WikiPedia explains that the Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule, “states that for many phenomena, 80% of the consequences stem from 20% of the causes.” Logically, we know this to be true. For example, in the 1990s, Michael Jordan’s contribution to the six Chicago Bull championships was much greater than the contribution of the other 80% of the team.
Here’s how to make the 80/20 rule work for you:
1. Eliminate inefficient activities.
As with drinking water, what matters most is not what you put into it, but what you get out of it. Impurities in drinking water are unnecessary at best and can actually be harmful. The same goes for inefficient or unnecessary activities. They may prevent you from reaching your full potential. By eliminating them, you will have more time to focus on more effective activities.
2. Have a long-term perspective.
By knowing where you are going, you understand how today’s choices impact your tomorrow. This is beautifully illustrated in Luke 10: 38-42.
“While Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a town where a woman named Martha opened her house for him. She had a sister named Maria, who was sitting at the Lord’s feet listening to what He was saying. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations had to be made. She approached him and asked, “Sir, don’t you mind that my sister left me to do the work myself? Tell him to help me! “
“‘Marta, Marta,’ replied the Lord, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one is necessary. Mary has chosen the best and they will not take it away from her.’
In that moment, Mary made the best decision. This was an opportunity that was only available to Martha and her sister for a brief moment in history. What a missed opportunity!
3. Focus on your most valuable tasks.
When prioritizing your day, make the decision to focus on the tasks of the top 20%. Those tasks that will contribute 80% of your results. By taking this approach consistently over time, your productivity will start to grow exponentially. Instead of your job having a 1 to 1 ratio, it will have a 1 to 5 ratio. In other words, for each input, you will generate 5 outputs.
When you move all of your activities to the top 20%, the top 20% of those tasks will have a ratio of 1 to 10. As you improve your ability to determine and focus on the most leveraged tasks, you will be able to produce the work of 100 or more people. . This ability to leverage is one of the reasons why people with higher incomes earn 100 times more than the average person.
