Priorities
how to assign
MOTIVATION
After overcoming winter depression and stress, the question arises of how to use our newfound time wisely and where to focus our efforts. Ideally, on what we all strive for – a more fulfilling, happy, meaningful, and successful life. What this means varies for each person, but the challenges remain the same. This week, I want to describe using the Eisenhower Matrix how we can get closer to our goals by setting priorities.
Can you immediately say what a 'fulfilling life' means to you? General answers like 'being happy', 'staying healthy', or 'becoming rich' don't count! It's important to define goals, as detailed as possible. Don't limit yourself in this process and don't be afraid of not achieving them or being disappointed. The advantage of setting high goals is that you'll probably be satisfied if you achieve only half of them in the end. After all, the journey is the goal, and priorities are the key.
Important and Urgent: In this quadrant, we find tasks that require immediate action (or not, if it's already too late). They are often unforeseen and can throw us off balance. But how do we handle these inevitable challenges without feeling overwhelmed? Here, it's crucial to remain calm and proceed systematically. One tip might be to schedule time each day for potential unpredictabilities, to avoid constantly operating in crisis mode. Examples include deadlines for tax returns or a medical emergency.
Important, but Not Urgent: This quadrant represents activities that truly enrich our lives. These include our personal goals, hobbies, maintaining interpersonal relationships, and developing new skills like computer software or learning languages. These tasks require more self-motivation, as they often don't have immediate deadlines or urgencies. But it is here that the secret to a satisfied and balanced life lies. A helpful approach might be to consciously allocate time for these activities, schedule them in your calendar, and view them as an indispensable part of daily life.
Not Important, but Urgent: This area includes tasks that may seem urgent but are not necessarily important for our long-term goals. Here, it is crucial to learn to say no and set boundaries. Distinguishing between real obligations and distractions is an art. Ask yourself: Does this task serve my well-being or my goals? If not, it might be time to delegate or postpone it.
Not Important and Not Urgent: Tasks in this quadrant are often pure time-wasters and contribute little to nothing to our personal growth. By learning to minimize these activities, we can create more space for Quadrant II – activities that truly enrich us. This might mean being more conscious about how we use our leisure time and pursuing hobbies or interests that are genuinely important to us.
This matrix helps in setting priorities and using time more efficiently by focusing on important tasks and minimizing less important ones. This means concentrating our energy on Quadrants 1 and 2, viewing Quadrant 3 as a balance, and gradually moving away from Quadrant 4.
A key part of our journey to a more fulfilling life involves dealing with challenges and setbacks. It's inevitable that we'll encounter obstacles along the way. The first step in overcoming these obstacles is acceptance. It's important to acknowledge the reality of a situation rather than denying it or running away from it. Instead of viewing failures as personal defeats, we should see them as opportunities to learn. I believe that none of us has to go through tough times alone. A supportive network of family, friends, and colleagues can assist us on our journey. If not, it's time to seek a new environment. Remember that each of us has the power to effect positive changes in our lives, and despite occasional setbacks, we can continue to grow and develop. My goal with my blogs is not just to inform but to inspire, motivate, and accompany you, and I hope I have been able to add value to you so far. Stay tuned...
Assuming we already know our goals, we must actively work towards them and make conscious decisions and priorities. This is where the Eisenhower Matrix comes in handy. It consists of four quadrants formed on the basis of two criteria: urgency and importance. The quadrants are typically divided as follows:
Related link (last visit 22.12.2023): Bundesverwaltungsamt: "Eisenhower-Matrix"