Episode 36 - The 80/20 Rule for High Achievers: Doing Less, Achieving More (Work + Home Edition)
Welcome to Episode 36 of the Time for Living Podcast!
TRANSCRIPT
show notes
Ever feel like you’re busy all day but never quite get to what matters most? This week on Time For Living, we’re unpacking the 80/20 Rule—also known as the Pareto Principle—and how it can help you cut through the noise, focus on what truly moves the needle, and finally create breathing room in both your work and home life. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start seeing real results, this episode will show you how to work smarter, not harder.
What You’ll Learn:
• The simple truth behind the 80/20 Rule and why it matters for busy professionals
• How to spot the handful of tasks that actually drive results at work and at home
• A quick, five-minute audit to identify your high-impact activities (and what to let go of)
• Real-life examples of time-wasters and how to shift your focus to what counts
• How to create a practical action plan to prioritize what matters and free up your schedule
By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to pinpoint your most valuable tasks, let go of the rest, and make space for what matters most—without the overwhelm.
Free Resource:
Ready to reclaim your time? Download your free ‘Taking Control of Your Time’ workbook for a simple time audit and actionable steps to create more space in your day: timeforliving.co/takingcontrol
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Final Thought:
You don’t have to do it all to make progress. Focus on what really matters, let go of the rest, and watch how much lighter—and more productive—your days become. You’re capable of so much more than busywork.
TRANSCRIPT - The 80/20 Rule for High Achievers: Doing Less, Achieving More (Work + Home Edition)
Introduction
Hey there! Welcome back to Time For Living. I’m so glad you found a moment to join me—whether you’re listening while you’re on the go, maybe in your car, or just carving out a moment for yourself in the middle of a busy day. Let me ask you something: have you ever felt like you’re juggling a million things and still wondering how you’re supposed to make time for your own goals, you’re definitely not alone. And honestly? That’s exactly why I created this space.
Every week, I share different ways to find time in your busy life—some big, some small, but all meant to fit into your real, everyday world. My hope is that something I say will click for you, maybe even stick, and help you carve out a little breathing room for what really matters—whether that’s at work, at home, or both.
Today, I want to share one of my favorite strategies: the 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle. Here’s the scoop: about 80% of our results come from just 20% of our efforts. That means a handful of things you do—at work and at home—are actually driving most of your progress, while the rest might just be filling up your schedule without moving you forward.
We’re not just talking theory, either. I’m going to walk you through a super simple, five-minute audit that will help you pinpoint those high-impact tasks in both your job and your home. No more guessing what’s worth your time—you’ll see it right in front of you.
So, if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start making real progress, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it!
What is the 80/20 rule?
Alright, let’s get into the heart of today’s episode: the 80/20 Rule. Now, I know you’ve probably heard every productivity trick under the sun—fancy apps, maybe even advice to wake up at 4 a.m. and meditate while making a green smoothie. But here’s the truth: I’m not here to offer some shiny new hack or promise a magic fix. The 80/20 Rule is a classic principle that’s been around for ages because it actually works. No frills, no fluff—just results.
So, what does it actually mean? The 80/20 Rule is this: about 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts. That’s right. A small slice of what you do—at work, at home, wherever—is really responsible for most of your wins.
Let’s make this real. Think about your workweek. You might have a to-do list that’s a mile long, but when you look back, it’s usually just a couple of things that really made a difference. Maybe it was prepping for that one big meeting, sending that make-or-break email, or finally wrapping up a project. The rest? They keep you busy, sure, but they don’t really move the needle in a meaningful way. It’s like replying to every single email the moment it lands—it feels productive, but most of the time it just eats up your morning and keeps you from finishing that big project that really matters.
And honestly, it’s the same thing at home. Think about it—maybe 20% of what you do, like meal prepping for the week or just making sure everyone has clean clothes, is what really keeps things running. The rest, the other 80%? It’s kind of like when you catch yourself scrolling through your phone, searching for the perfect meal planning app, even though you already have a calendar, reminders, or even just a notepad that would totally do the job. You end up spending more time setting things up than actually planning your meals. Sometimes, the simplest tools you already have are all you need to keep things moving.
Here’s a little test: think about your day. How much time slips away on things that don’t really move you forward—like mindlessly scrolling social media or sitting through meetings that could’ve just been an email? Most of us spend far more time on these low-impact activities than on the tasks that actually matter.
For those of us juggling work, family, and everything in between, the 80/20 Rule is like a breath of fresh air. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to do it all, all the time. You just have to focus on the few things that really matter and let the rest go.
I’m not saying you can ignore everything else, but when you know your “vital few”—those tasks that actually move the needle—you can give them your best energy and finally let go of the pressure to be perfect at everything. It’s about working smarter, not harder.
In just a minute, I’m going to walk you through a simple, five-minute audit to help you spot your own high-impact tasks, both at work and at home. But for now, picture what it would feel like to spend more time on what actually matters, and less on the stuff that just fills your day. That’s the power of sticking with what works. And that’s what we’re all about here.
Why It’s a Total Shift
Let’s just pause for a second and picture what this could look like in your life. Imagine waking up, glancing at your calendar, and instead of feeling that familiar wave of overwhelm, you see a short list of things that actually matter—at work and at home. You know exactly where your energy needs to go, and the rest? You can let it go, guilt-free.
I think so many of us fall into the trap of believing we have to do everything, and do it all perfectly. We measure our worth by how much we get done, but the truth is, that’s a recipe for burnout, not fulfillment. Here’s the shift: it’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things, and doing them well.
