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E-Quipped to... Focus on the Things That Really Matter!

This newsletter refers to ‘Pareto’s Principle (The 80/20 Rule)’, a comprehensive article found on my website.

Statistics (and common knowledge) show that most of us don’t stick to our New Year’s resolutions. Come the end of the year we are not as fit as we intended to be nor the weight we wanted to be, we have not achieved all our goals and we have not spent as much time as we planned with family and friends.

Why is this? Of course there are many reasons that play a part in our failing to fulfil our resolutions, but one of them is the fact that as we rush through our busy lives we get caught up with the less important matters and forget to focus on the things that really count.

Applying Pareto’s Principle is one way to ensure that this year you have time to focus on significant issues and achieve your resolutions.  

What is Pareto’s Principle?

The Pareto Principle or 80/20 Rule states that, in most areas in life, 20 percent of invested input is responsible for 80 percent of the results obtained. Put another way, 80 percent of effects or consequences come from 20 percent of the causes.

You can apply the 80/20 rule to almost anything, from manufacturing, management and human resources to the physical world. For example:

• 80 percent of a company's profits come from 20 percent of its customers
• 20 percent of clothes in a wardrobe are worn 80 percent of the time
• 20 percent of the tools in a toolbox are used in 80 percent of tasks
• Microsoft noted that by fixing the top 20 percent of the most-reported bugs, 80 percent of the related errors and crashes in a given system would be eliminated

For a more detailed explanation of Pareto’s Principle read: Pareto’s Principle (The 80/20 Rule)

How Can Pareto’s Principle help YOU?

The value of the Pareto Principle lies in reminding you to focus 80 percent of your time and energy on the 20 percent that really matters.

If we apply Pareto’s Principle to all of the tasks we perform throughout a day, we will realise that only 20 percent really matter. Those tasks in the 20 percent will most likely produce 80 percent of our results, so it is critical that we identify and focus on those things. Don't just ‘work smart’ – work smart on the right things.

As you rush about your day trying to crisis manage and complete all the tasks set, remind yourself of the critical 20 percent you need to focus on to achieve your resolutions and if anything in the list of activities and action items has to fall by the wayside be sure it isn’t one of the critical 20 percent.

Put in only the amount of effort needed to get impact from your exertion - it’s usually the first 20 percent (or 10 percent, or 30 percent — the exact amount can vary). For example:

• Rather than spending three hours reading three articles in detail (which may prove not be relevant to you), spend 5 minutes glancing through 12 articles (1 hour) and then spend an hour each on the two most relevant ones.
• Instead of agonizing for three hours on a single design, make 6 layouts (30 minutes each) and pick your favourite.
• DIY can be made more efficient if the 20 percent of tools that are used for 80 percent of tasks are organized to be the most accessible in the toolbox.
• If sportsmen and women focus 80 percent of their time and energy on the practice and training that really makes a difference, they will have more time to spend with family and friends.

For more examples of how the Pareto Principle can help YOU read: Pareto’s Principle (The 80/20 Rule)

Wishing you all the best for 2015!

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About These Newsletters

You may have been forwarded this email by a friend. In that case, allow me to introduce myself. I am a psychologist, speaker, trainer, coach and hat lover based in Durban, South Africa.

My goal is to inspire you to make the changes necessary to live the life of your dreams! I believe that by developing your YOU-Q - the term I have created to describe your unique intelligence, creativity and wisdom - you can find your Inner winner and live a Be-YOU-tiful life right now.

On my website you'll find more ideas to get you thinking about life, love, work and other important STUFF.

Contact me for more information or visit the website:

+27 82 491 1136
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