Questions

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Imagine that today is Tuesday. You are Ms Paige Turner, a client service supervisor. You are also a parent and a spouse. You have listed every outstanding task you can think of. Now categorise them according to the matrix by assigning category 1 to 4 to each task below.
Please note: Remove all emotions when completing this exercise and categorise these tasks according to whether they meet the criteria of “Urgent” or “Important”. This will enable you to ensure you place the tasks in the correct quadrants.

1. My mother asked me to take her shopping on the weekend.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

2. I need to wash my car!

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

3. I need to reply to all those comments on my status update on facebook.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

4. I need to respond to that client’s complaint.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

5. I need to find time to attend a speed reading course.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

6. I need to train my PA to screen my calls.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

7. I need to read today’s news.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

8. I need to join gym and start exercising.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

9. I need to get fire extinguishers for the office.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

10. I need to submit my tax return by Friday.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

11. I need to shampoo my carpets before I have visitors over!

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

12. I need to catch up on my filing.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

13. I need to return 5 client phone calls.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

14. I need to help my colleague Johnny by writing his proposal for him by Monday.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

15. I need to watch the latest episodes of (insert favourite tv show here).

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

16. I need to plan and book my next holiday.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

17. I need to read, reply and where applicable forward my private emails to my friends. (including newsletters etc.)

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

18. I need to spend some quality time with my son to catch up.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

19. I need to set goals for myself.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

20. I need to complete that huge presentation for my boss on our departmental budget by Monday.

Quadrant 1 Urgent and ImportantQuadrant 2 Important but not UrgentQuadrant 3 Urgent but not importantQuadrant 4 Neither Urgent nor important

You got out of 20 correct!

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Imagine that today is Tuesday.

You are Ms Paige Turner, a client service supervisor. You are also a parent and a spouse. You have listed every outstanding task you can think of.

Now categorise them according to the matrix by assigning category 1 to 4 to each task.

Please note: Remove all emotions when completing this exercise and categorise these tasks according to whether they meet the criteria of “Urgent” or “Important”. This will enable you to ensure you place the tasks in the correct quadrants.

The Eisenhower Matrix

Please refer to the quadrant numbers below to complete your activity.

1

Urgent and important

2

Important but not urgent

3

Urgent but not important

4

Neither important nor urgent

Welcome to the Time Clinic Assessment.

This multiple choice assessment will allow you to self-assess your ability to prioritise tasks subjectively – in other words without emotion. By successfully sorting your tasks into the correct quadrants, you will be empowered to apply the right strategies to manage each type of task.

Have fun completing this activity and remember to apply the definition of URGENT and IMPORTANT as if you were applying a logical or algebraic formula to each event. This will allow you to overcome the default emotional response that causes us to categorise tasks incorrectly and suffer a sense of overwhelm.

Remember URGENCY is an emotional feeling. IMPORTANCE will have a dramatic or profound impact upon your work or your life.

Good luck!