Don't be scared off by the name because the 80/20 rule is not about maths! It's actually about how a small amount of your actions each day are having a big impact on your results. The best part about the 80/20 rule is that if understand how it works you will also understand how it applies to you and then you can easily manipulate it to ensure you get great results! Sound good?
The 80/20 rule states that 80% of what we achieve is a direct result of 20% of the actions we take (it also applies to many other areas but they are not the focus of this article). In plain English, this means that only a very small amount of the actions we take each day create most of what we achieve (or don't achieve). The ratio does not have to be 80/20 - it may even be as high as 99/1 - but the point is simply that your major results (your 80%) are actually being dictated by a minority of your actions (your 20%).
It's not hard to understand how this rule applies to your life but let's look at a basic example which will apply to you to help you understand it. Let's think about your social life (hopefully you have one!) The reality is that you almost certainly spend 80% or more of your social time with 20% or less of the people you know. Think about it. Do you spend most of your time with a few close friends? Or you may spend 80% or more of your time sending texts, calling and chatting online with 20% or less of your contacts.
So, can we agree that 80% of what anyone achieves in life is a direct result of 20% or less of the actions they take? Good I'm glad we agree! But what's really important about this rule is how to use it to your advantage. You want to be able to exploit the rule and make it work for you don't you? So, the first tip is to focus only on the 20% areas that are impacting 80% of your results and then ignore everything else. Seems pretty obvious doesn't it? But only when you're aware of the rule.
Why? Well there is obviously no point focusing on the 80% of activities that is impacting only 20% of your results. That wouldn't make sense would it? That's totally backwards! Instead, you must address all the small areas that have the biggest impact and will maximize your performance. Do what counts. Don't worry about everything, just focus on those things that create the biggest results for you. So, what are the things that create the biggest results I hear you ask?
You're probably wondering what your 20% areas are? You probably want to know which small areas you can change that will totally transform your results? The trick is that it could be many areas - each person is different. While we can't cover them all, let's look at three areas that impact all students because there is a good chance one or all will apply to you.
Your habits are a key driver of your outcomes. If you have all the right habits (like a habit of doing two hours homework every night or a habit of always asking the teacher when you don't understand something) then you can transform your results. Your habits impact you every day and in every way. If you get home from school each day and jump straight onto Facebook or play video games that is your habit. You're not making a conscious decision each time, it's just a habit. The right habits are the biggest game changer there is. It's definitely a 20% area impacting 80% of your results.
Motivation levels are almost always a challenge. If you don't feel motivated you don't do anything. If you don't do anything there is no way you can be successful! It's not possible is it? If you feel super motivated each day (a small 20% area) then it will no doubt creates big results for you (the 80% area). Find a way to get motivated each day and you will create a massive transformation in your results.
Finally, the third most important 20% area is your memory recall ability. We all know about the importance of tests and exams and how many marks they account for and how much information students need to be able to recall. If you have great memory recall ability you will breeze through tests and exams, and if you don't you will really struggle. Your recall ability can literally make or break you. So again, we can see that a small thing (your 20%) is impacting a large portion of your schooling (your 80%).
Everyone (including you) has several small areas that are impacting the majority of their results. The most important thing for you to do is to identify what your areas are. Once you know what they are, focus hard on changing them because it is going to quickly improve your results and help you get better grades. Remember, you only need to change 2 or 3 areas in order to change your entire life so there really are no excuses. Good luck!
The 80/20 rule states that 80% of what we achieve is a direct result of 20% of the actions we take (it also applies to many other areas but they are not the focus of this article). In plain English, this means that only a very small amount of the actions we take each day create most of what we achieve (or don't achieve). The ratio does not have to be 80/20 - it may even be as high as 99/1 - but the point is simply that your major results (your 80%) are actually being dictated by a minority of your actions (your 20%).
It's not hard to understand how this rule applies to your life but let's look at a basic example which will apply to you to help you understand it. Let's think about your social life (hopefully you have one!) The reality is that you almost certainly spend 80% or more of your social time with 20% or less of the people you know. Think about it. Do you spend most of your time with a few close friends? Or you may spend 80% or more of your time sending texts, calling and chatting online with 20% or less of your contacts.
So, can we agree that 80% of what anyone achieves in life is a direct result of 20% or less of the actions they take? Good I'm glad we agree! But what's really important about this rule is how to use it to your advantage. You want to be able to exploit the rule and make it work for you don't you? So, the first tip is to focus only on the 20% areas that are impacting 80% of your results and then ignore everything else. Seems pretty obvious doesn't it? But only when you're aware of the rule.
Why? Well there is obviously no point focusing on the 80% of activities that is impacting only 20% of your results. That wouldn't make sense would it? That's totally backwards! Instead, you must address all the small areas that have the biggest impact and will maximize your performance. Do what counts. Don't worry about everything, just focus on those things that create the biggest results for you. So, what are the things that create the biggest results I hear you ask?
You're probably wondering what your 20% areas are? You probably want to know which small areas you can change that will totally transform your results? The trick is that it could be many areas - each person is different. While we can't cover them all, let's look at three areas that impact all students because there is a good chance one or all will apply to you.
Your habits are a key driver of your outcomes. If you have all the right habits (like a habit of doing two hours homework every night or a habit of always asking the teacher when you don't understand something) then you can transform your results. Your habits impact you every day and in every way. If you get home from school each day and jump straight onto Facebook or play video games that is your habit. You're not making a conscious decision each time, it's just a habit. The right habits are the biggest game changer there is. It's definitely a 20% area impacting 80% of your results.
Motivation levels are almost always a challenge. If you don't feel motivated you don't do anything. If you don't do anything there is no way you can be successful! It's not possible is it? If you feel super motivated each day (a small 20% area) then it will no doubt creates big results for you (the 80% area). Find a way to get motivated each day and you will create a massive transformation in your results.
Finally, the third most important 20% area is your memory recall ability. We all know about the importance of tests and exams and how many marks they account for and how much information students need to be able to recall. If you have great memory recall ability you will breeze through tests and exams, and if you don't you will really struggle. Your recall ability can literally make or break you. So again, we can see that a small thing (your 20%) is impacting a large portion of your schooling (your 80%).
Everyone (including you) has several small areas that are impacting the majority of their results. The most important thing for you to do is to identify what your areas are. Once you know what they are, focus hard on changing them because it is going to quickly improve your results and help you get better grades. Remember, you only need to change 2 or 3 areas in order to change your entire life so there really are no excuses. Good luck!
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