In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.
Dwight D. Eisenhower - 1890–1969
Dwight D. Eisenhower was a five-star U.S. Army general, statesman, and the 34th President of the United States (1953–1961). He’s one of the few historical figures who shaped the world both on the battlefield and in the halls of power.
Eisenhower is remembered as a disciplined, calm, and highly strategic leader who bridged war, peace, toughness, and diplomacy. He didn’t seek drama — he sought results.
Where across the course of your day today, could you consider where it might be that in planning for the week ahead, you plan to avoid drama?
Known for his delegation and clarity under pressure, Eisenhower created the Eisenhower Matrix.
The Eisenhower Matrix is a simple yet powerful time management tool that helps you prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. By dividing your to-dos into four quadrants—Do First (urgent and important), Schedule (important but not urgent), Delegate (urgent but not important), and Delete (do neither)—it guides you to focus on what truly matters, reduce distractions, and take control of your time instead of reacting to everything that feels pressing.
Where across the course of your day today could you consider where it might be that after having written your plan for the week ahead, you identify urgent, verse important, and not urgent, but still important?
Things that are not urgent but important can often become crises or lost opportunities if they are not planned for accordingly.
I’ve reframed and customized the Eisenhower Matrix for my time management workshops, which aligns with the 8 Masts of Mastery. This matrix helps you distinguish between reactive busyness and purposeful action across the 8 Masts:
The Leeway Priority Matrix™
Adapted from the Eisenhower Matrix + 8 Masts of Mastery Framework
“What’s urgent isn’t always important — and what’s important rarely screams.”
🔲 1. Quadrant I: DO FIRST
(Urgent + Important)
Crisis + Mission-Critical Actions
Tasks that demand immediate attention and align directly with your highest values.
Examples:
Mental: Final prep for today’s talk that reinforces your purpose
Physical: Attending a physio appointment for an acute injury
Spiritual: Calming breathwork after emotional upheaval
Social: Making an urgent call to a friend in distress
Financial: Paying a bill to avoid default
Family: Picking up a sick child from school
Business: Responding to a time-sensitive client issue
Romance: Resolving an argument before it damages a connection
These are must-dos. Prioritize, then move on.
🔲 2. Quadrant II: PLAN & PRIORITIZE
(Not Urgent + Important)
Legacy-Building Actions
These shape your future — they matter deeply but don’t shout for your attention.
Examples:
Mental: Daily journaling or Substack writing
Physical: Consistent training for long-term vitality
Spiritual: Weekly solitude, prayer, or nature immersion
Social: Booking that overdue catch-up with a mentor
Financial: Creating a long-term investment plan
Family: Schedule one-on-one time with your child
Business: Building systems, refining your pitch, recording modules
Romance: Planning a weekend getaway or intentional check-in
Block time here. These define your mastery.
🔲 3. Quadrant III: DELEGATE or DEFLECT
(Urgent + Not Important)
Interruptions + Other People’s Priorities
These feel important but often serve someone else’s agenda — or could be outsourced.
Examples:
Mental: Answering non-essential emails
Physical: Social media trends about fitness fads
Spiritual: Getting caught in debates about belief systems
Social: Attending obligatory events that drain you
Financial: Micro-managing accounts when a bookkeeper can help
Family: Last-minute errands others could share
Business: Fixing tech problems you could delegate
Romance: Responding to non-urgent emotional texts during work focus
Protect your boundaries here — don't confuse urgency with significance.
🔲 4. Quadrant IV: DELETE or DETOX
(Not Urgent + Not Important)
Distractions + Numbing Habits
Time-fillers that pull you off-course and offer no real return.
Examples:
Mental: Endless news scrolling
Physical: Binge-eating out of boredom
Spiritual: Cynical self-talk or guilt spirals
Social: Gossip or shallow comparisons
Financial: Impulse online shopping
Family: Getting stuck in drama loops
Business: Tinkering endlessly with branding while avoiding sales
Romance: Passive-aggressive games, silent treatment, avoidance
Eliminate, automate, or ritualize boundaries here. Make space for real life.
Where across the course of your day today, could you consider where it might be that you define which mast of your life is stuck in Quadrant III or IV — and what would shift if you brought it into Quadrant II?
So, take ten quiet minutes to plan the week ahead, not just for productivity but for peace. Map your priorities and book time for movement, connection, and stillness. Because this time next week, you’ll either be sitting in regret or respect — and the difference is what you do right now. No one’s coming to organize your life for you. No one cares as much about your goals, sleep, or sanity as you should. So, plan like someone worth showing up for.
I know I am, and if you’re reading this, you know you are too.
While you’re thinking about that, think about this and have a Gr8 day!
Be well.
DL
“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - 1749 - 1832.