Pareto principle (80/20 rule) explained
80/20 is a rule of thumb, not a law of nature. The real split might be 70/30 or 90/10. The useful question is: which few things matter most here?
In productivity, it means finding the tasks, clients or habits that drive most of your results and giving them more of your time.
Try it today
- List the outcomes you care about this month.
- Mark the few activities that produced most of them last month.
- Do more of those and cut or delegate some of the rest.
Where it comes from
Quality expert Joseph M. Juran named the principle after economist Vilfredo Pareto, who had observed that about 80% of land in Italy was owned by 20% of the people. Juran later called the naming a mistake, but the name stuck.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Pareto principle?
- The Pareto principle, or 80/20 rule, is the observation that a small share of causes often produces most of the results, for example 20% of tasks creating 80% of the value.
- Where does the Pareto principle come from?
- Quality expert Joseph M. Juran named the principle after economist Vilfredo Pareto, who had observed that about 80% of land in Italy was owned by 20% of the people. Juran later called the naming a mistake, but the name stuck.
- How do I start with the Pareto principle?
- List the outcomes you care about this month. Mark the few activities that produced most of them last month. Do more of those and cut or delegate some of the rest.
- Which tools help with the Pareto principle?
- Tools in our directory that help include Toggl Track, Notion, Rize, Airtable. Each has its own page with pricing, pros and cons.