As someone who supports multiple teams while balancing family, friends, and all the responsibilities that come with adult life, I’ve discovered that almost any idea or point can be evaluated along two critical axes. While this builds on Eisenhower’s classic importance-urgency matrix, I’ve developed my own spin that’s transformed how I handle countless priorities and the reality of being a chronic overthinker.
Importance vs. Urgency
Here’s how it works:
- Importance: Rate from 1-9
- Urgency: Rate from 1-9
When any idea crosses my mind, I quickly ask myself these two questions and assign scores.
The 99 Rule: Take 30 Minutes Now
If both numbers hit 9 (creating a score of 81), I follow one simple rule: Take 30 minutes now.
This approach is based on a fascinating concept: motivation is fragile and fleeting. Your motivation naturally ebbs and flows over time. If you don’t act when motivation strikes, you might never get around to it. That’s why I’ve found it incredibly useful to just do high-priority, high-urgency ideas immediately.
Handling the Extremes
Low-Low Items: Let Them Go
Sometimes you’ll encounter ideas that score low on both importance and urgency. In these cases, I simply ignore them. If an idea becomes truly important later, trust that the universe will bring it back to your attention.
High Importance, Low Urgency: Capture and Plan
For tasks that are crucial but not time-sensitive:
- Write down the task
- Note the next action required
- Add it to your planner for future execution
High Urgency, Low Importance: Strategic Thinking Required
When something demands immediate attention but isn’t particularly important, ask yourself:
- Can I delegate this?
- Will this take too much time?
- Is there an easier approach?
- Can I bundle this with something else?
Other benefits
By consistently applying this framework, you’ll start recognizing common themes in your life and identifying what truly matters over time. This pattern recognition becomes invaluable for long-term decision-making and personal growth.
The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity – it takes just seconds to evaluate any situation, yet provides a clear path forward for even the most overwhelming pile of competing priorities.