The Achiever Matrix, originally created by Steven Covey, consists of four quadrants that aid in prioritising tasks according to their significance.
By utilising this matrix, business leaders can effectively manage their time and attain greater levels of accomplishment during their day, week, month, year or career.
Each quadrant explained:
Quadrant 1
The first quadrant of the Achiever Matrix is known as the Quadrant of Urgency. This quadrant encompasses tasks that are not only important but also require immediate attention, such as handling a dissatisfied customer, meeting a deadline, addressing a crisis, or performing urgent re-work.
Although it is necessary to allocate some time to Q1 tasks, it’s worth noting that some of these activities became urgent due to lack of planning, procrastination, or poor risk management, despite their initial importance.
Quadrant 2
The second quadrant of the Achiever Matrix is referred to as the Quadrant of Quality, which encompasses tasks that are important but do not require immediate attention.
These tasks revolve around planning, anticipating and mitigating problems, empowering others, building relationships, and enhancing skills.
Neglecting the tasks in Q2 will result in their gradual migration to Q1, thereby increasing the size of urgent tasks. In contrast, investing time in Q2 tasks will decrease the size of Q1 tasks.
Thus, it’s crucial to prioritise tasks in Q2 and devote most of our time to accomplishing them.
Quadrant 3
The third quadrant of the Achiever Matrix is known as the Quadrant of Deception, which encompasses tasks that are urgent but not significant.
The urgency of these tasks creates a false sense of importance, but in reality, these activities are only crucial to someone else. Such tasks may include answering phone calls, attending meetings, responding to emails, and accommodating unexpected visitors.
Individuals often end up devoting significant time to Q3 tasks, prioritising the needs of others while deceiving themselves that they’re working in Q1. To free up time for working in Q2, tasks in Q3 should be delegated to others wherever feasible.
Quadrant 4
The fourth quadrant of the Achiever Matrix is referred to as the Quadrant of Waste. This quadrant includes tasks that are neither urgent nor important, such as junk emails, unnecessary phone calls, time-wasting activities, and mindless tasks.
It’s essential to avoid spending any time in Q4, even though we might be tempted to escape there when we feel overwhelmed by the demands of Q1 and Q3.
Q4 is not about survival but rather decline, and while it may provide a temporary respite, it ultimately leads to unfulfillment and a sense of emptiness.
Understanding each quadrant and where you spend the most time is critical to getting on top of time management.
If you can eliminate elements in each of the quadrants then you should feel like you are achieving more and actually see the results in your business as well.
If you would like further advice on the strategies and steps that your business can take to improve its performance, whether it is directly related to your finances or the processes you manage within your business, please speak to us.