The ability to take your days in stride. Dealing with what comes up and managing your time in a way that everything is taken care of sounds like a dream come true. It can be achieved with a skill that most of us haven’t taken the time to learn, Time Management. If only there was something we could use to acquire that skill so we could handle all we have to do in an organized, efficient way.

There is.

The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Time Management Matrix, was designed by Stephen Covey for his book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and is based on President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s credo that enabled him to organize his priorities and his workload: “What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important.”

The matrix is a simple 4-square box system (RCNY example shown below) where you can clarify, item by item, everything you do as to whether it’s urgent or important. Doing this exercise enables you to see just how the time in your day is spent. It organizes tasks and responsibilities into categories allowing you to determine which are essential and which need to be reevaluated or eliminated.

Weeding out what’s urgent vs. what’s important can seem like a daunting task. So look at it this way: urgent is emergencies that need to be taken care of immediately, important benefits you. So make yourself a matrix and write down anything and everything you can think of you do in the course of a day in the corresponding quadrant:

Quadrant 1 – Do: Urgent & Important is for things that need to be handled right away like when a pipe bursts or your boss has an emergency.

Quadrant 2 – Plan: Not Urgent & Important is for the things you do for you like having an exercise routine and putting together a retirement plan.

Quadrant 3 – Delegate: Urgent & Not Important is for things you need done and someone else can do like picking up dinner and sending reports.

Quadrant 4 – Eliminate: Not Urgent & Not Important is for the time wasters like constantly checking your social media and doom scrolling.

A review of your completed matrix should paint quite the picture. If your Quadrant 2 has few if any items that’s an indication to take time from what’s in Quadrant 4 and put it toward setting goals and planning for the future. Is Quadrant 3 overflowing? Take delegating to heart and start to reach out to others who can help lighten your load.

It’s amazing how when you write it all down you can actually see what your time is being devoted to. This initial matrix is your big picture. Try creating smaller snapshots by doing a matrix at night for the next day. Taking a frequent look at all you have to do and want to do will help you to make the best use of your time.

If you, someone you know or someone you work with needs help with time management but can’t find the time to get started, a member of our Accountability Coach Team can help. They work with you to formulate a plan and act as your goal guardian, providing motivation and support as the cheer you on. For information about how you can benefit by working with an Accountability Coach have a confidential conversation with Cindy by calling 631-921-4085 or reach her directly via email here.

Whatever stage of recovery you or a loved one are in, whatever level of support is needed, RCNY’s teams of Recovery and Mental Health Coaches are available to listen actively, without judgement, to help you to discover the positive coping skills that resonate with you and guide you through assessing your strengths and developing goals for next steps. The Recovery Coach NY honors all paths of recovery with years of experience and a vast array of resources that can support those in need find the way to the life of joy and purpose they deserve. We come with an empathetic ear and solution-oriented actions that can begin to bring the relief you and your loved one seek.

We provide Recovery Coaching, Mental Health Support & Coaching, Sobriety & Mental Health Companionship, Executive Function & Accountability Coaching, Academic Coaching & Scholastic Support, Safe Transport, Case Management, Psychedelic Integration Coaching, Intervention and Emergency Services. For more information, visit our website.

Follow RCNY on Instagram for positive affirmations, inspirational quotes, and calming videos. It’s our way of giving spirit-lifting moments that we hope will inspire you to be your best you. You can join the thousands of followers who receive our daily messages here.