The Eisenhower-er

A dynamic 3DProductivity tool to assess and refine priorities

In 1954, President Eisenhower recited a critical principle:

"I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent."

Years later, Stephen Covey built on this concept in his seminal The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, creating "The Eisenhower Matrix."

The matrix creates a simple way to categorize tasks based on importance and urgency, sparking reflection on how we typically spend too much time on the items that are important and already urgent (Box 1) and not enough time on the items that are important but not yet urgent (Box 2).

The Eisenhower-er is a first-of-its-kind tool that allows the user to enter tasks, select urgency and importance levels, and then see a dynamic representation of how those tasks impact each other in the Eisenhower Matrix. This tool also includes three different sample distributions of tasks, demonstrating what a balanced, proactive, and reactive approach looks like.

To use the tool, enter your tasks below, rate each by urgency and importance using the star ratings (more stars = more urgent or important), then click "Generate Matrix" to see how your priorities are distributed across the four quadrants.

Task Urgency Importance

Sample Scenarios

Click a scenario to see how different prioritization styles look

An even distribution of tasks across all four quadrants, representing a typical workload with varied priorities.

Focus on important but not urgent tasks (Box 2), building long-term success before things become emergencies.

Heavy emphasis on urgent tasks regardless of importance, often leading to burnout and neglected growth opportunities.

Grid View

More Urgent
Less Urgent
More Important
Less Important
Box 1
More Urgent & More Important

Things with clear deadlines and consequences for not taking immediate action.

    Box 2
    Less Urgent & More Important

    Things without deadlines that contribute to your goals, but are easy to procrastinate on.

      Box 3
      More Urgent & Less Important

      Things that need to be done, but don't necessarily require your specific skills.

        Box 4
        Less Urgent & Less Important

        Things okay to do in moderation; includes distractions.

          Bubble View

          More Urgent
          Less Urgent
          More Important
          Less Important
          Box 1
          More Urgent & More Important

          Things with clear deadlines and consequences for not taking immediate action.

          Box 2
          Less Urgent & More Important

          Things without deadlines that contribute to your goals, but are easy to procrastinate on.

          Box 3
          More Urgent & Less Important

          Things that need to be done, but don't necessarily require your specific skills.

          Box 4
          Less Urgent & Less Important

          Things okay to do in moderation; includes distractions.