1. List it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
List out all of your activities, projects, and commitments. Include everything that will take up your time: family, work, friends, volunteering, sports, hobbies. If it requires physical or mental effort or you spend time doing it \u2014 it needs to go on the list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Label it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Label every single item on your list according to four categories: Low Urgency-Low Importance (1), Low Importance-High Urgency (2), Low Urgency-High Importance (3), High Importance-High Urgency (4).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Drop it in a Matrix<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Okay, we\u2019re not talking THE Matrix, but it is an incredibly helpful visual.\u00a0 You have your priorities, the hard part is acting accordingly. Box (3) is tricky because the Low Urgency-High Importance list is filled with things that are important to you but, because they aren\u2019t urgent, you may be neglecting them. These things require you to give more time<\/em> to them so you can plan and implement them well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your Low Importance-High Urgency list in the (2) box illustrates the tyranny of the urgent. The truth is, the lower importance illustrates that these aren\u2019t as urgent and their demand is likely false. Everything in this box can be minimized<\/em> or possibly even eliminated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That brings you to the last box (1). Things that are Low Urgency-Low Importance are probably time suckers that take time away from what is really important to you. Consider eliminating the things in this box. How would you feel without this thing? How can you direct that time toward accomplishing what is more important to you? If you aren\u2019t comfortable eliminating it, it is likely more important than you gave it credit for and should be moved to a different box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot has been written on time management, and with good reason. It\u2019s a hugely important skill set. How far would you get in running a church or ministry or a business without it? And in all of those books there are plenty of great ideas and suggestions. But which ones will be the most helpful for YOU? Which best apply to your situation? You can see how someone may be strong in, say, Pressure Management, but not as strong in Preparation. Very few people are strong in all seven areas. The results of this Time Management Assessment tell you where to focus your efforts for maximum leverage and growth. Why guess when you can know? Why throw a dart in a general direction when you can aim it at a specific goal range? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start by creating a document with a 2\u00d72 table. Place everything labeled with a (4) in the upper right box, (3) in the upper left box, (2) in the lower right box, and (1) in the lower left box.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.australiancoachingcollective.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/T-management-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n4. Manage it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It may be that everything in the High Importance-High Urgency box (4) feels overwhelming – it may even be that these things became urgent because you put them on the backburner for too long and it\u2019s nearing crisis mode. These are your top priorities and they need to be managed carefully<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere\u2019s More to Time Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s a way to find out. We have a Time Management Effectiveness Profile<\/a> that measures your effectiveness in seven different spheres:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n