Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels, working so hard but not seeing the results you’d hoped for? Maybe you’ve poured hours into tweaking your website, endlessly scrolling social media for inspiration, or tackling an Everest-sized to-do list—all without moving the needle much. It’s time to introduce you to the Pareto Principle.
What is the Pareto Principle?
The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 Rule, is simple yet revolutionary. It says that roughly 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Sounds wild, right? But once you see it in action, you’ll realize how much time and energy you’ve been spending on the wrong things—and how much freedom and growth is waiting when you focus on the right ones.
The principle was named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who noticed that 80% of Italy’s wealth was owned by 20% of its population. Over time, people started noticing this same 80/20 split in everything—from farming (20% of seeds produce 80% of the crops) to business (20% of customers drive 80% of sales).
Now, let’s bring it home to you. What if 20% of what you do every day is responsible for 80% of your wins? And what if you could figure out what that magical 20% is—and double down on it?
Why it matters
If you’re launching your first business, you already have a lot on your plate. Life might look like balancing kids, aging parents, household responsibilities, and maybe even a full-time job while trying to grow this dream of yours. The beauty of the Pareto Principle is that it helps you work smarter, not harder, by focusing your limited time and energy where it matters most.
How to use the pareto principle in your business
Here are some practical ways to apply the 80/20 rule to your budding business:
⭐ Audit your time
Take a week to track how you’re spending your time. (You can use our worksheet) At the end of the week, ask yourself:
- Which 20% of tasks led to most of my progress?
- Which 80% felt like busywork?
You might realize that brainstorming Instagram captions for hours isn’t as impactful as reaching out to potential clients or refining your product.
⭐ Identify your top customers
If you’ve made a few sales, look closely at where those came from. Chances are, 20% of your customers or clients are responsible for 80% of your revenue. Focus on nurturing relationships with them instead of trying to market to everyone.
⭐ Refine your offer
Which part of your product or service is delivering the most value? If 80% of your customers are raving about one aspect of your work, amplify that! It could mean simplifying your offer to focus on what’s working, instead of spreading yourself thin trying to do it all.
⭐ Ditch perfectionism
Perfectionism keeps so many women stuck in the weeds. The 80/20 rule reminds us that not everything we do needs to be flawless. What’s the 20% of work that creates the most impact? Prioritize that, and let go of the rest. Progress beats perfection every time.
⭐ Say no more often
Newsflash: You don’t have to do all the things. When you know your top 20%, you can confidently say no to tasks, requests, and commitments that don’t align with your goals.
A real-life example of the 80/20 rule
Let’s say you’re starting an online coaching business. After reviewing your efforts, you notice:
- 80% of your inquiries come from just one or two Instagram posts that really resonated with your audience.
- 80% of your revenue comes from one signature coaching package, even though you’ve been offering three different options.
What’s the move? Focus on creating more content like those winning Instagram posts and refine your offer to spotlight that one killer coaching package. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing more of what works.
Final thoughts: work smarter, live freer
You don’t have to earn rest or prove your worth by being busy all the time. The Pareto Principle is an invitation to let go of overwhelm and lean into the work that truly matters. When you align your energy with your 20%, you’ll find not only success but also freedom, joy, and time to actually enjoy the business you’re building.
So, take a breath. Look at your to-do list. And ask yourself: What’s my 20% today? Then go all in on that. You’ve got this.
Let’s turn this into action!
Find your 20% that
drives 80% of results
