DO IT OR DUMP IT
Do you have an endless to-do list? Let’s be honest, we all do. Work lists, home lists, shopping lists, you name it. And everything needs doing, like now. Or does it?
The secret of a good night’s sleep is wrangling all those lists into bite-sized chunks and biting off the stuff that matters most.
If only there was a way to sort the news from the noise and get urgent stuff done before it’s screaming. Guess what, there is.
INTRODUCING EISENHOWER’S MATRIX
Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States. He was a man with lots to do. Like most of us, Eisenhower found that urgent stuff took priority over other more important stuff. But the day-to-day whack-a-mole of deadlines was getting him down. Feel familiar?
Here’s HOW IT WORKS
Like most of us, Eisenhower found that important stuff is always important, but urgent stuff gets more urgent all the time. So he split them up: Urgent vs Important.
URGENT + IMPORTANT = DO IT
Urgent and important stuff needs doing right now. So put it at the top of the list and just get it done.
NOT URGENT + IMPORTANT = DIARISE
This stuff isn’t screaming but you can’t forget it. So commit to a time and do it then.
URGENT + NOT IMPORTANT = DELEGATE
If it needs doing now but it doesn’t need you, phone a friend. Who can get this done so you don’t have to?
NOT URGENT + NOT IMPORTANT = DUMP IT
If no-one else is worried, why should you? Cross this off the list, it’ll certainly let you know if it needs to come back.
GIVE IT A GO
Why not see if it works for you? Break down your to-do list by what’s urgent and what’s important. If something ticks both boxes, get it done. Otherwise diarise, delegate or just dump it.
And don’t forget that the most important stuff is the stuff you do for you. The breaks, the gym, the friends and family time. You don’t need to do it all right now, but make the time. Because those are the things you can’t dump.
IMPORTANT
Mental Health is complicated and super important. It’s okay to not feel okay. So if you’re struggling, talk to someone. A friend, family member or your doctor. Or reach out to one of these awesome organisations.