The 80/20 rule says 80% of the output comes from 20% of the input.
It’s also known as the Pareto Principle, after Vilfredo Pareto, who noticed that 80% of the peas in his garden came from 20% of the pods. He then went on to research how this 80/20 relationship can we found in many other places (e.g., 80% of the work is done by 20% of the employees, 80% of road accidents are caused by 20% of drivers, etc.).
The 80/20 rule is often used to optimise: how do I get the maximum impact for the minimum input?
However, I’ve recently been experimenting with the 80/20 rule as a “slow down” mechanism. What do I mean by this?
When I’m commuting by bike, I usually try get to my destination as quickly as possible, even though I sometimes I get stressed because travelling at higher speeds is more dangerous. Recently, however, I started travelling at 80% of my normal speed. The journey takes a little longer, but the pleasure of the ride increases by an order of magnitude.
Similarly, I now try and stop eating when I’m 80% full—adopting a “never hungry, never full” approach to nutrition. This helps me feel lighter and more alert. And on the odd occasion when I’ve overeaten, I’ve felt horrible and my body has immediately started craving for a more tempered amount.
I’m still a big fan of using the 80/20 principle to optimise, but it’s also a helpful tool to help us slow down and get more enjoyment out of our daily activities.