TLDR: This new method for getting through tasks may just work better than that matrix
Word count: 550
Read time: 3 mins
Last week’s post with my proposed improvement on the Eisenhower Matrix is already the second most popular of the eighty-odd on this blog. The most popular is still Timebox the inbox, though likely it will soon be eclipsed. Last week’s was also a longer-form post which has prompted a question which I ask in a poll, at the end of this post.
Here are some comments about this new method for prioritising tasks:
“I do immediately think of the tasks I’ll need to do in the next few months, but not this month.”
—Alex K
→ A lot of us are fine with the very urgent and the long-term, but let the medium-term items slip.
On the other hand though…
“I like this approach a lot and agree it’s much better than the Eisenhower matrix, but there’s a big hole in my opinion. In my version of my to-do list, I have many items between this month and never.
Buy a car
Paint the deck
Replace the upstairs carpet
Clean out the garage
Update my website copy
And on and on.
None of these are urgent yet, but they’re important to me and will get done eventually.
The 5th category could be “this year” or “between now and never” 😂”
—Dina P
→ Some of us forget the longer-term too! So perhaps it’s useful for some to add a ‘This Year’ category, in order that we buy cars, paint decks, replace carpets, etc.
“This is exactly what I needed to read today. I’ve felt totally overwhelmed this week with my to-do list at work, and using Eisenhower’s matrix just didn’t feel like it was working. Using ‘today-this week-this month-never’ already feels like it will be more practical and intuitive to follow and will dovetail with the time-boxing approach. I’m almost looking forward to sitting down at my desk tomorrow morning!”
—Katy M
→ Katy understands the problem that this method is designed to solve. It’s more intuitive because it’s all one axis and it’s calibrated in time frames we’re all familiar with (day, week, month, year).
A similar sentiment:
“I LOVE this approach, so much simpler to implement and that's what we need. I am going to start using it this week.”
—Courtney B
“I agree. Your method is better than the Eisenhower Matrix. This will make it easier for me to time box. And, MS Teams Planner tool works well with your method.”
—Jon P
→ Jon points out that the method looks a bit like a Kanban Board. But a lot of people don’t do project management for a living and won’t recognise Kanban. But the neat thing is that you need no experience of Kanban - your calendar becomes that board as you fill in timeboxes for Today, This week, This month, etc.
The new, proposed method is for when you’re in a state of overwhelm. You’re aware you have a lot on and don’t know where to start. So, when you’re next in that state, try this:
Set a timebox to plan. That will be a relief in itself.
When the time of the timebox strikes, take your to-do list and categorise each item with one of:
Today
This week
This month
Never
(Add ‘This year’ if that feels like it might be important for you).
And then just carry out the tasks as they occur in your calendar, that day, that week, that month…or that year.
Finally, back to the question that last week’s post prompted:
Marc
Links you may like
7 days of Timeboxing (the free email micro-course)
Timeboxing, the book (US)
Timeboxing, the book (UK)
Timeboxing, el libro (Español)
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Hi there, this is very helpful, thank you.
I read your book as well and remember that you don't categorize your to do list based on life domains such as personal, work etc. Do you still follow that or changed your practice? thank you