Vilfredo Pareto’s 80/20 rule states that in any particular pursuit we undertake approximately 80% of the results may come from just 20% of our efforts.  What this means is that there are a fair few of us that are spinning our wheels the vast majority of the time.  Or put another way, we are majoring in the minors.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Identify Your Best 20%   

What are your key 20% of efforts that give you the largest return on your investment of time?

Could you turn this 20% into 100% of your time focus?

Could you get rid of the 80% of effort that gives you minimal return on your investment?

Once you identify your key 20% focus on it relentlessly.  Look for ways to move other distractions out of the way.  Look to build on and exploit your best and most productive 20% so it turns into 100%.

80/20 analysis, thinking and action can and should apply to all areas of your life.  Despite its reputation with some it is not just a business tactic or indeed a business buzzword.  Vilfredo Pareto came up with his original principal and concepts around 80/20 over 100 years ago.  80/20 has stood the test of time for very good reason, it’s effective and it works!

You can apply 80/20 thinking and analysis to the whole of your life to ensure you are focusing your efforts and energies on the things/people/tasks that really matter to you and give you the most return on your investment.

This 80/20 related post will be the first in a mini-series of posts inspired by the concept.