The 80/20 Rule (sometimes called the Pareto Principle) suggests that in general:

- 80% of outputs result from 20% of inputs
- 80% of consequences result from 20% of causes
- 80% of results come from 20% of efforts.

This rule is demonstrable in work situations, but also in many life situations -- for instance, most of us wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time, 80% of traffic jams occur on 20% of our roads, 20% of motorists cause 80% of accidents.

What are the implications of this rule for those of us working for social and environmental change?

Well, it points out the importance of identifying high-yield actions, and directing resources towards them.

We can use this principle as a tool by identifying those minority of efforts that are creating the most results, and the majority of our efforts that are producing few results. The challenge is then to increase the high-results-producing activities, and cut back or eliminate much of the rest.

This rule suggests that we will increase our productivity and impact if we:

- Celebrate exceptional productivity rather than rasie average results

- Strive for excellence in a few things, rather than good performance in many

- Delegate as much as possible

- Calm down, work less, and target a limited number of valuable goals where the 80/20 principle will work for you -- rather than pursuing every available opportunity.