How can you use the 80/20 rule to optimize your performance?

1 Identify your priorities

The first step is to identify what are the most important tasks, projects, or goals that you want to achieve in your career. These are the 20% that will generate 80% of your value, satisfaction, and growth. You can use various criteria to prioritize your activities, such as urgency, impact, alignment, or interest. For example, you might want to focus on the tasks that have the most influence on your performance review, or the projects that align with your long-term vision, or the skills that interest you the most.

2 Eliminate or delegate distractions

The next step is to eliminate or delegate the 80% of the activities that are not essential, productive, or rewarding for your career. These are the distractions that consume your time, energy, and attention, but do not contribute much to your results. You can use tools such as the Eisenhower matrix, the ABCDE method, or the Kanban board to categorize your tasks into four quadrants: do, decide, delegate, or delete. For example, you might want to delete the tasks that are neither urgent nor important, or delegate the tasks that are urgent but not important.

3 Allocate your resources wisely

The third step is to allocate your resources wisely to the 20% of the activities that matter most for your career. These resources include your time, energy, attention, money, and tools. You can use techniques such as time blocking, batching, pomodoro, or deep work to schedule and focus on your priority tasks. You can also use strategies such as the circadian rhythm, the ultradian rhythm, or the peak-end rule to optimize your energy levels and mood. For example, you might want to work on your most important tasks during your peak hours, or end your day with a positive note.

4 Review and refine your process

The fourth step is to review and refine your process regularly to ensure that you are applying the 80/20 rule effectively and efficiently. You can use methods such as the SMART framework, the OKR framework, or the PDCA cycle to set, track, and evaluate your goals and actions. You can also use tools such as the journal, the feedback, or the dashboard to monitor and measure your progress and performance. For example, you might want to review your priorities weekly, or ask for feedback monthly, or update your dashboard quarterly.

5 Learn and grow continuously

The fifth step is to learn and grow continuously from your experience and experiments with the 80/20 rule. You can use models such as the growth mindset, the learning cycle, or the 70-20-10 rule to foster a culture of learning and improvement in your career. You can also use resources such as the books, the podcasts, or the courses to expand your knowledge and skills. For example, you might want to read a book that relates to your priority goal, or listen to a podcast that inspires you, or take a course that challenges you.

6 Celebrate and share your success

The sixth step is to celebrate and share your success with the 80/20 rule. You can use practices such as the gratitude, the recognition, or the reward to acknowledge and appreciate your achievements and efforts. You can also use platforms such as the blog, the social media, or the portfolio to showcase and share your results and learnings. For example, you might want to write a thank-you note to someone who helped you, or post a testimonial on LinkedIn, or update your resume with your accomplishments.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?