When every task is in one long list, an approaching deadline can crowd out work that matters more over time.
An Eisenhower Matrix separates two questions: Is this important? and Does it need attention soon? GoodTask’s Matrix View lets you review your reminders in four customizable quadrants.
Decide what the four quadrants mean
A useful starting point is:
- Important and urgent: work that needs your attention now.
- Important, not urgent: work worth planning time for.
- Urgent, less important: work to keep small or delegate where appropriate.
- Neither: work to reconsider before spending time on it.
For example, a proposal due today and learning a new skill may both matter. Only one necessarily needs to happen today. Seeing them separately can help you protect time for both.
Choose the list before choosing the view
Open the Reminders list or Smart List you want to review, then choose Matrix View from the View Bar.
Start with a list that includes everything you need to consider. A Today-only list is not a good starting point if you also want to see future or undated work.
Matrix filters apply to tasks already included in the selected list. They do not automatically pull in tasks from every other list.
Check and customize your matrix
Open Settings → General → Matrix View to edit or add a Matrix Type. You can customize quadrant titles, colors, and filters.
GoodTask offers date, priority, list, and tag filters. Decide which task properties will represent importance and urgency in your workflow, then check the results with a few familiar tasks.
If you use advanced date settings, the Ignore Start Date option lets supported date filtering use the due date only.
Make one decision from each review
Try a five-minute review:
- Choose one important task that needs attention now.
- Protect time for one important task that is not yet urgent.
- Look for a small task you can simplify or delegate.
- Reconsider one task that no longer deserves a place in your plan.
The matrix is a way to make decisions. An empty quadrant does not need to be filled.
Be careful when moving tasks
Dragging between quadrants can change task values to match the destination filters. Try it with a test task before reorganizing a large list.
A quadrant using a Smart List filter is an exception: dragging into it does not update task values.
If a task disappears, check the selected list and its filters before assuming it was deleted.
Keep building your workflow
Use Smart Lists to choose which work enters your review, then Today Page to select what you will work on today.