This week, I want to talk about how to focus on the right things at work, using Stephen Covey’s Four Quadrants.  At its essence, the Four Quadrants is about time management. If you’re anything like me, you’ve had it up to your eyeballs with articles, speakers, and social media posts about how to manage your time better.  So, let’s not go there.  Instead, let’s think about the Four Quadrants as a tool to manage our ACTIVITIES better – so we are focusing on the right things to get the results we are held accountable for achieving.  My challenge for you in this area is this: After listening to this episode, decide to make a small – but significant shift – in one of the quadrants. A shift that will yield substantial results in terms of your productivity.  The Four Quadrants For the uninitiated – or as a refresher - here are the four quadrants: Quadrant I – Urgent & Important  Quadrant II – Not Urgent but Important Quadrant III – Urgent but Not Important Quadrant IV – Not Urgent & Not Important  Let’s get specific.  Quadrant I is the Quadrant of Necessity – things you need to do immediately. While these things are Urgent & Important, living in this quadrant tends to lead to burnout and takes time away from doing things that are Important but not Urgent.  Examples:Resolving crises/Putting out firesPressing problemsProjects with deadlines  Quadrant II is the Quadrant of Quality – this is where you do important things that lead to real success and long-term viability for your company and yourself. The best way to ensure you are spending an appropriate amount of time in Quadrant II is to calendar these activities in and keep track of what you are doing.  Examples:Relationship-building/NetworkingPlanning/PreparationPreventionEmpowerment  Quadrant III is the Quadrant of Deception – the key here is to recognize that these tasks don’t need to be done right away and may even be delegated. These tasks may seem important in the moment because of their urgency, but they aren’t. The challenge is not allowing someone else’s urgency to become yours – especially if it is due to the other person’s procrastination.  Examples:InterruptionsSome phone callsSome mailSome reportsSome meetings  Quadrant IV is the Quadrant of Waste – activities that aren’t urgent or important. You want to minimize the time you spend in Quadrant IV at all costs. Examples:Busy workSome phone callsSome mailTime wasters  So, how do you figure out where the shift needs to take place? Step one is to take an honest look at how you are currently spending your time at work. Some of you may do very similar things each day, so evaluating how you spend your time could be as simple as tracking your activities for one day. Others of you may have a wide variety of tasks based on the day of the week, time of the month, quarter of the year, or other variables – so you’ll need to evaluate how you spend your time over a longer period of time.  I thought I would use myself as an example – and yes, I’ll let you know the shift I will be making as a result of this exercise.   Quadrant 1 – Urgent & ImportantWriting my client’s resumes, cover letters, and LI profiles – 10 hours/weekCoaching calls with clients/Consults with prospective clients – 12 hours/weekWriting and producing this podcast each week – 2 hours/weekResponding to emails from clients, prospective clients, etc – 2 hours/weekIn-processing new clients – 1 hour/weekSunday preparation for the coming week – 1 hour/weekMeeting with my VA and my coach – 1 hour/weekTOTAL: 19 hours/week  Quadrant II – Not Urgent but ImportantAttending SHRM meetings - 2 hours/monthAttending Ellevate meetings – 2 hours/weekOther professional development – 2 hours/monthNetworking via LI, Fairygodboss – 2 hours/monthBudget management – 1 hour/weekPlanning for business growth & expansion including new programs – 4 hours/weekTOTAL: about 7 hours/week  Quadrant III – Urgent but Not ImportantI can’t think of anything I do that falls in this category  Quadrant IV – No