Last updated on Feb 20, 2024
- All
- Soft Skills
- Time Management
Powered by AI and the LinkedIn community
1
What is the 80/20 rule?
2
How to identify the 20%?
3
How to focus on the 20%?
4
What are the benefits of the 80/20 rule?
5
How to apply the 80/20 rule to other areas of your life?
6
Here’s what else to consider
Do you often feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks on your to-do list? Do you struggle to prioritize your work and achieve your goals? If so, you might benefit from applying the 80/20 rule to your time management.
Top experts in this article
Selected by the community from 26 contributions. Learn more
Earn a Community Top Voice badge
Add to collaborative articles to get recognized for your expertise on your profile. Learn more
- Job Makoyo (Dr) M.B.Ch.B | Public Health | MBA- HCM | SRHR Expert | Quality Improvement Expert | Learning DHIS 2
9
-
5
1 What is the 80/20 rule?
The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle, states that 80% of the results come from 20% of the causes. In other words, a small proportion of your actions have a large impact on your outcomes. For example, 80% of your sales might come from 20% of your customers, or 80% of your happiness might come from 20% of your activities.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Job Makoyo (Dr) M.B.Ch.B | Public Health | MBA- HCM | SRHR Expert | Quality Improvement Expert | Learning DHIS 2
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
One thing I have found helpful in this is to estimate the impact from the different solutions or options towards a problem and the focus on the most impactful ones. For example, in my previous line of work, we found that referrals and/or word of mouth from satisfied clients contributed to the highest number of clients seeking services in our clinics compared to social media and other forms of advertisem*nt. So this helped us to focus on creating an excellent customer experience and focusing on providing quality services so that satisfied customers can amplify our quality and their satisfaction leading to more clients.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
9
-
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
This rule can have significant and far-reaching outcomes when applied correctly. For example, in problem-solving situations. Often there is the temptation to look at the symptoms instead of the root causes. In addressing the 20% often representing the source of the problem, the 80% gets taken care of or addressed.Similarly, when it comes to offering packages as a service provider, given the industry, you could focus a lot on acquiring fewer quality clients able to afford more of the premium packages than the basic and ordinary packages.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
5
- Love Arya Freelancer | Content Writer / Blogger
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Not all tasks are created equal. Some tasks generate significantly more impact than others, even though they might take the same amount of time.Focus on the "vital few." By identifying the 20% of tasks that truly drive your results, you can prioritize and maximize your effectiveness.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
3
-
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
By applying the 80/20 rule to task management, we can optimize our productivity and focus on the tasks that have the greatest impact on our overall success. This approach allows us to work smarter, rather than harder, by directing our time and energy towards what truly matters.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
3
Load more contributions
2 How to identify the 20%?
The first step to use the 80/20 rule for time management is to identify the 20% of tasks that produce the most value for your goals. These are tasks that align with your purpose, vision, and core values, as well as those which leverage your strengths, skills, and talents. To find them, ask yourself questions such as: what are the most important goals you want to achieve? What key activities contribute to those goals? What tasks can only you do or do you do best? And what tasks make you feel fulfilled and energized?
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
-
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
I firmly believe that self-reflection is key to finding the most important tasks that make a big difference. Asking yourself questions like what matters and what you're best at helps a lot. When we do tasks that match our values and strengths, we get more done and feel better about it.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
3
- Ghulam Mustafa, P.Eng., P. E., PMP Project Manager at BC Hydro
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Eat the biggest frog first which means start with a task that seems most complex and the hardest. The thing about the biggest frog (a difficult task) is that they might consume some time but the payoffs can be great. No matter how tempting it might seem to do simple and small things first, always do the difficult tasks first.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
Load more contributions
3 How to focus on the 20%?
To maximize your time and energy, focus on the 20% of tasks that matter most. This means eliminating, delegating, or automating the 80% of tasks that are less important, less urgent, or less enjoyable. Setting clear boundaries, saying no to distractions, and avoiding perfectionism can help you achieve this. Creating a daily or weekly schedule that blocks out time for the 20% tasks, setting SMART goals and action plans for them, and using tools like calendars, timers, reminders, and apps to track progress can all be beneficial. Additionally, you can seek help from others or outsource the 80% tasks that you don't want to do. Finally, rewarding yourself for completing the 20% tasks and celebrating your achievements can also be beneficial.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Ghulam Mustafa, P.Eng., P. E., PMP Project Manager at BC Hydro
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Setting big goal:If there’s one thing that differentiates ultra-successful people from others is their attitude. Whenever it comes to setting goals, they set one big goal and work on it all the time. In fact, all the sub-tasks and short-term goals revolve around that main goal.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
- Gustavo Yepes Accountability Partner. Key Opinion Leader de la Asociación Internacional de Ventas Creador de la «Visión sistémica de la matriz de prioridades»
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Para enfocarse en el 20%, es fundamental establecer prioridades claras y eliminar distracciones. Utilizar herramientas como la matriz de prioridades y la planificación estratégica ayuda a concentrar los esfuerzos en las actividades más relevantes y de mayor impacto.
