By Jim Mikula, President/CEO
Looking at the Chamber’s schedule from now through the end of May including meetings with members, city staff, elected officials, and attending board meetings will be a busy period of time that will challenge our focus and productivity. I imagine most if not all our Chamber members feel the same way.
As I was preparing our team for the hectic schedule ahead, I came upon an article that reminded me about the Eisenhower Matrix. The matrix is attributed to Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States and in World War II the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe. The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix, is a decision-making tool used for prioritizing tasks based on their urgency and importance. This matrix helps individuals manage their time more effectively by categorizing tasks into four quadrants:
The matrix has 4 quadrants:
1. Urgent & Important—Do First
Tasks that are both urgent and important should be done immediately. Examples include meeting deadlines or handling emergencies. I would also add that taking a break when you are tired and find it difficult to focus may also be in this category.
2. Not Urgent & Important—Schedule
Tasks that are important but not urgent should be scheduled for later. Examples include planning a project or setting long-term goals. The challenge here is in completing the tasks before the they become Urgent & Important.
3. Urgent & Not Important—Delegate
Tasks that are urgent but not important should be delegated to others if possible. Examples include attending non-essential meetings or responding to non-critical emails. I wonder how many non-essential meetings I attend, hmmm…
4. Not Urgent & Not Important—Don’t Do
Tasks that are neither urgent nor important should be eliminated or minimized. An example is going down “rabbit holes” in meetings and lengthening the meeting beyond the scheduled time.
This tool helps individuals avoid the "urgency trap" by focusing on what is truly important for long-term success rather than just what is urgent.
In addition to using the Eisenhower Matrix there are other practices to support being focused and productive:
Stay Healthy and Energized—regular exercise, nutrition and adequate sleep will help to maintain energy needed for focus and productivity.
Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care—take short breaks to recharge and prevent burnout.
Build a Supportive Network—collaborate with colleagues or fellow small business owners for support, learning and socialization (aka have some fun!).
March to May is the 2nd most important time period after Q4 to generate income for all our businesses. It’s time to get focused so that we can be at our best and productive.
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