Managing Priorities is the Key
As a productivity junkie for the longest time, I was always trying to figure out how to get more done in less time. I figured that if I could only get up earlier, stay up later, fit this in here, or multi-task there, I could get more done. I thought that by doing more, I could come closer to achieving my goals and dreams. As it turns out, I was chasing the wrong thing. It’s not about managing your time, but managing your priorities.
Stephen Covey (1932-2012) explains this concept well in his book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” with the Life Quadrants diagram. As the diagram indicates, the things we spend time on have an urgency and importance.
Urgency vs. Importance
Those things that are more urgent beg to be done now. The more urgent they are, the less control we have. Those things that are more important contribute most to our relationships, goals and well being. The more important an activity is, the more focus and perspective it brings to our life.
The more time we can spend doing the least urgent, but most important things, (Quadrant II) the more we can live according to our values, mission, priorities and dreams. Admittedly, quadrant II is the hardest area of focus (but the most important), because it doesn’t scream for our attention and demands intentionality. We don’t typically “drift” into Quadrant II.
Quadrant I — You need to deal with stuff here.
The quadrant of “Deadlines and Fire Drills.” In Quadrant I are the urgent and important things of life. Bad things happen if they aren’t dealt with. These may include:
- Paying bills
- Changing the baby’s diaper
- Changing a flat tire
- Homework assignments
- Keeping appointments
Quadrant II — Set your sights here.
The quadrant of “Growth and Quality of Life.” In Quadrant II are the least urgent, but most important things of life. These are the easiest activities to avoid, because there’s not a looming deadline. It’s potentially the most lucrative area to spend your time because this where we move life’s needle. Examples include:
- Exercise, fitness, and health
- Goal setting and planning
- Date nights
- Reading and Writing
- Hobbies and other passions you want to master
- Creating following a budget
- Volunteer service
- Spending family time
- Prayer and meditation
- A business venture
- Professional development
Quadrant III — Avoid.
The quadrant of “Deception and interruption.” Quadrant III is that place where unimportant things rob your time. They tend to be urgent, but unimportant. Typically, this is where others demand things of you that don’t contribute to your goals or relationships. It’s easy to stay in this quadrant because it feels like we’re doing important things. They can include activities like:
- Answering emails and phone calls
- Interruptions from colleagues
- Meetings
- Texts
Quadrant IV — Stay Away at All Costs.
The quadrant of “Excess and Waste.” These activities are time wasters, and we instinctually know it. They suck out the ability for you to live productively and meaningfully. They are neither urgent, or important. Don’t feel too bad, however; if some of these things contribute to a meaningful area of life (such as genuine rest and relaxation, intellectual stimulation, contribution to goals, quality time with others, etc.) then they can be safely categorized as Quadrant II. The key factor may be how often and long you find yourself doing them.
- Social media
- TV binge watching
- Video games
- Web surfing
- Shopping
I encourage you to soak-in the above diagram and evaluate your activities against your priorities. For even more clarity on this, read Stephen Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” Ask yourself, what activities dominate most of your time? You can be assured that Quadrant II activities will get you closer to being the person you want to become. It’s really about priority management, so much more than time management.
Be Your Best!