Eisenhower Matrix (4 Quadrants): prioritize what matters
The Eisenhower Matrix is a simple 2×2 framework that helps you decide what to do now, what to schedule, what to delegate, and what to drop — based on urgency and importance.
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Quadrant 1: Do
Urgent + Important. Time-sensitive work with real consequences.
Quadrant 2: Schedule
Not urgent + Important. Long-term progress: health, learning, planning.
Quadrant 3: Delegate
Urgent + Not important. Interruptions and requests that can be handled by others.
Quadrant 4: Eliminate
Not urgent + Not important. Low-value tasks that drain attention.
Start here
- Brain-dump your tasks and classify each one by urgency and importance.
- Limit Quadrant 1 so you’re not living in constant “urgent mode”.
- Protect Quadrant 2 time — it’s where most long-term wins come from.
- Automate or delegate Quadrant 3; aggressively prune Quadrant 4.