The 80/20 Principle

Notes on the 80/20 principle.

• What is it?
• How can you use it to improve your life?
• How does it link to procrastination, willpower and time management?

The Pareto principle may apply to fundraising, i.e. 20% of the donors contributing towards 80% of the total

80/20 Principle

What is it?

The 80/20 principle is the idea that 80% of effects (the outcomes and results) come from 20% of the causes (the efforts and the actions)

• 80% of software problems are caused by 20% of the bugs
• 20% of your tasks, usually the hardest and most gruelling tasks, are the things that provide 80% of your success, and are therefore incredibly important.

This principle can apply to absolutely everything, and it’s crazy when you take time to observe how the 80/20 principle is already playing out in your life, unknowingly.

Action Steps

Do the 20% that bring results.

Do the 20% of hard tasks that allow you to progress.

Dedicate yourself to the important 20% — make this your No1 priority.

If you get the important 20% done, you’ll make great progress. This is where 80% of the results come from, and so it is important that you focus most of your time and energy here.