25
Covey’s time matrix (Eisenhower)
The big picture
Stephen Covey (1932–2012) popularised a tool used by US President Eisenhower, designed to help you to prioritise your time and activities based on the levels of importance and urgency of your tasks – see Figure 25.1.
Think of the quadrants this way:
- Deadlines and crises.
- Planned, prioritised work.
- Disallowable interruptions which you allow anyway.
- Things that you should probably do outside work.
Figure 25.1 Covey’s time matrix
Source: Adapted from Covey, S.R. (2004) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Simon & Schuster. Reproduced with permission.
When to use it
The time matrix ...
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