Let’s talk about
Quadrant III of the Covey Matrix. It’s the home of tasks that feel urgent but aren’t really important. These are the pings, people, and “quick questions” that derail your focus and eat into your time for things that actually matter.
If you’re constantly getting interrupted or pulled into other people’s priorities, you’re not alone. These QIII tasks can suck up your time and energy fast. But the good news? You can take back some control.
Block off "Focus Time" in your calendar, even if it’s just 30 minutes. Wear headphones. Close your door. Put up a “do not disturb” sticky note. Small, visible signals can go a long way in giving you space to work without interruptions.
Interruptions are easier to recover from when your systems are ADHD-friendly. Tools like “Next Steps” or “5-Minute Goals” can help you get restarted quickly. Bonus: Having your files and documents clearly labeled (and easy to find!) reduces friction when you’re bouncing back into a task.
Try bookending your day with 5–10 minutes of planning. In the morning, glance at your priorities and check for any must-dos. At the end of the day, do an EDR—an “End of Day Reset.” It’s a quick brain-dump, tidy-up, or list refresh so you’re not starting from chaos tomorrow.
Some jobs (and lives!) are just interruption-heavy. That’s real. Try asking for longer deadlines, building in buffer time, or using a BVA (Budgeted vs. Actual) time tracker to notice where your day actually goes. Less shame, more strategy.
If you missed last week’s tip about the full Covey Matrix, check it out
here. You can also download WorkSmart's Covey Quadrants template by
clicking here. If you’re already using this tool, how do you manage your QIII distractions? Any creative workarounds?
