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You’ve probably heard of the 80/20 Rule. It’s also known as Pareto’s Principle after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto.
The 80/20 Rule has becomes a guideline in many businesses and time-management systems and it proves true across most human activities.
Whatever you are doing, approximately 80% of the benefit comes from 20% of the effort.
The 80/20 Rule
- You wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time.
- A business earns 80% of its sales from 20% of its customers.
- You spend 80% of your time with 20% of your friends.
- You use 20% of your possessions 80% of the time
- 20% of what you do brings 80% of your happiness
The 80/20 Way to Happiness
OK, I invented that last point but if you think about it, it’s true. That’s why learning and applying the 80/20 Rule can make you happier than ever before. Look at it this way:
- What makes you happy?
- Are you doing it?
- Are you doing it 20% of the time?
- Would you be happier if you did it 80% of the time?
What Makes You Happy?
Are you doing it? If not, why not?
If you’re like me, you could come up with countless excuses that make perfect sense….as long as you accept the premise that we don’t get to do what we want….or have to wait for “some day” which by definition cannot ever arrive and become today.
What Are You Doing 80% of the Time?
It’s easy to feel trapped in unsatisfying jobs, careers, relationships and even bodies that once served us but no longer do. If so, these are things you can change.
Too many of us worry about “quitting” something that is really only important to other people we are trying to please. It’s important to keep our agreements but there’s no need to stay in a college program you don’t like and provides no job prospects to please parents or your own view that you must have a college degree.
The best advice I can give anyone is “Do What You Love and Find Someone to Pay You For It.” The getting paid part might take twenty years yet doing what you love even 20% of the time keeps you on the 80/20 Way to Happiness.
Happiness is a way of being, doing what we love and moving toward what we love.
I don’t have any lists for you. You know what makes you happy! Use that as a reality check against what you are doing. I’m going to take my own advice and start doing more of it…right now.
Thanks Miriam. I’m just starting to realize that IF you live in the moment and IF you love what you’re doing (even if you’re just doing it some of the time), that that’s about as good as life gets.
Many unknown artists are role models for this- living as frugally as possible in order to have more time to do what they love.
Thank you, Anne. I love your insight about the artists.
Thank you Miriam! My method for maintaining happiness is from Bob Marley, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”! I have many concerns in life like when my children and grandchildren are struggling in some way. I diligently try to find solutions and wait patiently for them. In the meantime, I’m just happy for no reason. In the worst of times, I take 10 slow deep breaths. It’s like taking a happy pill!
Don’t Worry, Be Happy lyrics:
Here’s a little song i wrote,
you might want to sing it note for note,
don’t worry, be happy
in every life we have some trouble,
when you worry you make it double
don’t worry, be happy
dont worry be happy now
dont worry be happy
dont worry be happy
dont worry be happy
dont worry be happy
aint got no place to lay your head,
somebody came and took your bed,
don’t worry, be happy
the landlord say your rent is late,
he may have to litagate,
dont worry (small laugh) be happy,
look at me im happy,
don’t worry, be happy
i give you my phone number,
when your worried, call me,
i make you happy
don’t worry, be happy
aint got no cash, aint got no style,
aint got no gal to make you smile
but don’t worry, be happy
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/dont+worry+be+happy_20726616.html ]
cos when you worry, your face will frown,
and that will bring everybody down,
so don’t worry, be happy
don’t worry, be happy now…
don’t worry, be happy
don’t worry, be happy
don’t worry, be happy
don’t worry, be happy
now there this song i wrote
i hope you you learned it note for note
like good little children
dont worry be happy
listen to what i say
in your life expect some trouble
when you worry you make it double
dont worry be happy
be happy now
dont worry, be happy
dont worry, be happy
dont worry, be happy
dont worry, be happy
dont worry
dont worry be happy
don’t worry, don’t worry, don’t do it,
be happy,put a smile on your face,
don’t bring everybody down like this
don’t worry, it will soon pass whatever it is,
don’t worry, be happy,
i’m not worried
Thank you, Jewels, now I have the happy song running in my head for the rest of the day!
i think we stressed 80% of the time and 20% are used for driving/sleeping
Now that made me laugh, Maria!