Beyond the Balance Wheel: Living in Quadrant 2

Beyond the Balance Wheel: Living in Quadrant 2

by Locke Curfman, MA, LPC, Co-Clinical Director

In her recent farewell post, Kelsie shared a powerful reflection on endings, beginnings, and the importance of stepping back to realign our time with our values. Her transparency about the toll of imbalance—and the courage it takes to choose change—resonated deeply with me, not just as a colleague, but as a fellow sojourner trying to walk wisely through life’s competing demands. As I reflect on her words, I’m reminded of a framework that’s shaped my own personal and professional growth: Stephen Covey’s "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." At the heart of Covey’s message is the idea that effectiveness—true, lasting effectiveness—comes from living with intentionality, clarity, and alignment. One concept that especially complements Kelsie’s post is what Covey called “Quadrant 2 living.”

The 4 Quadrants of Time Management

Covey divided all our daily tasks into four categories:- Quadrant 1: Urgent and Important (Crises, deadlines, emergencies)- Quadrant 2: Not Urgent but Important (Planning, rest, relationship-building, growth)- Quadrant 3: Urgent but Not Important (Interruptions, some emails, other people’s agendas)- Quadrant 4: Not Urgent and Not Important (Mindless scrolling, busywork, distractions). Most of us spend our days putting out fires in Quadrant 1 or reacting to the noise of Quadrant 3. But Quadrant 2? That’s where the magic happens. That’s where we build the kind of life we want—not just the one we’ve inherited or defaulted into.

Quadrant 2 is Where Balance is Built

Kelsie encouraged us to evaluate our lives with tools like the Balance Wheel, helping us visualize where we are overextended, underinvested, or misaligned with what we say we value. That process—pausing to reflect, recalibrate, and choose—is a quintessential Quadrant 2 activity. Here’s what I find beautiful about Quadrant 2: it invites us to slow down. To be proactive. To make decisions not based on the loudest voice, but the truest need. Things like:- Taking time for quiet prayer or journaling- Scheduling a weekly date night or coffee with a friend- Getting ahead on planning—not reacting in panic- Going to therapy—not just for crisis, but for growth- Choosing rest—not because you're exhausted, but because you're humanThese activities rarely feel urgent… until we neglect them long enough that they become crisis-level problems. That’s the pattern Kelsie wisely interrupted in her own life—and that’s the invitation for all of us.

Living in Alignment with Our Roles

Covey also reminds us that we wear many hats: parent, professional, partner, friend, caregiver, person of faith. Each role carries responsibilities—but also rich opportunities for fulfillment. Quadrant 2 living means we take time to invest in each role intentionally, not just reactively.Kelsie’s decision to step away from her director role wasn’t just about letting go of something good. It was about creating more space for what matters most in this season—her family, her clients, and her own wellness. That’s what it means to live by values, not velocity.

A Gentle Invitation

So here’s a gentle challenge, both to myself and to you: Where in your life are the important-but-not-urgent things being squeezed out?What is one Quadrant 2 habit you could begin this week? Maybe it’s as simple as blocking off time to revisit your own Balance Wheel. Maybe it’s a walk. A quiet cup of coffee without your phone. A therapy session you’ve been putting off. Or a conversation with a loved one that’s long overdue. Whatever it is, start small—but start. As Covey writes, “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” And in that spirit, may we all grow not just more productive, but more purposeful.