How the 80/20 Rule Can Inspire You

 

I’ve spent the past couple of months in the Life Lab (doesn’t life occur as an experiment a lot of the time?).  I’ve been re-examining all aspects of my life and business, noticing my reactions, managing my emotions and asking myself a lot of questions.

It’s all about the questions (more on that later).

Do you know the 80/20 rule?

In the 19th century, an Italian economist and sociologist, Vilfredo Pareto, noticed that 80% of the wealth in Italy was held by 20% of the population.  He then went on to demonstrate this to be true in other countries as well.  Since Pareto’s time, this rule has been found to be true in virtually any area:

• 20% of the streets handle 80% of the traffic
• 20% of the features in a product are used 80% of the time
• 20% of sales people bring in 80% of the sales
• 80% of our time is spent on 20% of the problems

The only way to really see the 80/20 rule is to step back and look at the bigger picture, the larger perspective.  When you first do this it’s mind blowing; there’s nothing quite like seeing things clearly.  Seeing the forest rather than the trees!

If you don’t know what the big picture is, how can you make decisions that will lead you to your desired outcome?

In my excitement to begin “shipping” I started this blog.  I set a date, turned off the phone and started writing.  I then spent the next 72 hours in my pajamas learning WordPress.  I took the first step and it was thrilling!

One thing was missing though:  I had no vision for the blog, no idea where I was headed or what I wanted to say.  I was stumbling through the forest, just happy that I’d found the path.

I took ts photo of a journal cover I spotted at a local bookstore (by the way, I do have a journal fetish, which I’m sure I’ll write about at some point).

But what was the big deal with this quote?  Why such an impact?

I realized that I’d started writing because I wanted to say something and because I’d been totally inspired to “ship”.

Hanging out in the Life Lab I realized that I DO have something to say. Maybe even a lot to say.

This was a huge insight that sent my Lizard Brain into a frenzy!

Lizard Brain (LB): What do you mean you’ve got something to say?

Me: Well, I just thought…I’ve got years of experience and training, I’ve helped hundreds of people…I’d like to share that in a bigger way.

LB: WHY?  Why must you continue to grow?  Why can’t you be happy? This is crazy; go to your room!

You get the picture (this conversation went on for quite a while, as conversations with LB often do).

The quote had me step back, and into the 80/20 perspective.  I was analyzing, journaling, asking friends and colleagues endless questions – about me, about my work, about my as yet undistinguished message; my something to say.

If you’ve never done this I highly recommend it; getting what the people around you think about you and your offering is priceless.

In a nutshell, here’s what I got:

I’m relentlessly curious, a life-long learner and masterful at asking questions. As one friend put it, I’m like a good hair conditioner, but instead of detangling hair I detangle thoughts.  How?  With my questions

A-ha!  Light bulb moment – my work follows the 80/20 rule:  80% of my time is spent listening, 20% talking.

For almost a decade, I’ve been making a difference as a coach.  How do I know?

My business has been built and continues to grow almost exclusively by word of mouth.  Clients, friends, colleagues – they wouldn’t keep sending referrals my way if I wasn’t doing the work that makes a difference, would they?  Not likely.

So what exactly have I been doing that’s made such difference?

I ask the right questions at the right time (my 20%).

The blinders fell away and I got the message!

Knowing my 20% I can now be that much more intentional, making sure that my actions are directly related to my goals, my goals to the message, etc.

I now have a clear message and theme, and the difference this makes is huge, and immediately calmed LB’s voice in my head.  It heard that I now have a path, I know where I’m going and all is well.

In honour of this new future, I leave you with one question and an exercise:

What’s your 20%?

• Ask yourself, “What 20 % of people or activities will bring me 80% of my results?”
• Start noticing throughout the day, “Is this an 80 or a 20?”

No matter what the situation, asking yourself the right question is always one of the best ways to move forward.

“The two most important requirements for major success are: first, being in the right place at the right time, and second, doing something about it.” ~ Ray Kroc

If you ask me, it’s also asking the right questions at the right time!