When you start focusing on those high-impact tasks—the ones that really move you forward—you’ll notice your stress drops, your confidence rises, and you actually have more time for what lights you up. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. That’s where real progress happens, and honestly, it feels so much lighter. So, let’s talk about how you can make this shift, starting today.
The 5-Minute High-Impact Audit
Alright, let’s get practical. This is where we take everything we’ve talked about and put it into action. If you can, grab a pen and a piece of paper—or open up the notes app on your phone. We’re going to do this together, right now, and I promise it’s quick. We’re looking for clarity, not perfection.
So, here’s what I want you to do. First, make two columns. Label one “Work” and the other “Home.” Under each column, write down the top five tasks you find yourself doing every single week. Don’t overthink it—just jot down what comes to mind first. For work, maybe it’s responding to emails, prepping for meetings, working on presentations, checking in with your team, or handling client calls. For home, maybe it’s laundry, grocery shopping, making dinner, helping with homework, or paying bills.
Take a second to look at your lists. Sometimes, just seeing it all written out is eye-opening, right? Now, here’s where the real shift—happens.
Step two: I want you to circle the one or two work tasks that you know bring you the biggest results or the most satisfaction. These are the things that, when you do them, you feel accomplished or you see real progress. Maybe it’s finishing a big project, maybe it’s having a one-on-one with a team member that always leads to new ideas, or maybe it’s that weekly strategy session that keeps everything on track.
Now, move over to your home list. Circle the one or two home tasks that keep your household running smoothly or that give you genuine peace of mind. Maybe it’s meal prepping on Sundays so you’re not scrambling every night. Maybe it’s that one deep clean that makes your whole week feel lighter. Or maybe it’s the family calendar check-in that keeps everyone pointed in the right direction.
Okay, next step: let’s get honest with ourselves. Go back to your work list and put a star next to the one or two tasks that drain your energy but don’t really move your goals forward. These are the things that eat up your time and leave you feeling exhausted, but if you skipped them for a week, nothing would really fall apart. Maybe it’s sitting in meetings that don’t need you, or getting lost in endless emails that don’t lead anywhere.
Now, do the same for your home list. Star the one or two tasks that just feel like busywork or that you could honestly delegate, defer, or even drop. Maybe it’s running out to grab just one thing when you know you could easily batch your errands later in the week. Or telling yourself, “Just one more episode,” even though you know it’s going to cut into your bedtime or steal time you need to get ready and prep for the next day. Maybe it’s saying yes to every school volunteer request when you’re already stretched thin.
Now, here’s the big question: How can you do more of the circled tasks—the ones that matter most—and less of the starred ones? This is where you get to be intentional. Maybe you double down on the work projects that actually move the needle and gently step back from the meetings that don’t need you. Maybe you keep meal prepping because it saves your sanity, but you let go of having to clean your whole home before company arrives.
Let’s make it real with an action plan. Choose one circled work task and one circled home task to prioritize this week. Put them at the top of your list, block time for them, and give yourself permission to focus there. Then, pick one starred task from each area—work and home—and decide: can you delegate it to someone else, defer it to another time, or just drop it altogether? Maybe you ask a coworker to take the lead on a recurring report, or you let your partner or kids take over some household chores.
The goal here isn’t to overhaul your entire life in five minutes. It’s to create a little more space for what matters and a little less stress from what doesn’t. When you start making these small, intentional shifts, you’ll be amazed at how much lighter your week feels and how much more progress you make where it counts.
So, take a breath, look at your lists, and celebrate this moment of clarity. You’re choosing what matters, and that’s something to be proud of.
Real-Life Success Snapshots
Let me share a quick story that I think will really resonate. I worked with a client recently who was feeling completely stretched—between work, home, and all the little things in between, she barely had a minute to herself. She realized she was spending so much time every day on laundry and meal prep, trying to keep everything perfect. So, she decided to try something different. She started batching her meal prep just once a week, and instead of tackling laundry every single day, she picked two set days for it.
The result? It seems so simple but she really gained back hours each week and, more importantly, felt less frazzled. With that extra time and headspace, she was able to really focus on her side project. Instead of getting bogged down in the little stuff, she put her energy into her website—and you know what? Her website has gone live and she’s moving forward with her dream.
Stories like this remind me why these small shifts matter so much. And I’d love to hear your wins, too. If you try any of these steps, send me a message or tag me—I truly love celebrating your breakthroughs!
Summary
Alright, here’s your challenge—I want you to take just five minutes today and do your own high-impact audit.Seriously, grab a pen or open your notes app and write down those top work tasks and home tasks. Circle the ones that truly move the needle for you, and star the ones that drain your energy or don’t really matter. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it’s going to give you clarity like you wouldn’t believe.
Once you’ve got your lists, snap a quick screenshot of your circled tasks and tag me on social. I want to see what you’re prioritizing! And as a thank you, I’ll send you my free Time Audit Workbook—it’s packed with tools to help you uncover hidden pockets of time you didn’t even know you had. Just head over to timeforliving.co/takingcontrol and grab it.
If you’re craving more practical tips and mini-challenges to keep you moving forward, make sure you join my email list. I share exclusive content there that you won’t hear anywhere else. The link is right in the show notes—easy to find, easy to sign up.
Before you go, here’s a little reminder: you don’t have to do it all perfectly. Nope. Focus on what really matters—at work, at home, and in your life—and watch how much lighter and more in control you feel. Let go of the pressure, and give yourself permission to focus on the good stuff.
Thanks so much for hanging out with me today. I can’t wait to hear your wins and celebrate with you. Catch you next time on Time For Living!