Since importance is such a central concept of Task Compass, let’s try to define it.
For the purpose of using the application, you don’t need a rigid definition. You can simply use your internal feeling: what feels more important to you? Your intuition is often the best guide.
If you prefer a more analytical approach, you can ask yourself this question:
How bad would the consequences be if I never did this?
Let’s take filing your taxes as an example. The deadline might be months away, so it isn’t urgent. But the consequences of never doing it are severe. The importance of the task is high, even when the urgency is low.
Task Compass is designed to steer you away from the “tyranny of the urgent” and towards what is truly important. The Eisenhower Matrix is a helpful mental model for understanding this distinction.
The Task Compass Matrix: Importance vs. Resistance
The Eisenhower Matrix is a powerful mental model, but its focus on “urgency” can still keep you in a reactive state. Task Compass introduces a more practical set of dimensions for personal productivity: Importance vs. Resistance.
- Importance: As we’ve defined it, this is about the long-term consequences of not doing something.
- Resistance: This is the internal friction you feel when you think about doing a task. It’s the “ugh” feeling that makes you procrastinate.
This creates a new matrix:
| Low Resistance | High Resistance | |
|---|---|---|
| High Importance | 1. Do Now Your most important tasks that feel easy. |
2. Schedule & Strategize The important work you’re avoiding. |
| Low Importance | 3. Delegate or Defer Easy wins that don’t help much. |
4. Delete Tasks you don’t want to do and don’t need to do. |
By focusing on resistance instead of urgency, Task Compass helps you understand your own psychology and provides a more accurate picture of your true priorities. It’s not just about what’s important; it’s about what’s important and what’s holding you back.