QUADRANT 2: IMPORTANT, BUT NOT URGENT
The second type of tasks are those that are important but
not urgent. They can be delayed or procrastinated upon, at
least for the short term. An example of a task that is vital but
not urgent is an important report that you must have
written, approved, and submitted by the end of the month.
Or think about a college term paper. It is something that is
vital to your grade at the end of the semester, but it is also
something that can be put off for weeks and months, and
often is. (Most term papers are written the night before the
deadline. What was at one time vital but not urgent suddenly
becomes very urgent indeed.)
Throughout your life, you are surrounded by important
but not urgent tasks. Reading important books in your field,
taking additional courses, upgrading your skills and abilities
are all vital to your long-term success, but they are not
urgent. So, you procrastinate doing them. Most people who
fail or underachieve in business have unfortunately put off
upgrading their skills and abilities for so long that they are
simply passed over and surpassed by other, more deter-
mined and aggressive people who want to enjoy greater
rewards and responsibilities.
Even something as simple as physical exercise is vital to
your health, but not urgent. You can put it off for an extended
period of time, and most people do. Doctors say that 85 per-
cent of the major health problems that people have later in life
could have been avoided if they had engaged in proper health
habits, including diet and exercise, for most of their adult
lives. These tasks fall into the “quadrant of effectiveness.”
50 TIME MANAGEMENT