Issue link: https://info.corpedgroup.com/i/414837
Understanding What Is Happening Even with a solid understanding of the time matrix, it is not always easy to spend the majority of your time in Q2. For example, let's take a look at what happens when a Q3 situation (low sense of importance and a high sense of urgency) arises. It is the end of the workday; you think you will be heading home at a reasonable time. As you are packing up, your manager comes by and says, "I have to have this report on my desk first thing tomorrow morning." You drop everything, stay late and get the report done. The next day you catch your manager around noon and ask, "Did you get the report? Have you looked at it yet?" and he or she says, "I have not had a chance yet." So the question becomes: why do people create a sense of urgency over something that really is not that important? There are a variety of reasons, including: n it makes them feel important; n it becomes a habit and is often part of the organizational culture; n because they can get away with it; n because they are disorganized; and n because they don't trust the person they are asking to do the work. The last reason tends to be the most common. But why would someone not trust that a coworker would get their work done? Often times if we tell someone we need a report by Wednesday, it might not show up until Thursday. Therefore, we tell people we need it right now so the request will not slip through the cracks. Unfortunately, we do this too often. There are also many other ways we fall into less productive quadrants. For example, imagine you just got out of a meeting; you have five action items that need to be done ASAP. Before doing so, you notice 10 emails that need to be addressed right away. Then the phone starts ringing, people come by your desk, there is another meeting to go to and then it is suddenly the end of the workday. How do you feel when this happens? Overwhelmed, exhausted, stressed? In reaction, we typically shut down, procrastinate and delve into Q4 busy work and low-priority items. 6