By Steven Lee, venture partner at NGVP. Optometrist and principal inventor in 15+ patent grants. Pioneered online vision testing.
getty
In our lives, we face various demands that can be challenging, effortless, enjoyable or unpleasant. Some activities bring us satisfaction, while others leave us feeling drained. These diverse experiences can be grouped into four categories, according to their level of demand and desirability. By understanding these categories, we can better organize our lives, maximize our productivity and increase our overall satisfaction.
The four quadrants approach is a framework I developed that divides our experiences into four groups based on two dimensions: demand and desirability. The first dimension, demand, refers to the level of effort, time or resources a task requires. The second dimension, desirability, represents the level of enjoyment or satisfaction you derive from an activity. The four quadrants are as follows:
1. Demanding things we like.
2. Demanding things we hate.
3. Non-demanding things we like.
4. Non-demanding things we hate.
The goal of the four quadrants approach is to maximize the number of activities in the demanding things we like quadrant, which includes activities that require us to invest significant effort but also allow us to derive significant satisfaction. In the remaining three quadrants, we should aim to move as many tasks as possible into the non-demanding things we like quadrant, which is where we can find activities that are enjoyable and effortless. Although it is also preferable to have fewer items in the non-demanding things we hate quadrant, these tasks will not be as taxing on our time and energy.
Let us explore each of these quadrants in more detail in the context of our personal and professional lives.
1. Demanding Things We Like
The demanding things we like quadrant represents activities that require significant effort and time but that also bring us a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment. Examples of these activities may include pursuing a challenging career, working on a passion project, or training for a competitive sport. These tasks require perseverance, discipline and hard work, but they also provide us with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
To maximize the number of activities in this quadrant, we need to identify our passions, interests and strengths. We should focus on developing skills and knowledge that align with our goals and aspirations. We may need to make sacrifices, such as giving up leisure time or socializing, to achieve our objectives. However, the rewards of investing in demanding things we like can be immense, both in terms of personal satisfaction and professional success.
2. Demanding Things We Hate
The demanding things we hate quadrant represents activities that require significant effort and time but that do not bring us any enjoyment or satisfaction. These may include chores, administrative tasks or other responsibilities that we find tedious or unpleasant. Although we cannot eliminate all of these activities from our lives, we can try to minimize their impact by delegating them to others, automating them or finding ways to make them more tolerable. For example, we could hire a cleaning service, use software to streamline our business’s finances or listen to music while doing mundane work tasks.
To minimize the number of activities in this quadrant, we need to be mindful of our priorities and boundaries. We should avoid taking on too many responsibilities that do not align with our goals or values. We can also develop coping mechanisms to deal with the tasks that we dislike, such as setting small, achievable goals; rewarding ourselves after completing them; or breaking them down into smaller tasks. By reducing the number of demanding things we hate, particularly in our professional lives, we can free up more time and energy for the activities that matter to us.
3. Non-Demanding Things We Like
The non-demanding things we like quadrant represents activities that do not require much effort or time but that bring us a great deal of enjoyment or relaxation. These may include hobbies, leisure activities or socializing with friends and family. Although these activities may not have a direct impact on our financial growth, they can still play a substantial role in our overall happiness in life.
4. Non-Demanding Things We Hate
These tasks may include a daily grocery store pickup that you outsource to a caregiver or even a rental property you own that it is no longer financially wise to keep.
Using The Four Quadrants Approach
One way to use this framework is to create a list of all of the tasks, responsibilities and activities in your life, and then categorize them into the four quadrants. This can help you identify which areas of your life and business you may need to focus on improving and where you can find ways to delegate or eliminate tasks that are in the quadrant of “demanding things we hate.”
Once you have identified the tasks that fall into the “demanding things we like” quadrant, it is important to prioritize them and make time for them in your schedule. These are the tasks that will likely bring you the most fulfillment and satisfaction in your professional life, so it is worth investing your time and energy into them.
For the items in the “non-demanding things we like” quadrant, it can be helpful to schedule specific times for these activities, whether they are hobbies or work social events. This will ensure that you are making time for the things that bring you joy and not letting them fall to the wayside in favor of more demanding tasks.
When it comes to the “non-demanding things we hate” quadrant, it is important to recognize that these tasks may still need to be completed, but you may be able to prioritize them less than other tasks that you enjoy or find more fulfilling. One way to approach these tasks is to find ways to make them more enjoyable, such as listening to music or working on a task in the office with a colleague.
Finally, for the items in the “demanding things we hate” quadrant, it may be necessary to delegate or outsource these tasks if possible. This can help free up your time and energy for tasks that you find more fulfilling or enjoyable.
Overall, the goal of this framework is to help individuals identify which areas of their professional and personal lives they need to focus on in order to achieve greater fulfillment and balance. By categorizing tasks into these four quadrants, individuals can better understand their priorities and make intentional choices about how to allocate their time and energy.
