The 80/20 Rule for Productivity

The 80/20 rule has been used by students as part of studying techniques as well as those in the workforce as a way to increase productivity throughout the day. Another name for this rule is called the Pareto Principle and the idea is that the best way to achieve the most in a day is to identify the tasks that are the most important and work backward. Following this, completing 20% of your tasks will result in an 80% impact overall. This strategy is also known as the “Pareto Principle.”

First, identify the tasks that will require working with other members of your team because you will likely need to coordinate schedules in order to achieve this goal. Then list any task that unless otherwise completed will block your progress in another area. This list will allow you to group and categorize your tasks throughout the day, and prioritize your time. 

Block Your Calendar for Success

While you are working on the 20%, it is important to schedule uninterrupted work time, meaning not receiving incoming calls or checking up on emails constantly. Jumping from one task to another leaves room for error and can result in a lower quality of work. A word of caution however is to make sure you do not completely disregard the other 80% on your list and ensure a balance between all tasks. 

Converting Your 20% to a Success List

The objective is to determine what tasks require the most attention and effort but will also result in maximum output and influence. Use of this method is also proven to result in a more focused strategy, better organization of time and space, and increased awareness of the impact of your work. For lawyers specifically, this can be applied when prioritizing client meetings, referrals, or case selection. Online work management tools are a great way to organize tasks for teams and allow you to share files and information all in one place. Next time you sit down to write your to-do list for the day, try the 80/20 rule to create a “success list” and see how much more productive you can be. 

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