The 80/20 Rule For Time Management

Hello, dear one!

Do you wish you have more time in a day to accomplish more? Are you feeling restless sometimes because of a lack of time?

Relax. You’re not alone.

Let the 80/20 rule bring you a new perspective!

You probably have heard of the 80/20 rule in every business management. Do you know that this rule originated from the Pareto Principle?

In the late 19th century, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto discovered this finding while growing the pea pods in his garden.

Pareto noticed that 80 percent of the pea pod harvest came from 20 percent of pea plants. Based on this calculation, as an economist, Pareto forecasted that 20 percent of Italians owned 80 percent of the country’s wealth. 

However, Pareto’s observation didn’t gain its notoriety until Dr. Joseph Juran successfully applied its 80/20 rule to help improve business productivity in the 1940s. 

Dr. Juran identified that 80 percent of a company’s product defects were caused by 20 percent of the methods in the production. 

By focusing on reducing the 20 percent problems, a company could increase its 80 percent of productivity. 

Thus, Dr. Juran became the Father Of Quality in modern production with his famous business trilogy: Quality of control, quality of planning, and quality of improvement. 

Most importantly, Dr. Juran introduced the concept of the Pareto Principle to the world. 

Now, back to time management. 

How can you apply the Pareto Principle to your everyday time management?

How often do you hear people say, “Oh, I’m busy?” What are they busy doing? Are they busy investing the 20 percent of the time that will generate 80 percent of results?

When you’re with your children or pets, what are the 20 percent of activities that will bring you 80% of joyful memories and effective guidance?

When you’re at work, what top 20 percent of tasks will lead you to 80 percent of the desired outcome?

When you’re on social media with family and friends, what percentage of them have helped serve you and grow you?

If you have a “to-do” list of ten items for a day, which items will improve the quality of your life now and in the future?

It’s easy to fill the days with meaningless trivia. That’s why the story of two sisters in the Bible, Mary, and Martha, has been a staple for teaching time management.

Jesus befriended both sisters and visited them on this day while in town.

At the same hour, they each possessed, Martha and Mary made their choices.

Martha buried herself in food preparation to show hospitality to Jesus. While distracted in her chosen activity, she complained about the overwhelming kitchen work. 

Meanwhile, Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet listening to what he said (Luke 10:39). In the same time frame, Mary recognized that Jesus’ teaching was more important and seized the moment to learn the knowledge which would elevate her life irrevocably. 

When Martha complained to Jesus about Mary not helping her, he taught her, “You’re worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:41)” 

What was Jesus saying? Instead of getting distracted with multitasks, choose to focus on one thing at this moment. The one right thing you choose now begets the better thing tomorrow. 

Martha’s meals came and went, but the knowledge Mary acquired from Jesus was invaluable. During the same hour, Jesus was in their house, Martha missed all his teachings and remained where she was, but Mary invested in becoming a better version of herself. 

Now you know the Pareto Principle or the 80/20 rule, what will you do when you’re pressed with many tasks and feeling overwhelmed?

It may be helpful to ask yourself: What do I want as an end? What I choose now, will it bring me closer or further away from my desired result?

Picture your action or lack of it as your money transaction to your bank account. You’re now either depositing or debiting in your life’s account for tomorrow.

The good news? You can always choose your future NOW. 

It sounds so elementary, but you’ll be surprised at how much time people waste to “be right,” instead of doing the right things with the right people at the right moment. 

You either get serious about living your life, or someone else will decide for you to exist or exit!