Separate Urgent from Important
Added 2026-10-31
Re-sort by consequence and timing, not by who is shouting loudest.
I have a pile of tasks and cannot tell what matters. I will give the list, who asked and when it is due. Do: 1) sort on two axes — consequence of not doing it and how soon it hits; 2) flag what is urgent to someone else but unimportant to my goals; 3) flag what nobody chases but gets expensive if delayed; 4) give today's order, three items max; 5) name two things I can decline or delay, and how to say it.
Site original
Chinese original
How to use
紧急是别人的时间表，重要是你自己的。
Try tweaking it
- Ask what evidence would overturn the judgement.
- Have it argue both sides with three reasons each.
What you should get
- A decision table: assumptions, evidence, counter-evidence
- A next action with an observable signal
Common mistakes
- Asking only "should I?" and getting equally valid answers both ways.
- Never asking for counter-examples, so you only hear support.
How to check the output
- It states what evidence would overturn the conclusion.
- Both sides are argued, with assumptions marked as such.
Where it works
- Good for: splitting a decision into assumptions, evidence and counter-cases, leaving the call to you.
- Watch out: ask what evidence would overturn the judgement, or you will only hear supporting reasons.