Training is a proactive Quadrant 2 activity.
Time management - Self Management
– in your
professional and personal life
The tables show results that stem from activities, and how, by focussing on our activities, we can achieve better results and be more effective
Important matters
are those that contribute
towards achieving your priority goals.
Urgent
matters
demand immediate attention but are
not necessarily important or geared towards meeting your priorities
or goals.
Be proactive - begin with the end in mind!
If we do not act
with the end in mind,
if we do not have a clear idea of what is
important,
of the results we desire in our life,
we are easily
diverted into responding to the urgent.
Put first things first!
The
Four Quadrant Time Management Matrix
The following Activities matrix maps to the Results
below it:
|
Activities: |
Urgent |
Not Urgent |
|
Important |
Quadrant 1 Crises Pressing Problems Deadline-driven projects, meetings, preparations |
Quadrant 2 Preparation, Prevention, Planning, Values clarification, Empowerment, Relationship building, Re-creation, Recognising new opportunities. |
|
Not Important |
Quadrant 3 Interruptions, Some telephone calls, Some mail, Some reports, Many close pressing matters, Many popular activities. |
Quadrant 4 Trivia, Junk mail, Some phone calls, Time wasters, “Escape” activities. |
The matrix below shows the Results of the above Activities in each of the quadrants
|
Results: |
Urgent |
Not Urgent |
|
Important |
Quadrant 1 Stress Burnout Crisis Management Always putting out fires |
Quadrant 2 Vision, perspective Balance Discipline Control Few Crises |
|
Not Important |
Quadrant 3 Short-term focus, Crisis management Reputation - chameleon character, See plans and goals as worthless, Feel victimised, out of control, Shallow or broken relationships |
Quadrant 4 Total irresponsibility, Fired from jobs Dependent on others or institutions for basics. (these results usually apply to quadrant 3 also) |
We have to spend some time in quadrant 1 but this consumes some people and, as long as you focus on it, it keeps growing until it dominates you. Many people spend time in 3 thinking they are in 1, i.e. spending time reacting to what is urgent assuming it is also important.
Effective people stay out of quadrants 3 & 4 and shrink quadrant 1 down to size by spending more time in 2 – improved communication, better preparation and planning, taking better care of self, personal development, seizing new opportunities, etc. Achieve balance and synergy in the four human needs – Spiritual, Physical, Mental & Social
Quadrant 2 is the heart of effective personal management. It deals with what is important.
The Time manager Matrix is taken from:
Source:
Covey, Stephen R., 1990, The 7 Habits of Highly
Effective People, Restoring the Character Ethic, New
York, Fireside. 1999, First Things First
