Applying the 80-20 Rule

The Pareto principle (also known as the 80-20 rule, the law of the vital few and the principle of factor sparsity) was discovered by Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist. The law states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

Pareto, observed that 80 percent of the land in England (and every country he subsequently studied) was owned by 20 percent of the population. He also noticed that 80% of Italy's wealth was owned by 20% of the population. That's definitely the case in Nigeria as well.

Pareto's theory of predictable imbalance has since been applied to almost every aspect of today life.

The 80/20 rule can help you focus on what is really important in various aspects of your life. I have listed below a few application of the 80/20 rule:

Friendships- 20% of your friends probably give you 80% of the support, care and satisfaction you need. 20% of your relationships give 80% of the value. Learn to recognise people that fall into the 20% and improve those relationships. Those are your true friends.

Relationship/Marriage- In the Tyler Perry's movie, "Why did I get married?" a "version" of this law was referred to with a different twist to it. “In love and/or relationship you get about 80% of what you need from your mate. Sometimes we meet someone who has that other 20% that we are not getting and the 20% looks real good, but if you trade your 80% for that 20%, then you’ll really see how good you had it.”

Work- Approximately 20% of your efforts produce 80% of the results. Find your productive time/condition and make the best use of it. Personally, I find that I am more productive in the mornings. By afternoon, my brain begins to work on slow mode. Since I have recognised this, I try to do my 20% in the mornings to achieve maximum results for the day.

Possessions- 20% of what you own is used 80% of the time. We wear 20% of our favorite clothes about 80% of the time. Only a small part of what you own is used often. This might help you to de-clutter the junk in your home. I certainly need this tip!

We all have limited resources, be it our time, money, or attention. So to get the most out of them, it’s important to invest your resources in only the most profitable places.

Note 1: the 80/20 rules are approximates

Note 2: More details on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle

Note 3: I promised Rita I will do a post on the 80/20 rule based on a post she did, so this one is for you girl :)

What's the Big Deal about Insurance?

Since I started living abroad, my bank or other marketers have tried to sell insurance to me and each time I refuse to buy. Just today I received a call from my bank trying to sell me an accident insurance policy. The lady went on and on about how if I was involved in an accident, they will cover my hospital bill blah blah. She listed so many benefits. All I had to do was sign up and pay £9.95 monthly. As she was talking of different kinds of accidents and disabilities that might happen as a result of the accidents, I began to bind and cast. In my head I kept saying "I rebuke it in Jesus name". Now to be sincere, am not quiet sure if it was an act of fear or faith. Can I say it was a combination of both. Is that possible?? But you know how we Nigerians/Africans are quick to bind and cast.


In the UK, it is compulsory to insure your car. I doubt that a lot of Nigerians at home have insurance for their cars. Makes me wonder how the insurance companies in Nigeria survive. We were not brought up to pay ahead against any ill fates that might occur. Isn't that what insurance is about. Pay upfront such that if anything bad happens you are covered ? Instead we see prayer has our insurance. Even if accidents or theft happen, we see it as part of life and move on.

After today's call with the lady marketer (we spent 12 minutes on the call going back and forth on top this insurance, she try sha), I asked myself why I refused to be accident insured. The only answer I could come up with was to quote the scripture that the Lord is watching over me and that no harm will befall me. Besides parting with £9.95 monthly?? Kilode, but why?


So share with us, what do you think about getting insurance. Is there a type of insurance you can take but some you won't e.g home insurance such that you are covered in the case of theft, but not accident insurance? What about Life Insurance? Do you see insurance as an investment? Do you think it is foolish not to be insured or should we continue quoting scriptures and pleading the blood of Jesus to protect us from all evil?


I leave the floor open to you...

*picture taken from static.seekingalpha.com/.../thumb-Insurance.jpg

Ten things Tuesday (08)

Hi people. I hope you are having a good week so far. Here's my thankful list. God indeed is awesome and is forever faithful! You can check my last list here

1. For good health and protection
2. A good friend of mine visited from Nigeria. It was nice to host and catch up with her
3. Took hubby to the airport and missed my way back home! The silly navigator refused to work. It was pitch-dark and I was so scared. Started panicking and hyperventilating (why I dunno o). Had to park the car to get myself together after nearly having an accident. At that point, God gave me wisdom to ditch the navigator and instead look at the signs for direction. That led me home. When I got to the turning to my road, I heard the navigator say “take the next left and you will reach your destination”….Nonsense! But in all I thank God I got home safely.
4. My MIL’s birthday was last week. I am thankful she is hale and hearty and that she had so much fun on her day.
5. My little cousin’s turned 11 yesterday. He is such a big boy now and it was nice speaking with him over the phone. I saw him last when he was 5/6.
6. Even though my business is moving slowly, I am thankful for the things I am learning and I believe it will grow better than I am expecting
7. Despite the credit crunch, I am thankful for provision every single day
8. I am glad Rachael was kept safe and is still in the X-Factor competition. Those who watch the X-Factor (Naijalines & co) will know what I am talking about. I hope she goes far even though I am not voting (might probably start when things become critical).
9. Today is Election Day in America. Even though I am hopeful that Obama will win, I am thankful because I know God is in control whatever happens.
10. I am thankful that Jonathan Eledu has been released and I believe the Nigerian govt will give him back his travel documents ASAP.

So what are you thankful for?

Please, if you can, take a few minutes to welcome Nwachi to blogville. I am feeling her blog already :)

Meanwhile I have been meaning to ask y'all a question. When you post a comment or question on blogs, which do you prefer- receiving a reply on that person’s blog, your blog or via email. Just want to be sure if someone asks me a question or whatever; I respond to the appropriate place. Personally, if I ask someone a question on their blog, I don’t mind where they reply as I typically track comments but I must say sometimes emails have a personal touch to it.

So please let me know. Ta!