Time to Read: 2 min.

Have you ever felt like you’re constantly busy but not truly productive? The 80/20 rule, a principle introduced by Vilfredo Pareto, might just be the key to transforming your efforts into results. This simple yet profound concept suggests that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts. However, applying this concept in practice is often easier said than done. But why is that the case?

Margeaux’s Story: A Relatable Journey
When I first met Margeaux (pseudonym), I was struck by her intelligence, work ethic, and deep concern for her team. Leading over 1,200 people in a Fortune 500 company, Margeaux faced a dilemma familiar to many of us: managing an overwhelming array of business priorities while nurturing customer, team, and leadership relationships. She described feeling like a hamster on a wheel – expending energy but not making real progress.

A Simple Yet Challenging Exercise
To address this, we discussed the 80/20 rule and how it could help Margeaux focus on what truly matters. The challenge was to confront her tendency to take on too much, leading to exhausting 60+ hour work weeks. We tried a simple exercise:

1. Review Time Allocation: Print a calendar of the past 90 days and the next 90 days, analyzing time spent.

2. Prioritize with Constraints: With only two four-hour blocks per day, decide what to keep, drop, or delegate for maximum impact.

Initially, cutting her work time seemed daunting, but Margeaux crafted a plan she felt comfortable with. Taking the exercise a step further, I challenged her to limit herself to just two two-hour blocks per day. Though skeptical, she found this second exercise even more enlightening.

Remarkable Transformation
Six months later, Margeaux achieves more in less time and with less stress. She has empowered her team through delegation and applies the 80/20rule rigorously. This has not only transformed her work-life balance but also her team’s effectiveness and satisfaction.

Reflections for the Holiday Season
As we head into the holiday season, a time of pause and reflection, I revisit two profound books: Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” and Clayton Christensen’s “How Will You Measure Your Life?” Each reading brings new insights, reflecting my personal growth and changing perspectives.

Your Turn to Reflect
What if you took time this holiday break to reflect on what and who really matters in your life? Consider the impact you’re making and what you might do differently in 2024. A question I often ask myself is, what will I regret not doing in a year, three years, or five years from now? It’s a powerful way to stay focused on that crucial 20%.

I’d love to hear your plans for applying the 80/20 rule in your life. Share your thoughts with me, and I’ll compile them into an anonymized list for our community in a future Thought Letter. Let’s inspire each other on this journey of focused effort and meaningful impact.

I’ll be back with a new Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter in the new year. Until then, happy holidays and thoughtful reflections!