Daily Maverick published an opinion piece by writer and coach Louise Janovsky addressing the challenge of managing extensive to-do lists amidst professional interruptions. The article, titled "Get the right things done," proposes a four-step framework for allocating time between career and personal life. Janovsky argues that working through lists sequentially is often ineffective, suggesting instead that readers consciously direct attention toward activities aligned with their values.

The first step involves prioritizing tasks using the time management matrix popularized by Stephen Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This matrix categorizes activities by urgency and importance, identifying the second quadrant—important but not urgent tasks—as critical for professional progress. Janovsky notes that coaching clients are often surprised by how little time they spend on these high-value activities, such as planning and relationship building. The article explains that time spent on urgent crises reduces capacity for strategic work, while investing in the latter helps prevent future crises.

To implement this, Janovsky advises scheduling important tasks into calendars using substantial blocks of time. She references Tim Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Workweek, which advocates batching routine tasks like email checks to reduce interruptions. The author emphasizes effectiveness over efficiency, arguing that completing long lists quickly does not guarantee good time usage if tasks do not advance goals. This approach requires treating scheduled deep-work sessions with the same punctuality and preparation as customer meetings.

The third step focuses on managing urgent but unimportant activities, such as interruptions, by delegating or deferring them. Janovsky describes her practice of batching administrative work into specific weekly sessions using a timer, allowing her to complete related tasks efficiently. She notes that delegation can empower colleagues when they are thoroughly briefed on the purpose and expected outcomes of assigned work.

Finally, the article addresses the fourth quadrant, which includes activities that are neither urgent nor important, such as aimless social media scrolling. Janovsky suggests disabling notifications, using social media intentionally, and establishing barriers to workplace interruptions. The piece concludes that managing these disruptions frees up significant hours, which can then be directed toward meaningful work and personal recreation, ultimately creating a more fulfilling life.