How to Use the 80/20 Rule to Improve Your Productivity

Improving productivity can be easier said than done. We all want to stay active throughout the day and make the most of it, but often end up achieving a lot less than expected.

Not everyone is blessed with the ability to channel uninterrupted focus and give undivided attention to the tasks at hand. Most of us are susceptible to distractions around us, especially those working remotely, and often struggle to conquer our to-do lists.

External factors are beyond your control, but there are a few things you can do that can help increase your productivity. Applying the 80/20 rule can be a great remedy.

The 80/20 rule is a growth hack used by businesses worldwide. So, it can be a viable strategy to improve your productivity. According to this rule, 80% of the results are the outcome of 20% of your efforts. So, identifying the underlying factors can help ensure your success.

Here's how you can use the 80/20 rule to improve your productivity.

Know Your Objectives

For efficient implementation of the 80/20 rule, you must first clearly define your goals and know what your objectives are. Planning is the key to success no matter what you strive to achieve as it serves as the roadmap that leads to your destination.

Without a well-thought-out plan, it's going to be difficult to translate your efforts into outcomes. So, the effective implementation of the 80/20 rule might be a challenge.

Therefore, it's essential to prepare a clear list of objectives that you want to achieve and plan your next move accordingly. This will help maximize your efficiency and steer your efforts in the right direction.

Without a plan, you'd make ad hoc decisions and engage in random tasks that may not contribute to 80% of the desired outcome.

Keep a Track of Your Time

When implementing the 80/20 rule, it's important for you to keep track of your time and assess how you spend it. Time is the most valuable asset. So, to increase your productivity, it's essential that you start utilizing it wisely.

You are your own critic. So, be honest with yourself. If you've been spending your time on unproductive activities, the first step to solving this problem is to admit that a problem exists.

It doesn't matter whether you work on-site or remotely; time management is of critical importance. However, attaining mastery over this skill is not easy. In order to manage your time efficiently, you have to be patient and consistent in your efforts.

You may not see noticeable results overnight, but in time, your efforts will surely pay off as you become able to identify your mistakes and take measures to avoid repeating them.

Identify Tasks that Encompass 20%

The core philosophy of the 80/20 rule is to prioritize tasks that represent 20% of your efforts and contribute to 80% of the desired results. So, it's important for you to identify those tasks and mark them as important on your to-do list.

For example, startup owners may have to wear multiple hats and cater to different roles in the workplace when getting started. They are not just involved in planning but also take part in execution to ensure progress.

For these professionals, 20% of their efforts that lead to 80% of the results represent operational planning and growth strategies. So, it's ideal for them to spend their time and energy prioritizing that 20% to ensure optimal gains and results in exchange for their efforts.

The same goes for you. Identify the 20% that fits your case and give it your undivided attention for optimal yield.

Avoid Obsessing Over Low-Value Tasks

If 20% of your tasks contribute to 80% of the results, then the opposite is also true. And that is 80% of the tasks you do that bring in 20% of the yield.

While all tasks on your to-do list are important, it's unwise to obsess over deliverables that generate minimal value. As a matter of fact, it's counterproductive, as you can spend your time doing things that bring you a step closer to achieving your goals.

So, it's highly recommended not to spend too much time on low-value tasks, as they minimally contribute to the desired outcome. In short, you have to up your prioritization game. And for that:

First, list all your tasks. Next, label each task with respect to its importance or the value it generates. Then, plan your schedule.

As per the 80/20 rule, 20% of your efforts produce 80% of your results. The next 20% contributes to 10% of the outcome. And for the next 20%, the percentage significantly drops to a mere 3% increase in the yield. And as you proceed forward, the percentage keeps declining.

This proves that there may even be tasks whose impact is so negligible that you can simply drop them from your to-do list and save your precious time. Decisions like these may seem odd, but they are necessary to be productive and keep the needle moving without having to overwhelm yourself.

It's a Wrap

If you've been struggling to boost your productivity and stand out from the crowd, try implementing the 80/20 rule and see if it works for you. It's a proven growth strategy used by professionals worldwide who strive to increase the yield without having to compromise on the work-life balance.