In 1906 there was an Italian economist named Vilfredo Pareto. One day Pareto noticed that every year, 20% of the pea pods in his garden produced approximately 80% of the peas.
This became known as the Pareto Principle, or what is now often referred to as the 80/20 Principle.
The 80/20 Principle states that 80% of the output or results will come from 20% of the input or action.
For instance:
– What are the 20% of your possessions you get the most value out of?
– What do you spend 20% of your time doing that gives you 80% of your happiness?
– Who are the 20% of people you’re close to who make you the happiest?
– What are the 20% of the clothes you wear 80% of the time?
– What’s the 20% of food you eat 80% of the time?
– Have you ever set your mind intentionally on answering the above questions. So now lets make some forceful checks in life to bring our life back on track.
Think about it :
– Check the 80% percent of the time that you spent with people is adding just 20% of value in your life. Stay only with those 20% of people who can re-energize you for your life 80%
– Check those 20% of behaviors that cause 80% of the problems in your relationships? What are 20% of the conversations that create 80% of the intimacy with your partner or are the cause of discord 80% of the time
– Check the 80% of what you spent money on was not useful or healthy for your lifestyle. The value add was barely 20%. There was no value for the money spent.
– Check the 80% of household you possess are being used only 20% of the time, try to get rid of extra to de-clutter the house
– Check 20% of the type of food that benefits you 80% and keeps you healthy. So avoid dieting and switch to smart 80:20 diet plan.
– Check your T.V. time, for 80% of the time, you only might be watching those programs that are only 20% informative and are accounted for healthy entertainment. This habit is draining your beautiful time from your life.
These are important points that most of us never even consider. It doesn’t occur to us that there’s an efficiency to every aspect of our lives, to everything we do.
And not only is there an efficiency, but we have control and influence over that efficiency. It’s something we can take responsibility for and improve.
Obviously, the 80/20 rule is not necessarily a rigid dictum to live by (don’t let the 80/20 rule become the 80% that gives 20% of the results!). But think of it as a tool, a lens to view aspects of your life through.
Sit down and think about it, maybe even write it out. You’ll likely be surprised with the realizations you come to.
Stay Blessed, reach 80:20.
-By Ravinder Virdi
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