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We end up giving the least time to life's most meaningful activities;use the
80-20 life principle to focus and change your life for the better.
DO you often feel that there are not enough hours in the day to do all that
you really want to do Do you wish you could stretch a day both sides so you
can pack in more than you do in 24 hours Exasperated by the busy buzz of
Delhi,a visiting friend from a calmer clime exclaimed,Oh God,these people are
so busy! They are too busy to work,too busy to enjoy,too busy to live! I
laughed at the image,but stopped short at the thought.If we are not
working,not living,and not even enjoying life,what are we busy doing We are
all busy trying to make the most of every opportunity available,without
stopping to think of what is relevant!
When I suggested to a leading industrialist that his acute powers of
observation and eye for detail would make him a good writer,he replied,I
know,but one has to decide what to focus time and energy on;we cant do
everything we are good at! Words of wisdom,the kind that keep you thinking of
long after.There are many things we may like to do,many we may be good at,but
does it make sense to spread ourselves out thin trying to do all Or should
one focus on the one or two things one is best at
In a way,the 80-20 principle,or Law of the vital few can be effectively
applied to our lives,helping us live out the most vital and enriched portions
fully.Be it at work,relationships,entertainment or our own evolution,the
80-20 principle,which states that 80 per cent of the results come from 20 per
cent of the efforts,applies perfectly! It was Italian economist Vilfredo
Pareto who stated that 80 per cent of the land in Italy was owned by 20 per
cent people.He also established that 20 per cent of the pea pods in his
garden contained 80 per cent peas! It is a common principle of business that
80 per cent sales come from 20 per cent clients,as do complaints;and also 80
per cent gains come from 20 per cent products.This principle can be further
extended to embrace all areas of life,and be used as a life principle.
Think about it.You will realise that of the entire day at office,the major
chunk of work you managed to complete would have been done in roughly 20 per
cent of the time! Of all the things you did in a day,only a few would have
given you satisfaction.Of all your friends and contacts,you mostly interact
with just about 20 per cent.Of the people you meet,you really enjoy the
company of a very few.In a relationship,you mostly create a handful of
memorable moments!
Wouldnt it make sense to focus on the few meaningful activities and eliminate
the rest It would certainly make for a more meaningful and enjoyable life!
Instead of reciting a thousand prayers,focus on the one that gives you most
peace;instead of reading 100 books,focus on and re-read the 10 you find most
value in.In an entire book,learn to read the 20 per cent that gives you true
value.Keep the few things that get used most of the time;throw away the
rest.Invest time to learn the tools and hone the skills you use most of the
time,rather than trying to learn it all! Work hard on the few relationships
that matter and even within those,work on enhancing the very few memorable
moments.
How does one get to an understanding of the 20 per cent that needs focus
Easy.Get an idea of the few things that mean most to you and then devote your
time and energy to them! What means most to you in life
money,love,family,friends,music,reading,writing,creating things or consuming
them Think of what you enjoy most,what makes you most happy and leaves you
with a feeling of well-being.As businessman and author of the 80/20
series,Richard Koch explains,what would be most meaningful will be something
unique to you and more often than not,something that creates value for others
as well,since it is in recognition and creating value that happiness and
satisfaction lie!
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