Have you ever heard of Pareto’s 80/20 Principle?
If you haven’t, here it is in a nutshell.
The 80/20 Rule means that in anything a few (20 percent) are vital and many(80 percent) are trivial.
You can apply the 80/20 Rule to almost anything, especially time management.
Today we live in a world that wants to “push button” and make money.
(They didn’t have that in the eighteenth century)
And as Americans we love to always push the “envelope a little further” by taking things to the extreme.
So in that spirit….
An american internet marketer came up with the 95/5 rule.
It basically means 95% is trivial and only 5% are vital.
So basically delegate 95% and concentrate on the 5%.
Bad advice if you ask me.
I tried the 95/5 and it literally burned me out.
For example for years I didn’t do anything “trivial”
I didn’t…
Step foot in a store.
Wash my car.
Cook.
Personally handle a customer complaint.
Train a client.
All I did was delegate, market, and write checks which required working behind the computer.
(That was my so called 5%)
But soon I discovered that I wasn’t fulfilled. I was unhappy. OK, maybe downright miserable.
I was becoming socially awkward.
I found myself wanting to communicate with the computer more than I did with humans.
(No wonder some internet marketers are really awkward in person)
I was even scared to walk in my own gym as I didn’t want to get caught up in a conversation with a client. That task was delegated to my manager Armando.
I am almost 100% positive that being socially awkward in a business that requires communicating with humans is not a good thing.
Here is the lesson that I’ve learned….
In life on the way to success, we need to slow down and smell the flowers.
Success is your experiences in life. (good or bad)
Today….
Do I still manage my time ruthlessly? Yes
Do I have a panic attack if I’m interrupted once in a while? Nope
I LOVE and believe in what I call “Pattern Interrupt” and getting out of my comfort zone.
If you keep doing the same things over and over again, no matter how productive, you’re going to get burned out.
Don’t forget to have fun on your way to success.
Side note: I highly recommend reading the book Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose; A Round Table Comic
These days, I see too many trainers becoming unhappy cyborgs.
No success is worth being miserable even for one second.
Your boy Sam,
PS – It’s not rocket science. Have a great product, back it up with great service, smile and have fun.
Don’t make it more complicated than it is.
PPS – As always reply if I can help you with anything.