What it is

The Eisenhower Matrix organizes priorities into four quadrants based on urgency and importance, prioritizing what to do first, schedule, delegate, or eliminate.

When to use it

The Eisenhower Matrix is most effective when time is limited and priorities compete, helping identify what deserves focus. Use it when:

  • Everything feels urgent and important at once
  • You need to decide what matters most before reacting
  • Your list of priorities is long and hard to manage
  • You want to shift focus from urgent work to important work

How to use it

The Eisenhower Matrix guides you through evaluating and categorizing tasks to take focused, effective action.

  1. List your tasks.
  2. For each task, ask: Is it urgent (time sensitive)? Is it important (has meaningful impact)?
  3. Place each task into the matching quadrant: Do first, Schedule, Delegate, or Eliminate.
  4. Take action according to the quadrant.

Do First

Urgent & important

  • A project deadline due tomorrow
  • Preparing for an unexpected presentation
  • Responding to an urgent compliance issue

Schedule

Not urgent & important

  • Improving how your team works
  • Strategic planning for the next quarter
  • Learning a skill that supports long‑term goals

Delegate

Urgent & not important

  • Routine status update emails
  • Scheduling meetings that someone else can
  • Data collection that a colleague can handle

Eliminate

Not urgent & not important

  • Attending meetings without a clear purpose
  • Creating reports that no one uses
  • Scrolling social media out of habit

Example

The Eisenhower Matrix helps prioritize by categorizing real-world tasks into actionable groups:

  • Meet a deadline due tomorrow in Do first.
  • Improve how your team works in Schedule.
  • Hand off status updates that others can handle in Delegate.
  • Stop creating reports no one reads in Eliminate.

Priority Flow

1

Do First

Deadline tomorrow

→
2

Schedule

Team improvement

→
3

Delegate

Status updates

→
4

Eliminate

Unread reports

Key takeaway

Focus most of your time on Schedule (important but not urgent). This reduces stress, keeps you ahead of deadlines, and ensures you work on what matters most.

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