Less is More: Pulling the Right Levers

We all want to live a fulfilling life and be successful.

But unfortunately, in today’s age, that has come to mean juggling countless tasks and striving to do it all.

It’s super hard not to think that you have to do everything and then some in order to achieve success, especially when we’re surrounded by hustle culture chads and Gary Vee wantrepeneurs.

We already know that this mindset is dangerous and counterproductive, yet somehow we still find ourselves either buying into it to some degree or feeling guilty about not doing more.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m a strong believer in hard work. But not all hard work is created equal.

And society doesn’t put enough emphasis on which work we’re diligent about, or how immensely beneficial it is to say no to things that ultimately don’t matter.

Success and fulfillment are less about doing all the things and more about doing the right things.

🔬 What the Science Says

Enter the Pareto Principle, where a mere 20% of your efforts generate 80% of your outcomes.

It's the ultimate life hack – focusing on the vital few rather than the trivial many.

In relationships, at work, and beyond, identifying and maximizing this crucial 20% can be your game-changer.

Scientifically known as the Pareto Principle, this concept has roots in various fields.

From economics to human behavior, it consistently reveals that a small portion of input leads to the majority of results.

80% of your customer complaints are generated by 20% of the issues.

80% of software bugs are caused by 20% of the bugs.

80% of web traffic comes from 20% of their content.

80% of your productivity comes from only 20% of your tasks.

80% of your portfolio returns come from 20% of the investments.

Now…obviously the 80-20 rule isn’t meant to be an exact measurement.

Don’t get caught up in the details here. The idea is to get you to start identifying the vital percentage—the smallest fraction that has the biggest impact.

Internalize this idea, and you’ll start recognizing it everywhere.

It's not about doing everything; it's about pinpointing and amplifying the most impactful efforts.

🚀 Take Action

Start leveraging the 80-20 rule today.

1. Reflect on your Inputs and their Outcomes

Identify the activities bringing the most value to your life.

Pinpoint the moments in your workweek where your efforts yield the highest returns.

2. Trim the Excess

Before you engage in anything, ask yourself—does this fall in the 80% bucket or the 20% bucket?

Eliminate activities that don't have a meaningful impact or align with your goals and values.

It’s amazing how much unimportant nonsense we fill our day with when we’re not conscious of this.

3. Invest in What Matters

Allocate more time and energy to the activities in your vital 20%.

Obsess over pouring your time in this bucket across all facets of your life.

Watch as your effectiveness and fulfillment soar.

4. Adapt and Refine

Life is dynamic; regularly reassess your priorities.

You’ll inevitably fall back into your old habits. We all do.

So put systems in place to keep you conscious of your vital 20%. It’s how we react to these setbacks that determines our success.

Keep score. Start your morning every day by writing down your plan and ensuring you’re not filling your day with any of that 80% nonsense.

Start seeing less as a good thing.

In a world of endless possibilities and demands, remember that your success and fulfillment aren't measured by the sheer volume of tasks you accomplish.

It's about strategically focusing your efforts for maximum impact.

Don’t pull all the levers. Pull the right levers.