80/20

Life doesn’t offer an equal split. For every input, there isn’t always an exact output. There isn’t always a one-to-one ratio that predicts what happens in life. The Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule, explains this idea. The 80/20 rule says that roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes. This means that the vast majority of outcomes observed are driven by a small subset of the causes responsible.

This principle can be applied nearly anywhere in life. From manufacturing, management, and human resources, outcomes can be boiled down to coming from 20% of the inputs. In a company, 80% of the sales revenue could come from the efforts of 20% of the company. Whether that be the efforts of a few sales associates or the creative minds of a couple of members of the marketing team, “the few” can generate “the many” of the results.

Running is another field where the 80/20 principle is widely followed and adhered to in a similar way. The way many runners improve is by sticking to a workout split where roughly 80% of the workouts are run at a slower pace, where the runner’s body is training at a lower heart rate, so that they build their aerobic capacity. The other 20% of training is dedicated to speed workouts and progression runs where they go close to their race pace. This is slightly different than saying 20% of work determines 80% of the outcomes, but in the world of running, it’s a paradox that says you need to run slower to ultimately become faster when it comes to race day. Over the long run, a runner who sticks to the 80/20 split will become faster than the runner who runs every run like it is a race. The 80/20 principle remains true.

On a personal level, the 80/20 principle can also be applied. Time management is the most common use of this principle, and generally says that 80% of your work-related output could be driven from only 20% of your time if you focus. The problem so many people encounter is that they spread themselves too thin and end up wasting time because of a lack of focus. By recognizing this reality, they can plan their days to rapidly and dramatically increase their output, their 80%, so that they gain time back.

Applying the 80/20 principle to your life demands that you find focus in how you live. If you can focus energy on 20% of your time, you will be able to achieve 80% of the outcomes in your life. Life doesn’t follow a one-to-one ratio. Make the most of the 20% and the 80% will manifest in your life.