exam, the head of the company - a meeting with business partners, a housewife - an emergency service call in case of problems with the water supply. The schedule for assessing the priority of cases should cover all areas of your life. Family plans and affairs, visits to doctors and stylists, shopping trips - all this should be inscribed in the Eisenhower matrix. For example, if you have a bad toothache, a visit to the dentist can be made in the first square of the daily plan (as an important matter that can not be postponed).
Second square: important tasks that do not require immediate execution
One of the most significant areas of the Eisenhower matrix is its second square, in which it is necessary to write important cases that do not have deadlines. With effective use of the planning system, there must always be some tasks. It is important to timely check with your personal plan in this category and follow it. Write down in the given box the projects that you are currently working on. You can also make scheduled calls and meetings here, writing a thesis. The second square should list all the tasks that must be performed as far as possible. The planning system assumes that the cases from this category will be dealt with first of all. Only in this case it will be possible to avoid force majeure and rush, and the first square of the matrix, respectively, will remain empty.
The third square: urgent, but unimportant matters
The third area of the Eisenhower matrix is designed to record cases that have a minor priority of importance, but which require urgent solutions. This is all that reduces your productivity and prevents you from doing the basic work. Was the computer broken during the report? This task should be inscribed in the third square, it should be solved as quickly as possible. It is also possible to review correspondence, perform daily routine work that does not require the adoption of serious decisions. Do not forget that the Eisenhower matrix - as a tool for setting priorities - should help you keep all your affairs under control. Do not miss the little things, and you will succeed.
The fourth square: cases of non-urgent and unimportant
The last, fourth square of the matrix is intended for recording tasks and pastime options that are unimportant and non-urgent. D. Eisenhower called this category "the list of devourers of time". In the fourth square we write everything that does not have a positive effect on the main activity, but it positively affects the psychoemotional state of a person. This is personal conversations on the phone, watching entertainment programs, social networking.
What can be done from the fourth square without compromising one's own productivity? The Eisenhower Matrix will work if you can focus and do not take breaks while performing a specific task. In "devourers of time" there is nothing wrong, if they help you relax and rest. For example, you can try to divide your work day into blocks and alternate active activities with short breaks for rest.
Example of filling the Eisenhower matrix
How quickly to master the skill of effective planning with the Eisenhower matrix? Begin by drawing up a daily plan. In your diary, draw a square matrix, divide it into 4 equal parts and number them. Now it remains only to correctly determine the priority of their own affairs and tasks. It was for this purpose that the Eisenhower matrix was invented. An example of its filling you can see in our article. If a busy day is planned and there are a lot of cases, you can first write them out in a draft copy with a common list.
And how to set long-term goals for yourself? The Eisenhower Matrix was invented for short-term planning. When working with long-term goals, it makes sense to use a separate list. Then break the complex task into several sub-items, and some of them enter into the daily planning.