This 'Matrix' has you!

Hello Torchbearers of Tomorrow!

As CEOs, founders, and leaders, you face a mountain of tasks every day. Do you've likely felt overwhelmed by your to-do list?

Some tasks scream for attention, while others quietly wait, but how do you know which one deserves your focus?

Which one is more important than the other?

What tasks are you going to handle ‘Delightfully’?

What would you pick first: Less-time, more input one or more-time, less input one?

By letting us be taken by the Matrix.

The Eisenhower Matrix.

Named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who juggled complex military operations, this tool transforms your chaotic task list into a clear, strategic map.

Picture this: a 2x2 grid on your desk. This matrix has four quadrants.

The magic is in these quadrants. Let’s deep dive:

QUADRANT 1

In the "Urgent & Important" quadrant, place tasks that need your immediate attention—like that big client meeting or the product issue that just surfaced. These are your fires; extinguish them quickly.

QUADRANT 2

Next, look at "Not Urgent but Important." Here, put tasks that don't shout but are key to your long-term success. Your company's five-year plan or team culture initiatives are seeds you plant today that become mighty oaks later. Make time to nurture these regularly.

QUADRANT 3

Now, consider "Urgent but Not Important." Tasks here, like most emails or certain meetings, feel pressing but don't truly drive your company forward. They're distractions in disguise. Your smart move? Pass these to your team. You'll clear your plate while helping them grow. 

QUADRANT 4

Finally, "Neither Urgent nor Important" holds your time-wasters—those long office chats or unnecessary document tweaks. They're easy to get caught in, but they don't help you or your business. Spot these and stop.

This matrix offers you, the busy leader, a structured approach to task management. By distinguishing between what's truly important, deceptively urgent, or just unnecessary, you'll navigate your responsibilities with newfound clarity.

Transform your overwhelming workload into a manageable, prioritized plan. Your success and sanity will thank you.

How to Use the Matrix?

• Draw a 2x2 grid on paper or a tablet.

• Label each part: Urgent & Important, Not Urgent but Important, Urgent but Not Important, Neither Urgent nor Important.

• List all your tasks.

• Put each task in its right spot on the grid.

• Start with Urgent & Important tasks, then plan time for Not Urgent but Important ones.

• Give away Urgent but Not Important tasks, and drop those that are Neither.

• Check your grid daily. Tasks can move between areas as things change.

Let me share a secret (borrowing from Hermessi) with you on why this works for leaders (and visionaries in you…):

As a CEO or founder, your time is your most valuable asset. The Eisenhower Matrix isn't just about doing more; it's about making sure you do what matters most. When you focus on truly important tasks, you're not just checking boxes. You're steering your company's ship, setting its course for the future.

This tool also helps you be a better leader. By passing on tasks that are urgent but not important, you show trust in your team. This helps them grow. At the same time, you free up space to think big—to work on those not-urgent-but-important tasks that shape your company's destiny.

In the fast-paced world of business, it's easy to feel like everything is urgent. The Eisenhower Matrix gives you a simple way to cut through that noise. It lets you see clearly, decide wisely, and lead confidently.

The magic of the Eisenhower Matrix is that it makes you think about each task with utmost attention first, affirming your decision making; whether to go with it or not.

When your list overwhelms, breathe. Use your matrix to sort tasks. That "urgent" email? Maybe it's less critical than nurturing your team or refining your product. This tool isn't about skipping duties; it's about recognizing what truly drives your business's big picture.

Great companies aren't built by completing every task, but by focusing on the right ones. Using this matrix daily trains you to distinguish between the merely loud and the genuinely important.

That "urgent" email? Maybe it's less critical than nurturing your team or refining your product. This tool isn't about skipping duties; it's about recognising what truly drives your business's big picture.

Remember, you're not just a task-manager; A visionary always plans for things, even the thing he doesn’t plan for. The Eisenhower Matrix helps you cut through the daily clutter to focus on tasks that shape your company's future.

It's not about doing more; it's about ensuring you do what truly matters. This isn't just about productivity—it's about legacy. Don't just manage tasks; lead strategically.

Wield the Eisenhower Matrix for a week—you'll be shocked at what you misjudged.

Practice this "Surge", then implement and inspire your company and team.

Catch you all in the next one…

Hoyin Cheung,
Hermessi.com

P.S. Share this newsletter with your friends—it’s a quick task that only takes a moment but makes a big difference. 😉

P.P.S. I'm always here for a chat, a debate, or a brainstorming session on how to make this the most valuable piece of mail in your inbox. Hit reply or DM me on LinkedIn or X and let me know what you think, what you're struggling with, or what success looks like for you. Let's surge the productivity you seek!