What is the 80/20 rule with an example?

Asked by: Bernie Moen  |  Last update: June 26, 2025
Score: 5/5 (34 votes)

The 80/20 rule is not a formal mathematical equation, but more a generalized phenomenon that can be observed in economics, business, time management, and even sports. General examples of the Pareto principle: 20% of a plant contains 80% of the fruit. 80% of a company's profits come from 20% of customers.

What is the 80-20 rule in simple terms?

Simply put, the 80/20 rule states that the relationship between input and output is rarely, if ever, balanced. When applied to work, it means that approximately 20 percent of your efforts produce 80 percent of the results.

What is the 80-20 rule in real life?

The 80-20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, is a familiar saying that asserts that 80% of outcomes (or outputs) result from 20% of all causes (or inputs) for any given event. In business, a goal of the 80-20 rule is to identify inputs that are potentially the most productive and make them the priority.

What are the flaws of the 80-20 rule?

In project management, this principle may suggest that 80% of the project's success comes from 20% of the project tasks. However, this approach can be flawed as it may overlook the importance of other project tasks that may not fall within the 20% threshold but still significantly impact the project's success.

What is the 80-20 rule in relationships examples?

Here are some examples: 80% of your results come from 20% of your activities. Prioritize. 80% of people don't care about your problems. 19.99% are happy that you have them. There are few people out there that really love you and will stay with you when the storm comes.

Pareto Principle [The 80/20 Rule Explained]

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What is the 80 20 rule in dating?

If you're single and in the dating pool, it's easy to get stuck in the trap of looking for the perfect person. However, keep the 80/20 rule in mind: as long as you find someone who meets around 80% of your needs, then you can do the other 20% by yourself.

What is the 70 30 rule in a relationship?

This means that, ideally, you should spend 70% of your time together and 30% of your time apart. During the time apart, you do you.

What is the most productive way to apply the 80-20 rule?

Productivity. You can use the 80/20 rule to prioritize the tasks that you need to get done during the day. The idea is that out of your entire task list, completing 20% of those tasks will result in 80% of the impact you can create for that day.

What is the 80-20 30 tip credit?

The updated rule, sometimes called the 80/20/30 rule, only allowed employers to pay their employees the subminimum wage (or federal tip credit of $2.13 per hour) to supplement earned gratuities while workers were performing tip-earning tasks.

Which statement best describes the 80-20 rule?

The 80/20 Rule (also known as the Pareto principle or the law of the vital few & trivial many) states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

What is the 80-20 rule of life?

The 80-20 rule is the principle that 20% of what you do results in 80% of your outcomes. Put another way, 80% of your outcomes result from just 20% of your inputs. Also known as the Pareto principle, the 80-20 rule is a timeless maxim that's all about focus.

What is the opposite of the 80-20 rule?

Notice that attention to detail works the opposite of the 80/20 rule. It says to focus on the last few percent, so I call it the 20/80 rule, or the 10/90 rule. I'm not saying to drop the 80/20 rule. I'm saying it applies in some situations.

What is the 80-20 mindset?

The Pareto Principle posits that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes and works in many systems and scenarios. It's not a perfect concept, and doesn't apply rigidly to every situation, but try it and you might see a pattern that will guide your decisions and actions in a better direction.

How do you use 80 20 rule in life?

How to use the 80/20 rule
  1. Examine all of your daily or weekly tasks.
  2. Prioritize your most important tasks.
  3. Identify the tasks that offer the greatest return.
  4. Brainstorm how to delegate or remove tasks that give less return.
  5. Make a plan that outlines time and resources versus prioritized tasks.

What does 80 20 rule look like?

The 80/20 rule is super simple: you focus on eating healthy foods 80% of the time and allow yourself to indulge in not-so-healthy foods for the remaining 20%. It's all about striking a balance—getting your body the nutrition it needs while still enjoying your favorite treats without feeling guilty.

What is the 80/20 rule for decluttering?

The 80/20 rule states that we use and wear 20% of our things about 80% of the time. I know in my own life, I often wear my favorite few articles of clothing on a very regular basis while so many other items go unworn month after month.

What is the new 80 20 rule?

The 80/20 Rule generally requires insurance companies to spend at least 80% of the money they take in from premiums on health care costs and quality improvement activities. The other 20% can go to administrative, overhead, and marketing costs.

Is tip credit considered income?

The FICA (Federal Insurance Contribution Act) tip credit is a benefit that employers in the food, drink, and service business can take advantage of. For instance, restaurant employers are required to report the tips patrons give their employees every year because they are considered income under FICA.

What are real examples of the 80/20 rule?

Project Managers know that 20 percent of the work (the first 10 percent and the last 10 percent) consume 80 percent of the time and resources. Other examples you may have encountered: 80% of our revenues are generated by 20% of our customers. 80% of our complaints come from 20% of our customers.

What is the 80/20 rule for weight loss?

The 80/20 rule diet encourages followers to eat a healthy, balanced diet designed to meet their goals for 80 per cent of the time while allowing them to enjoy some of their favourite foods, in moderation, for the remaining 20 per cent.

How do you use the 80-20 rule to manage time effectively?

Tips for Using Pareto Principle in Time Management
  1. Identify the 20% of tasks that will deliver 80% of your desired outcomes.
  2. Identify active hours and try to remain focused when you are most productive.
  3. Time blocks important tasks. ...
  4. Look for ways to improve in key areas while building your expertise and authority.

What is the 2 2 2 rule in relationships?

The 2-2-2 rule is a relationship strategy designed to help couples maintain closeness by creating regular moments of connection. The concept is simple: every two weeks, go on a date; every two months, plan a weekend getaway; and every two years, go on a longer trip together.

How much alone time is healthy?

The amount of alone time you need each day can vary based on your personal needs and lifestyle. Start with 30–60 minutes a day for activities like reading, meditating, or simply sitting quietly. Listen to your body and mind — if you feel refreshed and recharged after your alone time, you're likely getting enough.

What is codependency in a marriage?

Codependency, also known as relationship addiction, takes place when one person believes it's their job to “save” another person by attending to all of their needs. A codependent person builds their identity around this purpose and takes on a self-sacrificial role in the relationship.