It is important "to" me to stay on task.

[sitifan]

It is important to me to stay on task. (My bold.)
Source: Su Chin and Li Weizhen, English Grammar Makes Sense, p160.

Can I use "for me" instead of "to me" in the above sentence?

 

[Tarheel]

Yes. In fact, I suggest that you do that.

 

[emsr2d2]

I find both of them natural.

 

[sitifan]

1. It is important to me to stay on task. (My bold.)
2. It is important for me to stay on task. (My bold.)
Source: Su Chin and Li Weizhen, English Grammar Makes Sense, p160.

According to the book:
In #1, "it" refers to "to stay on task."
In #2, "it" refers to "for me to stay on task."

Do native speakers agree with the above linguistic analysis?

 

[emsr2d2]

I disagree. It's a dummy "it". If it refers to anything, it's simply "stay on task".