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The newsletter that provides actionable life lessons to a wealthier, healthier, and happier future.

The 80/20 Rule: How to Get More from Less

If you feel like you're constantly busy but not really moving forward, you’re not alone.

Most of us spend time on things that don’t actually matter while ignoring the small actions that make the biggest impact.

Imagine this: You start your day with a long list of tasks replying to emails, organizing files, and scrolling through social media. By the afternoon, your energy is drained, and you haven’t made real progress on your most important goal.

Now, picture two batteries: One is nearly empty (20% charged), and the other is full (80% charged). When you spend most of your energy on low-impact tasks (the drained battery), you feel productive but you haven’t actually been truly effective.

However, if you channel your focus into a high-impact task such as preparing for a big client presentation, strategizing for your business, or writing that important report, your energy is used efficiently, just like the fully charged battery.

So that’s where the 80/20 rule(Pareto Principle) comes in.

The 80/20 rule states that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts.

Instead of working harder, this rule helps you work smarter by identifying the high-impact actions that truly move the needle.

Think of it like this:
👉 80% of your fitness results come from 20% of your workout routine.
👉 80% of your work success comes from 20% of the tasks you do.
👉 80% of your happiness comes from 20% of the people in your life.

So instead of trying to do everything, focus on the key 20% of tasks that drives real results.

How to Apply the 80/20 Rule in Everyday Life

1. Productivity: Work Smarter, Not Harder

• Write down everything you do at work in a day.

• Identify/circle the 20% of tasks that create 80% of your success.

• Prioritize those tasks and eliminate or delegate the rest.

2. Fitness & Health: Get Maximum Results with Minimum Effort

• Find 1-2 key habits that bring the best results (e.g., eating whole foods, strength training).

• Drop the fancy stuff and stay consistent with the basics.

• Focus on 7-9 hours of sleep—it boosts everything.

3. Relationships: Choose Quality Over Quantity

• Identify the people who energize you and support your goals.

• Spend more time with them and less time with people who drain you.

4. Money & Wealth: Focus on What Actually Grows Your Income

• Identify 1 high-impact financial move (e.g., negotiating a raise, learning a new skill).

• Take 1 action today toward that goal.

People fill their mind with tasks to feel “busy”, rather than being effective.

Just think about that for a minute, busy vs effective. There is a huge difference!

Another strategy for becoming more effective this is “eat that frog” which I’ve covered in a previous edition of this newsletter. Feel free to check it out!

I always share the podcasts that I save to my “best episodes” playlist.

In this episode, Steven interviews Daniel Priestley, an award-winning serial entrepreneur renowned for his expertise in personal branding and entrepreneurship.

Daniel delves into the challenges individuals face in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

He emphasizes the importance of acquiring new skills to thrive, focusing on areas such as effective communication strategies. He speaks about how building a personal brand is a key way to navigate your way to financial freedom.

Daniel introduces the concept of the "7-11-4 hack," a framework designed to build trust and build authority online. Here’s how it works:

🔹7 hours – People need to spend about seven hours consuming your content before they feel comfortable buying from you. That could be through videos, blogs, podcasts, or even just binge-watching your social media posts.

🔹 11 touchpoints – Your audience should interact with you at least 11 times, whether that’s seeing your posts, reading an email, joining a webinar, or even DMing you. The more familiar they are with you, the more they trust you.

🔹 4 platforms – Those interactions should happen across four different platforms. Think Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, email, your website, etc. This way, your audience sees you in different spaces, reinforcing your credibility.

The big takeaway?

People don’t buy from strangers; they buy from those they trust. 

By implementing the 7-11-4 strategy, you can effectively establish a strong personal brand. Daniel's insights provide a roadmap for leveraging personal branding as a powerful tool for success.

I know this may not be for everyone but it is something worth considering.

Talent is flashy, it shows up once, wows the crowd, and disappears. But reliability? That’s the quiet force that builds empires.

The naturally gifted might have a moment of brilliance, but the person who keeps showing up, regardless of the situation, is bound for ultimate fulfillment and success.

You don’t have to be the biggest, the smartest, or the most talented. What truly sets you apart is consistency.

If you keep showing up for yourself, for your goals, for others, you’re already ahead of 99% of people.

No one has ever had anything bad to say about putting down the bottle.

In August of 2024, I set myself a goal of cutting alcohol out of my life for six months. This week I hit that goal.

This is not a post to boast or to tell you to stop drinking. The benefits not drinking alcohol are fairly obvious and widely discussed online.

I will say this though, the longer I am sober, the more I realize it is one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

It really has been a life changing experience for me.

Whether you have tried or are trying to quit, or whether you have a healthy relationship with alcohol but want to have a break, this video is for you.

Clark has been sober for more than 1000 days and in this video he breaks down all of the benefits of not drinking.

Check it out and let me know if it something you have tried or are going to give a go.

Ambitious Question

What 20% of your daily activities bring you 80% of your happiness and success?

Double down on them!

In case you missed last week's newsletter, I spoke about:

TEACH: Anti-Goals: Focus on what to avoid to prevent burnout and stay on track. Set three Anti-Goals for February to help achieve your main goal.

INSIGHTS: Stop Booing Yourself Off Stage: What seems ordinary to you could be extraordinary to someone else. Take action and overcome the fear of judgment.

MOTIVATION: The Father of Advertising: Practice what you preach. Show up and follow through on your commitments.

EXPLORE: Think Day: Set aside time each month to reflect and realign with your goals. Use prompts to assess your progress and adjust your direction.

Ambitious Question: If you could write a guidebook for avoiding your personal pitfalls, what would the first chapter be about?

Check it out here.

Feel free to share this if you gained any value from it. Feedback is also welcome.

THANKS FOR READING LEGENDS!