Great time management means being effective as well as efficient. In the modern, fast-paced workplace it can be hard to distinguish between what’s important and urgent. We often fall into the trap of believing all urgent tasks are also important, even if that’s seldom the case. The Eisenhower Matrix gives you a visual overview of how to prioritize your tasks based on urgency and importance.

1. Urgent and Important: DO

If a task is both urgent and important, do it right away.

2. Not Urgent, but Important: DECIDE

If a task is important, but not urgent, set a due date and do it later.

3. Urgent, but not Important: DELEGATE

If a task is urgent, but not important, the best thing is to delegate it to someone else.

4. Not Urgent and Not Important: DELETE

If a task is neither important nor urgent, it should not be prioritized. Drop it or do it when you have some extra time.