2. Table on Contents
1. Introduction………………………………………………………………. 1
i. Purpose ……………………………………………………………… 1
2. Time Spent Graphs………………………………………………………. 2
i. Day 1- October 7, 2013……………………………………………… 2
ii. Day 2- October 8, 2013……………………………………………… 3
iii.Overall……………………………………………………………….. 4
3. Strengths vs. Weaknesses………………………………………………… 5
i. Strengths…………………………………………………………….. 5
ii. Weaknesses………………………………………………………….. 6
4. Conclusion……………………………………………………………….. 7
3. 1. Introduction
i. Purpose
An exercise to analyze time management skills by keeping track of hourly
activities over a two day period, and categorizing them by importance and urgency
using the chart provided below. Once they have been put into their particular quadrant,
they are analyzed to learn how efficiently, or inefficiently, time is being spent, and
personal strengths and weaknesses.
Urgent
Important
Not
Important
Not Urgent
I. Important/Urgent
Crises; Pressing problems;
Deadline-driven projects.
II. Important/Not Urgent
Principle Centered Activities; Planning; Prevention;
Relationship building; Opportunity Recognition;
True Recreational Activities.
III. Not Important/Urgent
Imminent pressing matters; "Popular" Activities (i.e.,
activities that you think will make you popular with
others); Personal Interruptions; Some calls and
mail; Certain meetings and reports.
IV. Not Important/Not Urgent
Time wasters; So called "Pleasant" activities that are not really
pleasant (e.g., drinking to excess) that are actually escapes
from responsibilities. Trivia, busy work. Some types of
mail/phone calls.
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4. 2. Time
i. Day
Spent Graphs
1 – October 7, 2013
• Most time was spent doing
Day 1
things which were
10%
important, but not urgent
• Equal amounts of time were
10%
20%
spent between
important, urgent activities
60%
and not important, not urgent
activities
• The remaining time was
Important/Urgent
Important/Not Urgent
Not important/Urgent
Not important/Not Urgent
spent doing things which
were not important, but
urgent
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5. 2. Time
Spent Graphs
ii. Day
2 – October 8, 2013
• Half of my time was spent
Day 2
doing activities that were
important, but not urgent
21%
22%
• Similar amounts of time were
spent doing important, urgent
7%
activities and not
50%
important, not urgent
activities
• A small amount of time was
Important/Urgent
Important/Not Urgent
Not important/Urgent
Not important/Not Urgent
spent doing not
important, but urgent
activities
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6. 2. Time
Spent Graphs
iii. Overall
• Overall, over half my time
Overall
was spent doing
important, not urgent
17%
17%
activities
• Equal amounts of time was
12%
spent between not
54%
important, not urgent and
important, urgent activities
• The least amount of time was
Important/Urgent
Important/Not Urgent
Not important/Urgent
Not important/Not Urgent
spent doing not
important, urgent activities
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7. 3. Strengths
vs. Weaknesses
i. Strengths
• Getting important tasks done at particular times of day. Since I am usually up
early in the morning when no one else is, that is when I get important and/or
urgent tasks done when I have the least amount of distractions.
• Finishing one task at a time. Once I start something, I plan on finishing it and
do not want to move on to the next thing until it is done.
• Being organized helps me know exactly where everything I need is, and it
keeps me from losing track of things.
• Making a list of things I need to get done everyday. It not only keeps me from
forgetting to do things, but it also helps me to manage my time more wisely.
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8. 3. Strengths
vs. Weaknesses
ii. Weaknesses
• Procrastinating has always been a struggle for me. Instead of doing a little bit at a
time, I tend to put things off and end up having to do everything all at once at the
last minute.
• As the graphs indicate, I spend a good amount of time doing things that are
unimportant, which keeps me from getting the truly important and urgent tasks
done.
• Setting long term goals. While I have no problem setting daily goals, I have a very
hard time with planning for things that do not require immediate attention.
• Managing my time wisely. I underestimate how long things will take me and end
up having to do things quickly, which prevents me from being able to finish things
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at the quality I expect from myself.
9. 4. Conclusion
Most of my day is spent doing simple daily tasks such as eating, doing
laundry, and going to the gym, which are all things that are important but not urgent.
The rest of my time is spent on important and urgent things, such as school, and
unimportant things that I am trying to do less of, such as watching TV and going out
when I know I have other things to do.
While I always thought I managed my time wisely, after looking at how much
time I spend doing unimportant things, I have learned that I have plenty to improve on.
Just by simply cutting back on some of the leisurely activities I do I feel that I can
become a much more efficient person, which will help me now as a student, and in the
future as an employee.
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