Don’t you find yourself in awe when the days of the week seem to pass so very fast? On the one hand, you’re adapting to new routines or refining existing ones, which takes time, focus and patience. On the other hand, you may be bombarded with a multitude of seemingly never-ending time-consuming tasks. Finding balance and being able to execute the to-do list can be overwhelming and taxing.
When dealing with complexities and high-stress environments, whether that be in your work or personal life, a core principle that is often overlooked but cannot be underestimated is the “80/20 Rule” (also known as the Pareto principle). Put simply, the 80/20 Rule indicates that often 80% of results will come from just 20% of the action.
A number of prolific authors writing about productivity and work-life balance have adapted the 80/20 Rule. The likes of Tony Robbins, Robin Sharma, Brian Tracy and Steven Covey have used this principle in their teachings for one good reason – it works. So doing less for maximum benefit may just be the calling for 2022. And we’re only in March – so plenty of time to try it out.
Steps to apply the 80/20 rule
- Identify all your daily/weekly tasks.
- Identify key tasks.
- What are the tasks that give you more return?
- Brainstorm how you can reduce or transfer the tasks that give you less return.
- Create a plan to do more that brings you more value.
- Use the 80/20 Rule to prioritise any project you’re working on.
- Set a plan to focus on activities that produce the most results.
- Simplicity; don’t overthink and create unnecessary work to achieve that one thing that will bring you bliss.
Info courtesy of Africology Spa.