Saving time: benefitting from the "80-20 rule"

Most of us have too much to do and too little time to do it in. May I suggest a tool and technique that can help in this regard: the 80-20 rule?

I first learned about this principle years ago, from a book by consultant Alan Lakein, entitled How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life. He gave examples of this principle, such as

• 80% of a company's business comes from 20% of its customers
• 80% of a company's complaints from from 20% of its customers
• 80% of a company's sales comes from 20% of its product line

I could go on, but I think you get the point: A small number of "things" exerts a high degree of influence.

How does this principle apply to you? Think about all of your assignments. Chances are, a small number of them have the biggest impact on your job. So, to maximize your effectiveness, focus first on those 20% of things that bring 80% of benefit, not the other way around. Notice, I didn't say to IGNORE that other 80%, just to give first priority to the "big 20%" first.