In a feature article in The Art of Manliness, October 2013, “The Eisenhower Decision Matrix: How to Distinguish Between Urgent and Important Tasks and Make Real Progress in Your Life,” the authors, Brett & Kate McKay, express the importance of men knowing the difference between something that is important and something that is urgent. They go on to agree with Steven Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and former president Dwight D. Eisenhower that men who spend most of their time on the important things will find it less difficult to accomplish their goals and arrive to their purpose in life and in essence help society as a whole do the same. The authors concentrate on the strategies former president Dwight D. Eisenhower used in his successful years as a five star general and president. Dividing things up between what is urgent and what important. They explain how accomplishing urgent things usually involve something that is rushed and causes a man to not feel as confident and assured in what is being done. While accomplishing important things allow a man to feel at ease and confidant that they are closer to their purpose in life. In the article Brett & Kate McKay refer to Steven Covey and his “Eisenhower’s Decision Principle,” expressed in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This principle outlines his version of the strategies Eisenhower used in his successful years. In his book Covey explains his decision matrix, which he refers to as the “Eisenhower Decision Matrix.” Using this matrix Covey intended to help people to make decisions based on what is and is not important and what is and is not urgent and understanding the difference between them. The article claims Covey uses the matrix to divide tasks into four quadrants and has the person, place the task in one of the four quadrants. The quadrants are: 1.Important and Urgent, 2.Important, but Not Urgent, 3.Not Important, but Urgent, and 4.Not Important and Not Urgent. Tasks in quadrant one are tasks that have a necessary deadline, an unexpected beneficial need to take priority, or something of that nature. Some examples include homework for classes, a flat tire, or addressing a child’s behavior issues in school. The authors explain, though men may never get rid of quadrant one task they suggest planning and organization may help to control the amount of tasks in that quadrant. Furthermore, tasks in quadrant two are tasks that are not pressed for time, but are a priority in accomplishing one’s goals and purpose in life. An example of this type of task is something that will improve one’s health, like exercising. It can also be intensifying the bond with their family and friends, for instance family time or adult outings. Another example is planning time and budgeting money to help eliminate possible future urgencies. The article claims that Covey suggests quadrant two should be the area that a person should exhaust the majority of their effort and time into because those tasks will present the most benefits and progress for that person to accomplish their purpose and goals. The authors add that genuinely knowing what is important and fervently doing what is needed to take care of those things is not easy, but is possible. They suggest deciding what is important, then committing to and focusing on continuing to move in the right direction. Moreover, quadrant three tasks are usually tasks that require immediate attention but that do not accomplish anything that will result in becoming closer to arriving to their personal purpose in life. A few examples of these tasks are phone calls, text messages, and favors for people. The article claims, Covey suggested that most of someone’s time is spent in quadrant 3 thinking they are spending time on tasks in quadrant 1. Balancing quadrant 2 and quadrant 3 tasks are needed to accomplish long-term goals. Lastly, quadrant four, tasks that waste time. These are distractions that get in the way of accomplishing life’s purpose and being truly happy. Common activities that fall under this quadrant are watching TV, playing video games, and browsing the web for no particular reason. Brett & Kate McKay suggest only allowing very short amounts of time on these activities to relax and loosen up from the demands of the day. Finally, they express their feelings on how significant being able to decide what is urgent and what is important is and how beneficial it is to posses that skill. Even more, they challenge men to try using Covey’s, “Eisenhower Decision Matrix” with as many tings as they can. The authors, Brett & Kate McKay promise that if men spend the majority of their time and effort on important not urgent tasks and assess the best way to divide their time between the 4 quadrants they will make substantial progress in their goals (McKay).
Works Cited
McKay, Brett, and Kate McKay. "The Eisenhower Decision Matrix: How to Distinguish Between Urgent and Important Tasks and Make Real Progress in Your Life." The Art of Manliness, 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 25 March 2015.
<http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/10/23/eisenhower-decision-matrix/>.
