The Questions Matrix for Time Management and Decision Making is based on The Eisenhower Matrix, aka the Urgent-Important Matrix or the Stephen Covey Time Management Matrix, from "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" book. Is a questionning tool to prioritize tasks, activities, choices and decisions based on their urgency and importance.
Questioning Matrix to Manage and Decide
Urgent and Important
- What tasks require immediate attention to prevent negative consequences?
- Which tasks directly contribute to my most important goals or projects?
- Are there any emergencies or crises that need to be addressed urgently?
- What tasks have deadlines approaching in the near future?
- Which tasks involve critical decision-making or problem-solving?
- What actions can I take right now to address urgent matters without sacrificing quality?
- What pressing problems or issues demand immediate resolution?
Important but Not Urgent
- What tasks align with my long-term goals and aspirations?
- Are there any opportunities for personal or professional growth that I should prioritize?
- What activities can I engage in to strengthen relationships with important contacts?
- What strategic planning or brainstorming sessions can I schedule to improve efficiency?
- What are my long-term goals and objectives, both personally and professionally?
- How can I allocate time for activities that contribute to my personal growth and development?
- What proactive steps can I take to prevent or avoid future crises, urgent tasks or emergencies?
Urgent but Not Important
- Which tasks can be delegated to others without sacrificing quality?
- Are there any interruptions or distractions that I can delegate or minimize?
- Do any tasks involve routine administrative work that can be automated?
- What emails or phone calls can be deferred to a later time or handled by someone else?
- Are there any non-essential meetings or commitments that I can decline or reschedule?
- How can I distinguish between genuinely urgent tasks and those that merely appear urgent due to external pressures?
- What boundaries can I establish to minimize interruptions and stay focused on important activities?
Not Urgent and Not Important
- What activities am I engaging in that do not contribute to my personal or professional growth?
- Are there any time-wasting habits or behaviors that I can eliminate?
- What trivial tasks or distractions am I spending too much time on?
- Can I reduce the frequency of non-essential meetings or social media usage?
- Are there any low-priority tasks, routines or obligations that I can streamline or eliminate altogether?
- What are the activities or habits that consume my time without adding value to my life?
- What steps can I take to declutter my schedule and create more space for meaningful pursuits??
