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102 End Procrastination Now!

do-it-now alternative, following through with a rational decision
process, strategic planning, and problem solving.

Singling Out What Is Important to Do

Making a decision based on two or three of the most important
factors in a situation is rarely a waste of time. Then when you
single out one choice from among others, you’ve made it the most
important. Deciding can be as direct as that.
In a work world with multiple responsibilities and conflicting
priorities, how do you know if you are on track with your main
priority? You can use the following priority matrix to rank informa-
tion from what is most pressing and important to your “not im-
portant” and “nonpressing” activities. This priority defining matrix
approach is a classic type of time management technique that can
aid in making decisions about what to emphasize; the most im-
portant and pressing activity obviously takes center stage.

ACTION Important Useful Not Important

Pressing

Nonpressing

If an activity is important but not pressing, and nothing else
is higher on your list, this is an activity that you can start without
feeling rushed. For example, you know that you have a distant
deadline for consolidating and simplifying 12 different but related
production forms into one page of information. Rather than
straightening out your files (not important and nonpressing), you
attack the consolidation project. You’ve created an opportunity to
get this activity done before it rises to a pressing status. The matrix
also helps you distinguish between a priority and a diversion. If
you do nonpressing and nonimportant activities over the impor-