I use the system described by Stephen Covey in his book ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’, which is the Time Management Matrix. It is incredibly helpful and truly eye-opening.

He referred to it as the fourth generation of time management. The first three generations were:

First Generation: This generation focuses on notes and checklists. It’s characterized by the basic approach of keeping track of tasks and to-dos. The key idea here is simply to remember what needs to be done.

Second Generation: The second generation introduces calendars and appointment books. This marks a progression from the first generation by scheduling events and activities. It’s more about planning and preparing in advance, rather than just noting what needs to be done.

Third Generation: The third generation encompasses planning and prioritization. This generation introduces the importance of setting goals, prioritizing tasks, and planning on a daily or weekly basis. It’s more proactive and involves more detailed planning.

The fourth generation, which Covey believed to be the most effective, focuses on relationships and results. This generation emphasizes the importance of being effective, not just efficient. It involves managing oneself in relation to others and focuses on achieving results while maintaining a balance in life.