TABLE OF CONTENTS If we combine the two scales of urgency and importance, we get a grid, like this:
This is the time management grid.
It is now possible to be more precise about what we mean by a 'priority'. We can show on this grid the two tasks Hensa was considering the timesheet summary and the training programme.
In the next figure, the timesheet summary is marked as 'I' and the training programme is marked as '2'.
3 mins
How does the time management grid help? What do we gain from thinking about these two tasks in this way? Jot down two suggestions in the space below.
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We are reminded that:
the timesheet summary is more urgent than the training programme, so it must be completed sooner;
the training programme is more important than the timesheet summary, so it probably deserves more attention and thought;
If only one of these items can be tackled, it should be the more important job, unless the urgent job is very close to its deadline.
The time management grid is a very useful way of looking at demands upon your time. Using a grid like this makes you consider the relative importance and urgency of tasks.
It can take a little practice to learn to separate urgency and importance.
3 mins
1.
A job has been lying on your desk for a week. When it first...
