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THE SECRET TO A PRODUCTIVE & PURPOSEFUL DAY – the 80/20 Principle

Categories:

Career Counseling, Decision Making, Goal-setting, personal growth, success habits, Success Tips, Toolbox

A client asked me the other day – “HOW DO I STOP WASTING TIME AND FOCUS MY DAY ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS? I feel like I’m always busy but achieve nothing!”

80-20 ruleWe all struggle with this, myself included. And there are many techniques out there for getting more efficient and productive, and feeling like you’re day was a success and not a waste.

What’s worked for me? – I start every day with the 80/20 rule.

Simply stated -the 80/20 rule, discovered by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto in the early 1900s, says that 80% of your productivity comes from only 20% of your efforts.

(and that also means that 80% of your daily efforts and activity are really a waste of your energy!)

SO, HOW DO I APPLY IT??
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  1. I make a list of 10 things I can do today – five for work or business and five for my personal goals, then…

  2. I sequence and number each set of tasks from most important #1 to least #5, and circle #1 and #2

    (hint: when picking your top two tasks, pick those that will be most profitable to your business, valuable to your customers, or move you most substantially towards your personal goals!) and next…

  3. I ignore everything except for my #1 work and personal tasks – and I block time away from all distractions to get those done!!

  4. When I finish my #1 tasks I move on to my #2 tasks! – (now at the top of my lists)

That’s it! And this is extremely powerful….because even if you run out of time, you’ve accomplished the two most important tasks you have to achieve, every day!

And those two tasks are your 20% that get 80% of your results and progress toward your work and personal goals.

So try this…seriously, like right now…make your list of stuff to do today…circle your top two, number them by most important, and get started… make this a daily habit before bed, or in the morning!

And just as importantly, stop doing all those useless, busy-work tasks that are not progressing you towards your goals…because subtracting waste is the same adding value to your day and life!

~ Coach Baez

 

PS….
For those of you that actually read to this point – you’re very likely in the top 20% of those that achieve success…because you make the extra effort to finish what you start!

Extra tip, just for you –
Put a person’s name in front of each task – the person that you’re working to help by achieving this goal – it could be your boss, a coworker, a client, a friend or relative, or yourself and your kids!

Because starting tasks with a person is like your WHY to your WHAT – they’re why you try to do your best, and who the task will serve….powerful stuff! Try it.

For more productivity and success tips, check out my Get Coaching page.
If you’d like to help others succeed – considering starting your new career and Become a Coach! 

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