Why we love the Eisenhower Matrix

Diego Panza
August 29

Everyone has ‘stuff’ to get done – some of it is urgent, some of it, not as much. And sometimes, there is just so much to do that it can be hard to know how and what to prioritise. Enter the Eisenhower Matrix.

As you’ve probably guessed, the name comes from President Eisenhower, from his days serving in the military. Tough decisions were a continuous requirement which led him to invent this now world-famous Eisenhower principle, which today helps every day people to help prioritise by urgency and importance.

Here is a quick video explaining how it works:

There are some great resources on the Eisenhower website, including these 5 time management tips when working with the Eisenhower matrix.

Putting things to-do on a list frees your mind. But always question what is worth doing first.
Try limiting yourself to no more than eight tasks per quadrant. Before adding another one, complete the most important one first. Remember: It is not about collecting but finishing tasks.
You should always maintain only one list for both business and private tasks. That way you will never be able to complain about not having done anything for your family or yourself at the end of the day.
Do not let you or others distract you. Do not let others define your priority. Plan in the morning, then work on your stuff. And in the end, enjoy the feeling of completion.
Finally, try not to procrastinate that much. Not even by over-managing your to-dos.

Now armed with this simple yet effective tool… the task overwhelm should feel considerably reduced. Happy planning!

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