The Pareto Principle

We all have a to-do list, be it mental or in writing.  For many of us the list is quite extensive.  So how do you tackle your to-do list?  Do you start with the things that take the least time, the items that are most urgent, or the things that will bring the most impact?  No doubt you have heard of the Pareto Principle, more commonly called the 80/20 rule.  It goes something like this, 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.  When applied to your to-do list, that means 20% of the items on your list, will produce 80% of your results.  That should make you look at your to-do list in a whole new light.  So instead of sorting your list by due-date, importance, or duration, sort it by the impact or results of completing that task.  Once you do that, the top 20% of that list you should own, it’s yours, focus on it.  The other 80% should be delegated, eliminated, or postponed. 

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