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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Living the 80/20 Way summary
Work Less, Worry Less, Succeed More, Enjoy More
13 mins
Brief summary
Living the 80/20 Way by Richard Koch explains how to apply the Pareto Principle to daily life for maximum efficiency. By focusing on the 20% of inputs that lead to 80% of outputs, readers can achieve more while doing less.
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Living the 80/20 Way
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Key idea 1 of 6
Working all day, every day makes you less productive. To achieve more, you need to do less.
Some 50 years ago, computers could do little in terms of processing, yet were massive machines. But today we carry incredibly powerful computers around in our pockets!
The story of how computers evolved matches a wider trend in human activity: doing more with less. And in fact, the history of agriculture followed a similar path.
More than 300 years ago, close to 98 percent of the labor force worked in the fields, harvesting food. Due to technological advances, today in developed countries only 2 to 3 percent of the working population is involved with agriculture. And yet we grow and harvest more food than ever!
This is the driving force behind the 80/20 principle: the best 20 percent of our efforts produce 80 percent of the results. And by applying this principle everywhere, we can transform our lives.
We tend to believe that if we spend as much time as possible working, we’ll be the most productive. Yet if you apply the 80/20 principle, you would realize that the best way to achieve more is to work less!
Say you’re a freelancer and you need to get a project done in a week. If you give yourself all week to do it, you’ll procrastinate, spending your time fiddling around and not working on what matters.
But if you give yourself only 20 percent of the week to complete the project (just one day), then you’ll work diligently and efficiently. The end results will be better, and you’ll have more time to spend on other things.
Interested in how the 80/20 way can work for you? Next we’ll show you exactly how to apply this principle to the most important areas of your life.
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What is Living the 80/20 Way about?
Living the 80/20 Way shows you how to apply the 80/20 principle, an economic concept which states that the vast majority of results come from a small proportion of effort, to your personal life. With pragmatic, easily applicable advice about how to create more with less, the author encourages the reader to focus on what’s important and to think outside the box.
Living the 80/20 Way Review
Living the 80/20 Way (2003) by Richard Koch is a practical guide to achieving more by doing less. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It uncovers the powerful principle of the 80/20 rule, teaching readers how to focus their efforts on the vital few activities that yield the greatest results.
- Through real-life examples and case studies, the book demonstrates how people can dramatically increase their productivity and effectiveness by applying the 80/20 principle in all areas of life.
- With its clear, straightforward language, the book makes complex concepts easy to understand and implement, ensuring that readers stay engaged and motivated throughout.
Who should read Living the 80/20 Way?
- Life coaches or other motivational coaches
- Anyone who feels unsatisfied with how they spend their time
- Anyone who feels overwhelmed and exhausted by a busy schedule
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Living the 80/20 Way FAQs
What is the main message of Living the 80/20 Way?
The main message of Living the 80/20 Way is achieving more with less effort by focusing on the vital few.
How long does it take to read Living the 80/20 Way?
The reading time for Living the 80/20 Way varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Living the 80/20 Way a good book? Is it worth reading?
Living the 80/20 Way is a must-read for those who want to maximize their productivity and achieve optimal results. It offers practical insights and strategies within a concise format.
Who is the author of Living the 80/20 Way?
The author of Living the 80/20 Way is Richard Koch.
What to read after Living the 80/20 Way?
If you're wondering what to read next after Living the 80/20 Way, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch
- Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
- How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job by Dale Carnegie
- The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
- Quiet by Susan Cain
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- Deep Work by Cal Newport