Concept · Time & Prioritization
Eisenhower Matrix
Origin: Dwight Eisenhower (attributed)
Biological Parallel
Foraging animals face the same 2x2 decision grid: urgent threats (predator!) versus important calories (prime feeding ground). A gazelle ignores important grazing when a lion appears (urgent), but spends most energy on important-not-urgent foraging that builds reserves. The matrix isn't a productivity hack—it's how organisms allocate attention to survive. Urgency hijacks biology; importance requires discipline.