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80/20 Rule

The 80/20 Rule is a powerful concept which, when applied, can add great value to ourlives both personally and professionally.

In 1896 Vilfredo Pareto observed that 80% of the wealth in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. It was soon discovered that the concept of 80/20 was far reaching. By the numbers, it is shown that 80% of outcomes result from 20% of efforts. The important thing to understand is that in life certain activities which we do (20%) account for the majority (80%) of our happiness and outputs. The numbers are not always exact, but the concept is solid.

The 80/20 Rule has application in; business, relationships, health, possessions, and much more. Business examples abound! 20% of employees are responsible for 80% of a company’s output. Interesting that often the less productive employees get much of our attention and the more productive employees are often forgotten. In sales, 20% of the customers are responsible for 80% of the revenues. These are not hard core numbers but it is important that we support and acknowledge where our ‘production’ comes from.

Relationships have many examples of the 80/20 Rule. First, a majority (80%) of our pleasure comes from a small amount (20%) of our friends and acquaintances. Second, no relationship is perfect and when the majority of our interactions (80%) are positive, we have a good relationship. Unfortunately, some people are preoccupied with the small percentage which may not be perfect. Some people may be overly critical and unforgiving. Finally, for people to feel motivated and appreciated; praise and acknowledgement needs to be dominate (80%) versus criticism (20% or less).

Wellness/fitness is achieved with 20% exercise and 80% nutrition. A balanced and healthy diet/nutrition is achieved when 80% of the time you eat well. This allows for some room for food play (20% or less).

Americans are preoccupied with possessions. We have toys, tools and clothes. A simple inventory reveals that we wear and use less than 20% of our possessions about 80% of the time. Maybe it is time to ‘tidy’ up.

By an appreciation and application of the 80/20 Rule we can enjoy greater happiness, health and success.

~ Loren D. Lasher

The Good Deed

So, it was quite hot today. I did some supermarket shopping. Walked home. It’s an under-10 minute walk for me. I was holding a few shopping bags. I was fine.

But a teen approaches me. He shows me on his phone an assignment he has from a teacher to do a hesed, a good deed, and asks if we can walk home together.

I’ll take a picture of him holding my bags, we’ll take a selfie, and he’ll be able to show his teacher that he fulfilled the assignment.

So, it was one of those things where I was heartened by his action but also insulted. I do this all the time, and acknowledging how fast I had been walking, he admitted: “You look fine; I just need to do this assignment. But wait,” he says, “here comes an older woman. She could really use the help.”

So he abandoned me. But I did not abandon him. I did a video showing the woman handing over her bags to the teen; she hugged him. And I continued the video to show them starting to walk in the direction of the woman’s home.

“See, it was good that I spotted you first,” says the teen. “You didn’t need the hesed, but instead you’ve helped with the hesed.”

~ David Jablinowitz