Exploring Popular Focus Techniques - Eisenhower Matrix

This productivity matrix gets its name from the 34th president of the united states, Dwight. D Eisenhower, who famously uttered the statement, “I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important.”

You would have to imagine that one needs to be orderly and productive to serve 2 terms as the United States president not to mention launching programs that directly led to the USA’s exponential growth and success post the industrial revolution.

Some of his most notable achievements as 34th and 35th US president below.

• Interstate Highway System,
• DARPA's internet rollout,
• Space exploration (NASA)
• Using alternative sources of energy (Atomic Energy Act)

What was the secret to his “super” productivity? Its rather simple, the matrix, as you can see above, is based on prioritizing and decision making. Using the matrix you organize your activities based of 4 criteria.

• Urgency- How soon does the task need to be done
• Importance- Does the completion of this task add to long term goals
• Not Urgent- Do you still have time before deadline?
• Not Important - is it killing time in which you could be productive?

Below is a matrix example from Jamesclear.com and we love it because it puts into to context the modern distractions we often consider important and urgent and places these activities within the matrix such that its clear how decision making is eased by the matrix.

How to use the matrix?

Create your matrix like the one above, and then slot what you think are your most pressing tasks for the day in order of how you view them against the matrix.

You want to start off by removing/eliminating any tasks that do not fall under urgent and important and make sure you deal with the activity accordingly, whether its rescheduling a meeting or delegating a task let this be done first. More often than not we clutter our days work by spending time on tasks that really do not your attention that urgently, were all guilty of being “busy” cleaning up our emails or cleaning up the clutter from the previous day.

Focus on being productive instead of busy. - This is what the matrix is here to help you with, as you have to revise your activities daily to see whether or not you are actually working towards your goals.

If you are one of those people that find themselves spending the first 30 minutes of your work day “getting ready the day” you might want to try this focus technique alongside a productivity tool like a focus mat. Check out our store page on some great deals on our newest offering!

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