Make practical use of the Eisenhauer Matrix. Clients frequently ask how to prioritize work when swamped with emails, endless meetings, and hardly any time left for truly productive work. While many have heard of the Eisenhower Matrix—a classic tool for sorting tasks—few consistently use it, especially when overwhelmed by urgent demands. This article not only introduces the matrix but also shares actionable strategies for long-term improvement.
The Power of Oscillating Movement
As a professional coach, I’m often asked: “How can I perform better in meetings and gain an extra edge?” The key lies in broadening your perspective and understanding the real needs in the room – not just the items on the agenda, but those deeper motivations.
Over the years in my work as a business coach, I’ve had countless conversations with leaders in industrial companies – from plant managers to managing directors, from mid-sized firms to global players. One theme keeps coming back, often unspoken at first, but always present when we dig deeper: the desire to build a workplace where people care – and stay.
I believe meaningful work is a key to that.
Remember When You Learned to Walk?
You probably don’t remember it, but when you were a toddler learning to walk, you fell—often. You cried, got frustrated, and maybe even felt angry that it wasn’t working the way you wanted. Everyone else seemed to walk effortlessly, while you struggled just to stay upright.
And yet, here you are. You can walk, run, and perform all kinds of complex movements. What once seemed impossible is now second nature.
This transformation is something I sometimes reference when coaching clients facing difficult decisions.
In coaching sessions, we often encounter situations where the coachee describes feeling overrun by external dynamics. These situations happen, for instance, in meetings where they suddenly receive work that wouldn’t normally be their responsibility, but someone suggested they would be “the perfect person” for the task.
As a coach, I am often asked, “What could I do next?” or “What job would suit me best?” These questions typically arise from the overwhelming number of options available, leading us to believe that we must meticulously analyse and evaluate each one before making the “right” decision.
