Report and Analysis of Effective Self-Management

By, Jacob Krasnow

Table of Contents

Purpose

1. Record all of the activities done in a two day period.

2. Classify the activities according to which quadrant they belong in in the Time Management Matrix.

3. Analyzes how the activities were handled and compare the manner and order in which they were accomplished as compared to the ideal way they should have been accomplished according to Covey’s Principle-Based Time Management Matrix for effective use of time.

Time Management

The act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities.

To increase effectiveness, efficiency, or productivity.

Ability to plan and control how you spend the hours in your day to effectively accomplish your goals.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. – Aristotle

“Important” and “Urgent” Activities

Important activities have an outcome that leads to the achievement of your goals, whether these are professional or personal.

Urgent activities demand immediate attention, and are often associated with the achievement of someone else's goals.

What is the Time Management Matrix?

What is the Time Management Matrix? Cont.

Urgent Not Urgent

IActivites:CrisesPressing ProblemsDeadline Driven Project

IIActivities:Prevention, PC ActivitiesRelationship BuildingRecognizing New OpportunitiesPlanning Recreation Activities

IIIActivities:Interruptions, some callsSome email, some reportsSome MeetingsProximate, pressing mattersPopular Activities

IVActivities:Time wastersTrivia, busy workSome mail, some phone calls“Pleasant” activities

Time Management Matrix

Most of the activities done on Day one lie in Quadrant two. Planning, innovating and developmental opportunities: matters of extremely high importance, but not urgent.

Day two most of my activities lie in Quadrant One; crises and deadline-driven projects. Also activities in Quadrant Four increased from 0% to 15%; doing routine busy work in order to avoid more important matters

The average of Day one and Day Two show how effectively I used my time in both days. Almost half of my time was spent in Quadrant II which ideally, is where my time should be spent.

Ideally, my Day One and Day Two average should look like this. Completing any activities in Quadrant I first, spend most of my time in Quadrant II, minimize the time spent in Quadrant III, because those activites are "unimportant”, and Quadrant IV activities should be avoided.

Conclusion: Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses• Use a calendar so I know

when all assignments are due and when to start working on them.

• Easily distracted by peers and technology.

• Can isolate myself from distractions when studying/working on important projects.

• If I don't start an assignment the day its assigned lesser chance I will finish it.

Sources: "The Urgent/Important Matrix - Time Management Skills from MindTools.com." Mind Tools - Management Training, Leadership Training and Career Training. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_91.htm>.