Do First
- Pay rent due today
- Call plumber for leak
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Eisenhower Matrix Examples (Real Task Lists)
Five mixed-life sample matrices to help you map tasks without overthinking.
How to use these examples
These are sample task lists to help you get started. Copy what fits your life, then adjust wording and priorities to match your real responsibilities.
If you are unsure where to begin, sort only your top 5 to 10 tasks first. For clearer definitions, use the quadrants guide and read urgent vs important explained.
Jump to: Home/Admin · Student · Health · Work · Family · FAQ
Example 1: Home and Admin Week
Schedule
- Plan grocery budget
- Book car maintenance
Delegate
- Ask partner to pick up cleaning supplies
- Hand off parcel return
Eliminate
- Price-compare gadgets for fun
- Re-sort old receipts
How to act on this
- Close the urgent bills/issues first to reduce stress.
- Put the maintenance and budget items on your calendar now.
- Drop low-value admin busywork this week.
Not sure why a task fits here? See the quadrants guide.
Example 2: Student Flow
Do First
- Submit lab report by 6pm
- Email professor about missed quiz
Schedule
- Study chapters 4-5
- Outline final essay
Delegate
- Groupmate formats slides
- Roommate prints handouts
Eliminate
- Read random forum threads
- Tweak notes colors for an hour
How to act on this
- Finish the due-today work before starting fresh studying.
- Protect two study blocks for non-urgent but important prep.
- Keep group tasks clear so delegation actually sticks.
Not sure why a task fits here? See the quadrants guide.
Example 3: Health Reset
Do First
- Refill medication today
- Call clinic about symptoms
Schedule
- Plan 3 workouts
- Prep healthy lunches
Delegate
- Ask friend to drive to appointment
- Use grocery delivery for staples
Eliminate
- Late-night doomscrolling
- Browsing supplement hype videos
How to act on this
- Handle immediate health needs first, no delays.
- Convert wellbeing goals into scheduled routines.
- Remove habits that cut sleep and recovery.
Not sure why a task fits here? See the quadrants guide.
Example 4: Work-lite Solo Day
Do First
- Fix broken checkout button
- Send revised estimate by noon
Schedule
- Draft next sprint plan
- Document onboarding steps
Delegate
- Contractor updates image assets
- VA organizes meeting notes
Eliminate
- Redesign logo for fifth time
- Chase non-priority feature ideas
How to act on this
- Protect revenue/risk tasks first.
- Schedule planning and docs before they become emergencies.
- Say no to tasks that look productive but are not priority.
Not sure why a task fits here? See the quadrants guide.
Starter list you can copy
Paste these into the tool, then adjust.
Life and home
- Pay upcoming utility bill
- Book annual health checkup
- Plan meals for next week
- Cancel an unused subscription
Work and study
- Finish deadline report
- Schedule focused project block
- Delegate routine inbox cleanup
- Remove a low-value meeting
Personal upkeep
- Prepare for tomorrow's priority task
- Set out workout plan for 3 days
Example 5: Family Logistics Week
Do First
- Sign school form due today
- Handle insurance deadline
Schedule
- Plan weekend meals
- Set monthly family budget check-in
Delegate
- Assign laundry pickup
- Ask teen to prep lunch boxes
Eliminate
- Debating tiny calendar color tweaks
- Overcommitting to extra events
How to act on this
- Use one short daily review to keep urgent family admin under control.
- Pre-schedule recurring important tasks before the week gets crowded.
- Cut optional extras if they add stress without value.
Not sure why a task fits here? See the quadrants guide.
Examples FAQ
- What are good Eisenhower Matrix examples for work?
- Good work examples include urgent client deadlines and critical bug fixes in Do First, planning and documentation in Schedule, repeatable admin tasks in Delegate, and low-impact busywork in Eliminate.
- What if my tasks don't fit neatly in one quadrant?
- Choose the quadrant based on the task's next action today. If needed, split one task into smaller steps and place each step where it best fits.
- How many tasks should I include in an example matrix?
- Start with 5 to 10 tasks so decisions stay clear. You can add more after the first pass once priorities are visible.
- Can I use the matrix for school or family tasks?
- Yes. The matrix works for any area of life, including classes, household responsibilities, caregiving, and personal goals.
- Where does email usually belong?
- Most email belongs in Delegate or Eliminate, while only truly time-sensitive and meaningful messages belong in Do First.
- What if everything feels urgent?
- Pause and identify consequences. Do the few tasks with real deadlines or high impact first, then move the rest to Schedule or Delegate.
- How often should I update my matrix?
- A quick daily check and a deeper weekly review works well for most people. Update any time priorities shift.
- What's a good first step if I'm overwhelmed?
- Write down your top 5 to 10 tasks, place them quickly without overthinking, then complete one Do First task before reorganizing anything else.
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