APPLYING THE PARETO PRINCIPLE INTO YOUR TIME-MANAGEMENT: Leverage Your Success by Prioritizing Your Action List

Written by Marie T. Rogers, MPS, Ph.D., RYT

Named after Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, the Pareto Principle simply observes that for many phenomena 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. This principle, often used in business, helps in determining where to best focus your efforts in order to obtain maximum results.

For example,

80% of a business’ profits come from 20% of its customers or clients.
80% of a business’ profits come from 20% of its services and/or goods.

While at its inception the Pareto Principle, or more commonly known as the 80/20 rule was applicable to economics, it has since grown to include other factors extending beyond the world of business.

Think about how the Pareto Principle plays out in your everyday life.

80% of the time, you wear only about 20% of the total clothes in your wardrobe.
80% of the time, you interact with only about 20% of your friends and relatives.
80% of the time, you frequent approximately only 20% of your local eateries.

So, if this is true for you, then there is a large percentage of clothes in your closet that typically go unworn, friends and family who are only occasionally interacted with, and a large majority of cafes, restaurants and other eating establishments that rarely get your business. When analyzing this, does it make you want to donate some (or a lot) of your clothes, perhaps reach out to family and friends who typically do not get your attention or time, or visit a new dining establishment? Decisions based on the 80/20 rule will help you refine, and sometimes better define, your life.

To rise above mediocrity, you must have a solid mindset, worthy goals, and a strategic system. How you see yourself, how you spend your time, and who you hang around with matter. Let’s take this a step further and connect it to the 80/20 rule and your To-Do or Action list, and see how you can best use this principle regarding time management.

WITHIN PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY, 80% OF YOUR RESULTS, IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, GENERATE FROM 20% OF YOUR TASKS.

When viewing your list, consider the 20% of items that will yield the most rewards, as not every item is equal in its importance. Also consider that there may be actions you need to take that will advance your life in powerful ways that are currently nowhere to be found on your To-Do or Action List.

Let’s use the examples of exercising and journaling. If they are on your list, then prioritize them by moving them to the top; to the earliest part of your day. If they did not make the list, then this is a good time to include them. Let’s look at why.

By prioritizing exercising and journaling, your return on investment will be increased energy, productivity, and clarity as you go about your day.

Even by just allocating 30 minutes of exercise and 15 minutes of journaling (in which you self-reflect, embrace your gratitude and jot down your goals for the day), your 45 minutes spent here will yield dramatic results vis a vis your levels of focus for the next 8 – 10 hours.

THE 80/20 RULE IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PRIORITIZATION TOOLS YOU CAN USE TO EXTRACT THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DAY.

With your elevated energy and productivity and increased clarity and focus, you will in all likelihood experience your day as flowing smoothly as opposed to chaotic, out of control and stressed.

These two activities (consuming a small percentage of your day ) will powerfully influence your life by a much larger percentage; hence the Pareto Principle.

Reflect on this question for a moment. Can you immediately identify one action (or one habit) that you can start doing or stop doing today that will yield significant results in your life? Now is a good time to prioritize this action.

The information presented in this blog is intended for general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical/health or professional advice or treatment. As with most things in life, there isn't a magic pill or "cure-all" but there are strategies to help regain control of your life.