Think About Time Management - Matrix

We are all familiar with Stephen Covey’s famous time management quadrants. I have a new twist on this concept based upon the importance of tasks to the parties involved in them. Whether we realize it or not, every task we do has an impact on both us and other parties. Obvious examples like paying someone we owe money too impacts both parties. However, even a task like learning a new language impacts others. Why, because if you commit to learn French, you are taking time away from family members who may miss your company and find the relationship devalued as you spend less time with them. The matrix below defines tasks simply based upon the importance of the task to the parties involved.

                                           Important to Me                  Unimportant to Me
Important to You                            1                                               2

Unimportant to You                        3                                              4


Let’s look at the various quadrants and see how this concept works.

Quadrant one is pretty easy. If a task is important to both parties, you both will be motivated to make sure it gets done.

Quadrant two tasks are not important to me, but are important to you. This is a quadrant you need to be concerned with. You are not worried about these tasks, but another party is. If you ignore these tasks you run the risk of disappointing another person you may care about.

Quadrant three tasks are important to me, but unimportant to you, so I have to drive the bus in these and make these things happen. If I don’t get it done, since it is not a priority for another person, there is only downside to me if it is not completed. If it is a task the other person needs to get done, I need to make sure I stay on top of them, since it is unimportant to them. You may need to manage the process to make sure it happens.

Quadrant four tasks neither party really cares about, so these you may prune or assigning a lower priority to.

This matrix gives you a new tool to evaluate how you approach time and task management. Pay attention to quadrant two tasks to make sure you are keeping up with important relationships as well as quadrant three tasks which other may be doing on your behalf. Let us know if you have any questions.


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