The 80/20 Rule - Focus on what matters most
When prioritizing tasks, clients, or resources
Understanding the Rule
The Pareto Principle states that roughly 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. This means a small portion of your activities, clients, or features typically generate the majority of your outcomes. Identifying and focusing on this critical 20% maximizes your effectiveness and return on investment.
What Happens When You Break It
Ignoring this principle leads to spreading yourself too thin, working on trivial tasks while neglecting high-impact opportunities, burnout from constant busyness without meaningful progress, and missing your most important goals.
Benefits of Following This Rule
Applying the 80/20 rule dramatically increases productivity, reduces overwhelm, helps you achieve more with less effort, improves focus on high-value activities, and leads to better business outcomes and personal satisfaction.