fbpx

Back to articles

Last updated May 15, 2020

A Simple Tool for Prioritizing Tasks

How to use the Eisenhower Matrix (Exult’s Version)
(click link)

Urgent Not Urgent
Important Crisis Zone
Important and urgent. Respond as required (but exercise caution to what sits in this space).

Impact Zone
Important but not urgent. Do these tasks first each day. 
Not Important Every Day Zone
Less important but still urgent. Do after 30-60 minutes in your impact zone. 


Slump Zone
Less important and less urgent. Do these tasks during your slump – if at all.  

Create a Daily Plan

Create a daily plan using the tasks you outlined above, ordering them as required. You can do this in a physical diary or transfer it onto an online platform. Whatever works for you!

Online platforms you could use:

Trello
www.trello.com
Trello’s boards, lists, and cards enable you to organize and prioritize your projects in a fun, flexible, and rewarding way.

Asana
www.asana.com
Go beyond to-do lists and get the features you need to plan and manage projects—from start to finish.

Set a Time for Each Task

Setting time aside for each task will help you stay on track. Make sure to stay realistic. If you find it hard to keep an eye on the time, use a timer on your phone or even online.

There is also a range of time management online tools that you can use, including:

Clockify
www.clockify.me
Clockify is the only truly free time tracking software. It’s a simple time tracker and timesheet app that lets you and your team track work hours across projects. Unlimited users, free forever.

My Hours
www.myhours.com
My Hours is a free time tracking software, that lets you organize your projects, track work hours, and share reports with clients or management – all in one place.

Monday
www.monday.com
Manage time and boost productivity, even remotely​. monday.com helps teams manage their work, so they can boost productivity, wherever they are.

Learn to Say No

Saying No to ongoing requests or demands on your time can be difficult, but it is important that you set boundaries so that you have time to look after yourself. Here are a few ways you can say no:

  • Thank you for the opportunity to contribute, but I just don’t have the capacity right now.
  • My time has already been committed today. I can start on this tomorrow.
  • I won’t be able to start this until Thursday. Will that be okay or will you need to find someone else to do it?

Get Organised and Stay Organised

If your head is jumbled, it’s hard to stay focussed (well, it is for me anyway). Layout everything you need, physically and mentally. Gather your resources before you start so you don’t have to stop halfway through something!

If you think this article would be useful for your members, you are welcome to use it on your website or in your newsletter. We just ask that you let us know where it is being used and that you acknowledge our website at the bottom of the article. If you are using the article online, please include a link to our homepage.