Eisenhower Matrix

Some advocate tackling important and urgent tasks as a priority, while others advocate prioritizing important yet not urgent tasks daily to cultivate long-term focus and steer clear of the urgency trap.1 For example, the idea of task management systems like GTD and PARA all based on “weight urgency by importance.”

I think the Eisenhower matrix poverlooked an individual’s willingness to do a task. For example, I tend to prioritize tasks categorized as “important but not urgent,” like learning or personal projects, while procrastinating on “important and urgent” tasks such as tedious paperwork. My tendency to procrastinate is more influenced by my dislike for a task rather than its level of importance or urgency.

Additionally, I believe that “delegate” carries a sense of privilege. For those not in leadership roles, there’s often no one to handle their “not important” tasks. Moreover, attempting to shift mundane tasks onto peers is unethical.

Footnotes

  1. ‘Shoulds Before Have-To’s’ note