The Eisenhower Box (Eisenhower Matrix)
This page briefly explains the Eisenhower Matrix and how Be Like Ike uses it to organize your tasks and events.
What is the Eisenhower Matrix?
The Eisenhower Matrix (also called the Eisenhower Box or Urgent–Important matrix) is a simple way to prioritize work. It’s named after Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was known for focusing on what was important, not just what was urgent.
You sort tasks along two axes:
- Urgent – needs attention soon or immediately.
- Important – matters for your goals, values, or long-term results.
That gives four boxes:
Urgent + Important
Do these first. Crises, deadlines, real priorities.
Not Urgent + Important
Schedule time. Planning, growth, relationships.
Urgent + Not Important
Delegate when possible. Interruptions, some meetings.
Not Urgent + Not Important
Eliminate or minimize. Busywork, distractions.
How Be Like Ike Uses the Matrix
Be Like Ike maps the matrix onto your device using Calendar and Reminders:
- Inbox – A single place to capture tasks before you decide which quadrant they belong in. Nothing is “urgent” or “important” until you move it.
- Urgent – Urgent and important. Stored in a dedicated Urgent calendar so you see them in your schedule and can do them first.
- Important – Important but not urgent. Stored in an Important calendar so you can schedule time and avoid neglecting them.
- Delegate – Things that should be done by someone else. Kept in a reminder list so you can track or hand them off without cluttering your “do first” or “schedule” lists.
- Eliminate – Tasks that don’t deserve your time. A holding list you can review and delete so they don’t resurface as clutter.
In the app
- Use the matrix (grid) view to see all sections; use the toolbar to jump to Inbox, Urgent, Important, Delegate, or Eliminate.
- Drag items between sections to re-prioritize. Schedule Inbox items into Urgent or Important (they become calendar events).
- Open the Calendar view to see Urgent and Important events together and tap to view or edit details.
- Inbox, Delegate, and Eliminate use Reminders; Urgent and Important use Calendar. The app creates the calendars and lists it needs when you first run it.
Why It Helps
Without a system, everything can feel urgent. The matrix forces you to ask: “Is this urgent? Is it important?” Then you act accordingly—do first, schedule, delegate, or drop. Be Like Ike gives you one place to do that and keeps your priorities visible in Calendar and Reminders.