How Do You Choose When Everything Is A Priority?
By Craig Johns
Do you find that you are overwhelmed with a whole lot of ideas and items on your to do list, and you don’t know where to start?
I have found the Priority 2×2 Matrix my best friend when it comes to productivity, performance and effective output.
There are two great Priority 2×2 Matrix that will help you find clarity, speed up the decision making process and manage your time more effectively:
- IMPORTANCE vs URGENCY
- IMPACT vs EFFORT
IMPORTANCE vs URGENCY
When there is a sense of urgency and overwhelm, I first start with IMPORTANCE vs URGENCY. Start by creating a 2×2 grid (adapted from President Dwight Eisenhower) with IMPORTANCE on the y-axis (vertical) and URGENCY x-axis (horizontal). Then place your ideas or to-do item’s in the grid according to their IMPORTANCE and URGENCY.
- High importance, high urgency (Top right box)
- High importance, low urgency (Top left box)
- Low importance, high urgency (Bottom right box)
- Low importance, low urgency (Bottom left box)
Choose the top 3 priorities that are positioned in the in the far right and highest point of the top right box (high importance / high urgency), and use these as your three tasks to complete today or first (if they will take longer than one day). After you have completed tasks in box #1, then you will need to determine which tasks in box 2 or 3 are more important. The IMPACT vs EFFORT Priority 2×2 Matrix will assist you in making this decision.
Sometimes it is really challenging to differentiate between the tasks, when they all feel important and urgent. That’s when the IMPACT vs EFFORT Priority 2×2 Matrix, becomes your go to tool to find clarity.
IMPACT vs EFFORT
Create a 2×2 grid (adapted from President Dwight Eisenhower) with IMPACT on the y-axis (vertical) and EFFORT x-axis (horizontal). Then place your ideas or to-do item’s in the grid according to their IMPACT and EFFORT.
- High impact, high effort (Top right box)
- High impact, low effort (Top left box)
- Low impact, high effort (Bottom right box)
- Low impact, low effort (Bottom left box)
Choose the top 3 priorities that are positioned in the far left and at the highest point of the top left box (high impact / low urgency), and use these as your three tasks to complete today or first (if they will take longer than one day). After you have completed tasks in box #2, then you will need to focus on tasks in box 1.
It is really important that you only choose a maximum of 3 tasks to complete each day, no matter whether you use the IMPORTANCE vs URGENCY or IMPACT vs EFFORT Priority 2×2 Matrix.
It’s time for you to find clarity, make a decision and own your time!
Want to learn more:
NRG2Perform www.nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns www.craigjohnsspeaker.com
Craig Johns craig@nrg2perform.com
Craig Johns LinkedIn
Recommended Reading:
Target Market Behaviours During Loss, Uncertainty And Change Link
Are Leaders Born? Read Article
Fuel Your Body For Leadership Performance Read Article
How Exercise Enhances A Leaders Performance Read Article
Four Basic Fundamentals Of Being A High Performing Leader Read Article
How To Be A High Performing Leader In 2020 Read Article
active CEO Lessons In 2019 Read Article
Four Ways To Overcome CEO Loneliness In 2020 Read Article