How to apply the 20/80 principle in life

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto once observed that 20% of the peas planted in his garden account for 80% of the crop. This allowed him to formulate a rule of 20% effort, giving 80% of the result. You can use the 20/80 principle not only in work, but also in other areas of life.

It is a popular way to measure performance and optimize performance across industries and businesses.

Companies often find that 80% of their profits come from 20% of their customers; that 20% of salespeople close 80% of sales and that 20% of value accounts for 80% of costs. Ditto over time: 80% of productivity takes 20% of the time, 80% of profits come from 20% of employees. Examples can be given further.

Of course, the numbers are not always exactly 20/80. It may be 76/24 or 83/17, but the ratio of four to one is always traced.

The 20/80 principle is widely used in business, but it can also be applied in everyday life. First of all, at work.

What tasks do you spend 80% of your time on? By e-mail? Messengers? Remember that this is only 20% beneficial, and focus on the things that really matter. And what part of your work activity brings you 80% of your earnings, the demand from your superiors and the respect of your colleagues?

Try to answer the following questions as well. They seem complicated, but only because you've never tried to calculate it before.

• What 20% of things have the most value for you (80% or more)?
• What do you spend 20% of your time on while getting 80% of your happiness?
• Who in your environment makes you as happy as possible?
• What 20% of clothes do you wear 80% of the time?
• What's in the 20% of foods and meals that make up 80% of your diet?

Have you answered? Now consider how you can improve these areas of your life.

For example, if it turns out that 80% of your time you spend with those who give you only 20% pleasure, then you should change your social circle.

If you spend 80% of your time, for example, on the Internet, but enjoy only 20% of your time, think about what you do on the Internet? It might be worth changing activities or shortening the time spent at the computer.

If you use only 20% of your items, throw them away or sell them. It's the same with clothes.

By analyzing your diet according to the 20/80 principle, you will understand how healthy your diet is. If 80% of the time you eat fatty foods, is it time to go on a diet? Reconsider the proportions so that not-so-healthy food occupies only 20% on your table.

Rational Pareto's law is applicable even to the sphere of love, which at first glance is completely irrational. What 20% of actions provoke 80% of problems in your relationship? What were those 20% of conversations that made you and your partner 80% closer?

Most of us have never looked at relationships this way, and it can be very rewarding.

Every aspect of life has its own efficiency.

Using the 20/80 principle, you can not only assess the effectiveness of life, but also take it under control. Take responsibility and improve those areas where there are problems.

Of course, Pareto's law is not a panacea. You should not raise it to the rank of a life credo and weigh absolutely everything according to this principle. But the 20/80 rule is a great tool to bring something new into your life.

Think about what you could change in your life based on the 20/80 principle?

Record the answers on paper or in the comments.