Translated
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
Load more contributions
4 What are the benefits of the 80/20 rule?
By applying the 80/20 rule to your time management, you can reap many rewards in both your personal and professional life. Increased productivity and efficiency is one such benefit, as you can focus on the tasks that have the greatest impact on your results. You can also improve quality and performance by dedicating more attention and resources to the tasks that best match your strengths and skills, which can lead to enhanced motivation and satisfaction. Finally, you can reduce stress and burnout by eliminating or delegating the tasks that take up too much of your energy and time.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Gustavo Yepes Accountability Partner. Key Opinion Leader de la Asociación Internacional de Ventas Creador de la «Visión sistémica de la matriz de prioridades»
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Los beneficios de la regla 80/20 incluyen una mayor eficiencia y productividad, ya que permite asignar recursos de manera más efectiva. Además, ayuda a identificar áreas de mejora y a optimizar el uso del tiempo y los recursos disponibles. Un beneficio adicional es que nos ayuda a vencer la procrastinación y reducir significativamente el estrés.
Translated
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
2
- Rashad Smith Operations Specialist
(edited)
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
The 80/20 rule helps individuals prioritize tasks by identifying the most impactful efforts that generate the greatest results. By focusing on this vital 20%, individuals can optimize their productivity and efficiency. This principle encourages a more strategic approach to time management, allowing individuals to achieve significant outcomes with less effort. This targeted approach enables individuals or organizations to dedicate more time, attention, and resources to improving those key areas, resulting in higher quality outcomes. The 80/20 rule enables individuals to allocate resources effectively and achieve better results in various aspects of their personal and professional lives.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
1
5 How to apply the 80/20 rule to other areas of your life?
The 80/20 rule can be applied to many aspects of your life, not just time management. You can use it to optimize your health, relationships, finances, hobbies, and more. For instance, you could eat 80% healthy and 20% indulgent foods to maintain a balanced diet. Spend 80% of your time with the 20% of people who make you happy and support you. Save or invest 80% of your income and spend 20% on your wants and needs. Learn 80% of the most useful and relevant skills and 20% of the ones that interest you. Enjoy 80% of your free time doing what you love and 20% doing what you have to. Utilizing this rule can help you make the most out of your life!
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Gustavo Yepes Accountability Partner. Key Opinion Leader de la Asociación Internacional de Ventas Creador de la «Visión sistémica de la matriz de prioridades»
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
La regla 80/20 se puede aplicar a otras áreas de la vida identificando las actividades o relaciones que generan el mayor retorno de inversión emocional, financiero o personal. En la gestión del tiempo, implica priorizar las actividades que contribuyen al crecimiento personal, profesional y al logro de metas a largo plazo.
Translated
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
3
- Ghulam Mustafa, P.Eng., P. E., PMP Project Manager at BC Hydro
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
There are many time management tools that could help you manage time effectively. I personally love and endorse ProofHub and how it helps me to make the most of my time — both personally and professionally. It could be the perfect ally for 80/20 rule of time management that could help you big time to best utilize your time.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
2
6 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
-
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Everyone's 20% is different because their personal and professional goals aren't the same. Adding an accountability partner can be a great thing so that you make sure you not only identify your leveraged tasks, but follow through with working on them. Checking in with someone can also be a time to talk about progress, discuss new ideas, and generate new paths towards meeting your goals. Maybe what you thought was a 20% task, isn't really helping you move forward. By talking with your accountability partner you're able to tweak it every so slightly for better results or generate a brand new one that works in your favor.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
Time Management
Time Management
+ Follow
Rate this article
We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great
Thanks for your feedback
Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.
Tell us more
Tell us why you didn’t like this article.
If you think something in this article goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
We appreciate you letting us know. Though we’re unable to respond directly, your feedback helps us improve this experience for everyone.
If you think this goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
More articles on Time Management
No more previous content
- Here's how you can use conflict resolution skills to manage team member conflicts
- Here's how you can delegate tasks and manage your time efficiently with confidence. 1 contribution
- Here's how you can manage time effectively when working on multiple projects through effective communication. 1 contribution
- Here's how you can master new skills through self-directed learning.
No more next content
Explore Other Skills
- Communication
- Interpersonal Skills
- Public Speaking
- Personal Branding
- Leadership Development
- Thought Leadership
- Critical Thinking
- Leadership
- Research Skills
- Executive Coaching
More relevant reading
- Manufacturing Operations You're struggling to manage your time effectively. Can emotional intelligence help?
- Time Management Here's how you can effectively balance your workload to demonstrate your readiness for a promotion.
- Personal Coaching How can personal coaches improve their clients' time management and productivity skills?
- Facilitation What do you do if you're struggling with procrastination and need to enhance your time management skills?
Help improve contributions
Mark contributions as unhelpful if you find them irrelevant or not valuable to the article. This feedback is private to you and won’t be shared publicly.
Contribution hidden for you
This feedback is never shared publicly, we’ll use it to show better contributions to everyone.