By Michael Gidlewski

What can impede our success?

• fighting fires and reacting to crises
• confusion about priorities and getting off track
• spending too much time and energy in meetings
• lack of clarity about what to do next
• your business controlling your life
• constant interruptions affecting your productivity

Vilfredo Pareto, the 18th-century Italian economist, introduced an idea called the 80/20 Pareto Principle or the 80/20 Rule, which is as valid today as ever. The 80/20 Rule says that 20 percent of our activities produce 80 percent of our results and that 80 percent of our activities produce 20 percent of our results.

W. Edwards Deming also called this “the rule of the vital few versus the trivial many,” basically saying the same thing: that there are a vital few activities that can deliver powerful results in our business.

The No. 1 reason for success in any business is perhaps the effective use of time. Paul J. Meyer of SMI said, “there is a world of difference between mere action and constructive action.” Develop the habit of concentrating on “High Payoff Activities” that produce the greatest results for you in your personal and business life. Remember that 80 percent of your results come from 20 percent of the activities involved in running your practice, and only 20 percent of your results come from 80 percent of your activities identified as low-payoff activities. Other business activities, low-payoff activities, though necessary, should never be given priority during peak selling and other HPA time.

When you have clearly defined your “High Payoff Activities” and “Goals” and accept personal responsibility to manage yourself and your priorities, you will find it much easier to say no to outside activities (low payoff), distractions, and people who do not contribute to your success and achievements. Focus your time, effort, and energy on the activities that produce the greatest results in your practice.

What will make the greatest positive difference in our level of success is how effectively we embrace and implement these ideas into our businesses. What’s exciting about the 80/20 Rule is that a small increase in utilization can give you a quantum leap in profitability. When we talk about being more effective, we’re also thinking about making more money and having more free time to do the things that matter most to us in our personal lives.

Be proactive by implementing a company-wide process to help everyone become more productive and organized in your business and your personal life. Use a tool, a system, for:

• planning and setting goals
• scheduling your priorities
• managing your communication
• tracking and measuring results

By implementing these ideas and turning them into habits, I promise you will:

• see a marked and measurable improvement in your personal productivity
• experience less stress and get more things done in less time
• start achieving your goals rather than just setting them

Today, working hard seems to be the current mantra. However, if you want to be a more effective professional, start to work smarter, not harder.

This personal challenge questionnaire lets you know where you stand regarding clarity, focus, and results. If you don’t like your answers, we may be able to help. E-mail catalyst@achievable.com or comment below.

_________

Michael Gidlewski is President of West Chester-based Achievement Unlimited, Inc., as well as a growth catalyst and motivational speaker. He works with motivated business owners and entrepreneurs to clearly define the elements of what they dearly want their businesses and lives to look like, then helps them connect all the moving parts that make up those visions to consistent action and habits. Michael can be reached at 610-793-6609 or via e-mail at michael@achievable.com.

[uam_ad id=”80503″]

.

[uam_ad id=”80502″]