How to do more in less time

In partnership with

New year, new format! Reply to this email and let me know what you think :)

1. A Game-Changing Idea

In a world where everything feels urgent, how do you decide what actually matters?

Dwight D. Eisenhower had the answer:

This principle became the foundation of the Eisenhower Matrix—a tool to help you stop reacting to chaos and start focusing on what truly deserves your time.

2. The Idea in Action

Picture this:

It’s the 1940s, and Dwight D. Eisenhower is running the Allied Forces in World War II. Every day, life-or-death decisions pile onto his desk. Years later, as President of the United States, his responsibilities only grow:

• Steering a nation through Cold War tensions.

• Launching the interstate highway system.

• Managing crises that could define history.

Eisenhower’s schedule was a storm of chaos, yet he wasn’t drowning in it. Somehow, he remained calm, focused, and endlessly productive.

How? He understood a fundamental truth: not everything demanding your attention deserves it.

Eisenhower approached his responsibilities with a framework that kept him grounded. Instead of reacting to the noise, he categorized his tasks by two criteria: urgency and importance.

The result? The Eisenhower Matrix—a deceptively simple 2x2 grid that helps you decide what to do, schedule, delegate, or delete. Here’s how it works:

1. Important & Urgent: These tasks need immediate action. Think “firefighting”—like resolving a crisis or meeting a critical deadline.

2. Important & Not Urgent: These are the long-term, high-impact tasks—like planning, learning, or building relationships. The magic happens here.

3. Not Important & Urgent: These are interruptions disguised as priorities. Delegate or automate them.

4. Not Important & Not Urgent: These are the time-wasters. Delete them without hesitation.

3. How You Can Apply It

Step 1: Brain-Dump Your Tasks
Write down everything on your plate. Don’t filter—just get it all out.

Step 2: Sort Tasks by Quadrant
Assign each task to one of the four categories:

• Quadrant 1: Do these first. These are urgent and important tasks that move the needle and can’t wait.

• Quadrant 2: Schedule these. Time-blocking for these long-term tasks (like strategy or self-improvement) is the key to real progress.

• Quadrant 3: Delegate these. Email chains, routine approvals—get them off your plate.

• Quadrant 4: Delete these. Think doomscrolling or unnecessary meetings. Life’s too short.

Step 3: Focus on Quadrant 2
The secret to success isn’t living in Quadrant 1—it’s building a life around Quadrant 2. These tasks don’t feel urgent now, but they’re the ones that truly shape your future.

By using this framework, you’ll move from being reactive to proactive. Instead of juggling tasks, you’ll prioritize with intention, freeing up time for the work (and life) that really matters.

Until next week,
Jay “Prioritize Like A President” Yang

Ps. AI is getting crazy good

Start learning AI in 2025

Everyone talks about AI, but no one has the time to learn it. So, we found the easiest way to learn AI in as little time as possible: The Rundown AI.

It's a free AI newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest AI news, and teaches you how to apply it in just 5 minutes a day.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.

Sign up to start learning.

Forwarded this email? Sign up here
Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn