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Eisenhower Matrix Quadrants (The 4 Boxes Explained)
A simple way to decide what to do now, what to plan, what to hand off, and what to drop.
Use this guide to classify tasks, then go back to the tool to place them.
On this page
Jump to a quadrant:
The 4 Eisenhower Matrix quadrants (at a glance)
| Quadrant | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Do First (Urgent + Important) | Needs attention soon and has real impact. | Do it first in focused work blocks. |
| Schedule (Not Urgent + Important) | Matters for long-term goals, but not immediate. | Plan it on your calendar. |
| Delegate (Urgent + Not Important) | Time-sensitive, but does not require you. | Hand it off with clear expectations. |
| Eliminate (Not Urgent + Not Important) | Low-value task or distraction. | Remove it or defer it indefinitely. |
Do First
Urgent + Important
These tasks are time-sensitive and high impact. Delaying them can create real problems.
Keep this list short. If everything lands here, it stops being useful and starts feeling like a stress list.
How to spot it
- It has a near deadline and the outcome truly matters.
- Waiting would cause a clear problem.
- You cannot reasonably delegate it right now.
Examples
- Paying a bill due today
- Submitting an assignment tonight
- Calling the vet about a pet issue
- Fixing a broken work deliverable before a meeting
If this line feels blurry, learn the difference between urgent vs important before sorting.
What to do: Do these next, one at a time, in focused blocks.
Schedule
Not Urgent + Important
These tasks support long-term goals and quality of life, but they are easy to postpone.
This is where steady progress happens: planning, health, learning, and relationship upkeep.
How to spot it
- It matters, even if there is no immediate deadline.
- Doing it consistently would improve your week or month.
- It can be planned on a calendar instead of done immediately.
Examples
- Meal planning for the week
- Studying for a test next week
- Booking an annual checkup
- Writing a project plan before execution
Need ideas? See examples of Schedule tasks and adapt them to your week.
What to do: Put these on your calendar with a real date and time.
Delegate
Urgent + Not Important
These tasks feel pressing, but they do not need your specific attention.
They still need to get done, just not necessarily by you.
How to spot it
- It is time-sensitive but low-value for your goals.
- Someone else could do it at similar quality.
- Keeping it would crowd out more important work.
Examples
- Asking a sibling to grab groceries
- Having a teammate format slides
- Forwarding admin paperwork to the right person
- Assigning routine follow-up calls
For more practical ideas, see more Eisenhower Matrix examples across work and home.
What to do: Hand these off clearly and set a check-in.
Eliminate
Not Urgent + Not Important
These tasks do not move your priorities forward and are rarely required.
Removing even a few creates more space, focus, and calm in your day.
How to spot it
- It has no meaningful impact if skipped.
- It is mostly avoidance or busywork.
- You added it out of guilt, not priority.
Examples
- Re-checking apps every few minutes
- Reorganizing files with no active use
- Arguing in comment threads
- Optional errands that can wait indefinitely
What to do: Drop, mute, or park these for later.
Common mistakes
- Everything feels urgent: stress can blur your judgment, so check actual deadlines.
- Important vs urgent gets mixed up: urgency is about time pressure, while importance is about impact. See urgent vs important explained.
- Overfilling Do First: keep only true priorities there.
- Ignoring Schedule: skipped planning creates future emergencies.
Quick checklist
- Does this have a real near deadline?
- Does it matter to my goals, health, finances, or relationships?
- Can someone else do it well enough?
- What happens if I do nothing this week?
- Where does it fit now: Do First, Schedule, Delegate, or Eliminate?
Quadrants FAQ
- What’s the difference between Do First and Schedule?
- Do First is urgent and important now. Schedule is important but not urgent yet, so you plan it.
- What if everything feels urgent?
- Check deadlines and likely consequences. If there is no near deadline or major impact, it is likely not Do First.
- Where do recurring tasks go?
- Usually in Schedule. If one becomes time-critical, move that instance to Do First.
- Where do “waiting on someone else” tasks go?
- Use Delegate for urgent follow-ups. Use Schedule for important follow-ups that can wait.
- What if a task seems urgent but isn’t important?
- That is typically Delegate. If you cannot delegate, cap the time you give it.
- How many tasks should be in Do First?
- Keep it short. A smaller list helps you finish priorities faster and with less stress.
- What belongs in Eliminate?
- Low-impact tasks, avoidant busywork, and distractions with no clear benefit.
- How often should I move tasks between quadrants?
- Whenever context changes. A quick daily review plus a weekly reset works for most people.
- Can a task be in more than one quadrant?
- Use one quadrant at a time. Reclassify it when urgency or impact changes.
Now place your tasks into the four boxes.
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