Have you ever noticed how a small portion of your efforts seem to produce the biggest wins? That’s not a coincidence it’s a principle. The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 Rule, suggests that 80% of outcomes often come from just 20% of the input.
This idea came from Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed in the late 1800s that 80% of Italy’s land was owned by 20% of the population. Since then, the principle has shown up in almost every field from economics to productivity to business.
In a business context, the 80/20 rule shows up everywhere:
- 80% of your revenue might come from 20% of your customers.
- 80% of your sales might come from 20% of your products.
- 80% of complaints may stem from 20% of the issues.
The beauty of the Pareto Principle is that it gives you permission to focus. You don’t have to do everything. You just need to find the vital few tasks, clients, or strategies that make the biggest difference and double down on those.
Let’s say you’re running a marketing agency. If you look closely, you might find that a handful of clients not only pay the most but also require the least hand-holding. Instead of spreading yourself thin chasing every lead, imagine what could happen if you invested more in nurturing that top 20%. The impact would be exponential.
Of course, the numbers aren’t always perfectly 80/20 but the idea still holds: not all efforts are created equal.
When you apply this principle thoughtfully, it can transform how you prioritize, delegate, and grow. Less stress. More impact.
So the question is: What’s your 20%?
Find it. Focus on it. And let the rest fall into place.