Get more done in less time – What to do and what to forget

By Jerry Bellune
April 21, 2014

What to do and what to forget
Stephen Covey looked at life and work objectively.
The best-selling author advised using a matrix.
His four fields of the matrix are:

Urgent and Important. These are:
• The ones you could not foresee and plan for.
• Those you’ve left to the last minute.
Avoid last-minute panic by planning and prioritizing.
Remember the 3Ps: Procrastination produces panic.
Crises cannot always be foreseen or avoided.
Leave time in your schedule for the unexpected.

Urgent and Not Important.
 This is anything that stops you reaching your goals.
Could this be done later or delegated to someone else?
When friends or employees interrupt you:
• Say “Not now” politely and ask them to see you later.
Schedule time when you are available to them.
Then you can deal together with all issues at one time.
• Ask them how they would solve the problem.
Then recommend they give it a try.
It may not be the best solution but its their solution.
They will work harder to make their solution succeed.
You’ve also told them you trust them to solve it.

Not Urgent but Important
These help you achieve your goals and dreams.
Block time for them so that they don’t become urgent. Leave time to deal with unexpected problems.
This will help avoid stress and keep you on schedule.

Not Urgent and Not Important
These activities are a needless distraction.
Ignore or cancel them.
When people ask you to do them say:
“I’d like to help you, just not now.”