APPLYING THE PARETO PRINCIPLE INTO YOUR TIME-MANAGEMENT: Leverage Your Success by Prioritizing Your Action List

Rogers Research Global
Oct 12, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Aug 22

Written by Marie T. Rogers, MPS, Ph.D., RYT

To rise above mediocrity, you must have a solid mindset, worthy goals and a strategic time-management system.

Named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, the Pareto Principle suggests that roughly 80% of outcomes stem from just 20% of the effort. Widely applied in business and productivity, this principle offers a powerful way to identify where to focus your energy for the greatest impact.

For example,

80% of a business’ profits come from 20% of its customers or clients.
80% of a business’ profits come from 20% of its services and/or goods.

At its inception, the Pareto Principle, or more commonly known as the 80/20 rule, pertained to economics. It has since expanded to include other factors extending well beyond the business arena.

Consider how the Pareto Principle plays out in your everyday life:

80% of the time, you wear only about 20% of the total clothes in your closet.
80% of the time, you interact with only about 20% of your friends and relatives.
80% of the time, you frequent approximately only 20% of your local eateries.

So, if this is true for you, then there is a large percentage of clothes in your closet that typically go unworn, friends and family who are only occasionally interacted with, and a large majority of cafes, restaurants and other eating establishments that rarely get your business.

When analyzing this, does it make you want to donate some (or a lot) of your clothes, perhaps reach out to family and friends who typically do not get your attention or time, or visit a new dining establishment?

Decisions based on the 80/20 rule will help you refine, and sometimes better define, your life.

How you see yourself, how you spend your time, and who you hang around with matter. Let’s take this a step further and connect the 80/20 rule to your To-Do or Action list, and see how you can best implement this principle regarding time management. If 80% of your results stem from 20% of your tasks, then would it not be advantageous to clearly determine & leverage the 20%?

When viewing your list, consider the 20% of items that will yield the most rewards, as not every item is equal in its importance. Also consider that there may be actions you need to take that will advance your life in powerful ways that are currently nowhere to be found on your To-Do or Action List.

Let’s use the examples of exercising and journaling. If they are on your list, then prioritize them by moving them to the top; to the earliest part of your day. If they did not make the list, then this is a good time to include them. Let’s look at why.

By prioritizing exercising and journaling, your return on investment will be increased energy, productivity, and clarity as you go about your day.

Even by just allocating 30 minutes of exercise and 15 minutes of journaling (in which you self-reflect, embrace your gratitude and jot down your goals for the day), your 45 minutes spent here will yield dramatic results vis a vis your levels of focus for the next 8 – 10 hours.

THE 80/20 RULE IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PRIORITIZATION TOOLS YOU CAN USE TO EXTRACT THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DAY.

With your elevated energy and productivity and increased clarity and focus, you will in all likelihood experience your day as flowing smoothly as opposed to chaotic, out of control and stressed.

These two activities (consuming a small percentage of your day ) will powerfully influence your life by a much larger percentage; hence the Pareto Principle. This principle invites you to identify what feels meaningful and not just what keeps you on the perpetual hamster wheel of busy-ness! Focusing on your most fulfilling activities fuels an internal sense of purpose and joy. Ready to get started?

Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your 80/20 rule into action. Grab a pen and notepad!

1. Choose an Area of Focus

Pick one area of life or work where you're feeling overwhelmed, unfocused or underproductive—this could be your business, to-do list, relationships, health habits, or even your inbox.

2. Brain Dump Everything

List all the tasks, responsibilities, or actions you typically do in that area. Be honest and thorough. This step helps you see the full picture. Do not bypass this step!

3. Identify High-Impact Activities

Now ask:

Which of these tasks generate the biggest results or progress?
What will help make me feel accomplished or at ease?
What gains will I make if I consistently focus on these tasks?
What losses will I experience if I place these tasks on the back burner?

Circle the few (usually 2-5) items that stand out as these are likely your "vital 20%."

4. Eliminate or Delegate the Low-Impact 80%

Look at what's left. Ask yourself:

What can I stop doing with minimal consequence?
What can I delegate, automate, or batch? This step is where most of the time and energy savings happen.

5. Build Your Life Around the 20%

Plan your days, months and quarters with your high-impact actions as non-negotiables. Use time-blocking, habit stacking, or priority lists to protect these core tasks.

6. Re-Assess, Reflect, and Recalibrate

The 80/20 balance can shift over time. Revisit this process periodically to make sure you're still aligned with what matters most.

The information presented in this blog is intended for general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical/health or professional advice or treatment. As with most things in life, there isn't a magic pill or "cure-all" but there are strategies to help regain control of your life.

Dr. Marie T. Rogers is a licensed psychologist, consultant, researcher, podcaster, author, blogger, certified yoga teacher and health enthusiast who works with children, adolescents and adults in her private practice in Pompano Beach, Florida and the co-founder of Rogers Research Global (an education and consulting organization sharing pertinent information about health and wellness).

She has over 30 years of clinical experience in both the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders.

Dr. Rogers is the host of the LIFE in FOCUS podcast in which she regularly talks and writes about executive functioning, psychoneuroimmunology (mind-body-connection and the role stress plays) and mindfulness. YOU ARE INVITED TO LISTEN TO THE LIFE IN FOCUS PODCAST ON APPLE AND OTHER STREAMING DEVICES.