Planning
Eisenhower matrix template
Sort tasks by urgent and important, then decide what to do, plan, delegate or drop.
What it is
The Eisenhower matrix sorts tasks by two questions. Is it urgent? Is it important? The answers put each task in one of four boxes: do now, plan, delegate or drop.
When to use it
- On Monday morning, to plan the week
- When the to-do list is too long to know where to start
- In a team, to agree on what can wait
How to run it
- 01
List every task
Put each task on a sticky note next to the matrix. Get all of them out before you sort.
- 02
Sort strictly
Drag each note into a box. Most things feel urgent. Few are.
- 03
Work box by box
Do the first box today and put the second in your calendar. Hand off the third and delete the fourth.
- 04
Repeat next week
Duplicate the board, clear the boxes and sort again. Notes that keep landing in Drop can go for good.
Opens a new board from this prompt:
"Eisenhower matrix for a freelance designer's week with three client projects and a tax deadline"
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