Urgent situations need immediate attention. Potential examples of things that might be urgent but not important for someone are:

• notifications on your phone;

• last-minute social plans;

• responding to emails; and

• household chores.

​​Urgent but Not Important

Important situations have serious meaning or worth. Potential examples of things that might be important but not urgent for someone are:

• long-term project planning;

• reflecting on personal goals;

• learning new skills; and

• building meaningful relationships.

Important but Not Urgent

Remember that the Eisenhower Method separates tasks and activities you need to do into four categories based on importance and urgency. The categories are:

• Urgent and Important: Do it immediately

• Important but Not Urgent: Schedule It

• Urgent but Not Important: Delegate it if you can

• Neither Urgent nor Important: Eliminate this or minimize it

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The Eisenhower Method

Remember that the Pomodoro Method involves short, focused work intervals followed by brief breaks. While you are in a work interval, you must focus on your activity, and while you are taking a break, you should be trying to relax yourself and your brain.

A Pomodoro is a 25-minute work interval followed by a 5-minute break. After you complete 4 Pomodoro's, you can take a more extended break of 15–30 minutes.

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Pomodoro Technique

Think about yourself and how you like to work. Are you more inclined to have structured plans that get completed over time?

If so, the Eisenhower Method might be better for you. Or do you like shorter bursts of intense focus?

If so, the Pomodoro Technique might work better for you.

Personal preference

The nature of the task plays a significant role. Urgent, deadline-driven tasks might align better with the Pomodoro Technique, while complex, long-term projects may benefit from the strategic planning of the Eisenhower Method.

​​Nature of the Task

Individual working styles vary from person to person. Some people may thrive in a more structured environment (the Eisenhower Method), while others might prefer the flexibility and adaptability offered by the Pomodoro Technique.

​​Individual Working Style

Meet Monique, a tenth-grade student with a busy schedule. She made a to-do list of items she needed to complete by next week. 

Her to-do list includes: 

• math homework due in two days;

• history project due next week;

• science research paper due in three days; and 

• basketball practice every night at 5 p.m. 

She needs to implement a time management strategy to help her stay on track and complete everything, but she is unsure which one to use.

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Instead of using the Eisenhower Method, Monique will see if the Pomodoro Technique will better assist her in completing her assignments. The first step to using this technique will be figuring out the order in which she needs to complete her assignments. She decides to prioritize the list by their due date:

1. math homework

2. science research paper

3. history project

Basketball practice is unique and will require adapted Pomodoro cycles.

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Now, you will prepare for an upcoming assignment by completing your to-do list. The list will look like the image to the left. Your list can have items that need to be completed on it today, tomorrow, this week, or in the future. It is up to you!

Then, based on the nature of the tasks and activities you wrote on your list, you will choose the best method for completing them.

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Completing Your Own To-Do List