The 80-20 Rule
Many years ago, I heard about the 80-20 rule. The 80-20 rule states that 80% of the work is done by 20% of the workers; 80% of the money is given by 20% of givers. Women say that they wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time.
At the time, I was conducting evangelistic meetings. As an evangelist, it was obvious to me that only a small percentage of the people brought most of the visitors to the services. I used to say that if only a few more people in the church really went to work to bring people to the meetings, I would have very successful results.
Recently, I discovered the origin of the 80-20 rule. In the 19th and 20th century, Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, wrote about the unequal distribution of wealth. He observed that 80% of income in Italy went to 20% of the population. In 1937, Joseph M. Juran coined the Pareto Principle, named after Vilfredo Pareto. The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80-20 rule, states that 80% of the effect comes from 20% of the cause. Applied to business, it means that 80% of the sales come from 20% of the customers or 80% production errors come from 20% of the workers. Simply put, the bulk of the effect comes from relatively few contributors. The principle is used in management to separate the “useful many” from the “vital few.” In the final analysis, it is a way to focus on what is important and not getting lost in what is not important.
It should be pointed out that the 80-20 idea is a principle, not a law. In real life, 20% of the workers could create 100% of the result—or 80% or 40% or 20%. At best, the 80-20 rule is a rough guideline. Nevertheless, the point is still well taken: life is not fair; it is uneven. Returns and rewards for effect are not distribute evenly.In a perfect world, every worker would contribute the same amount of work.
If you are in the 20% (Good for you.), don’t pay too much attention to the 80% who don’t put out the same amount of effort as you do. I have seen faithful workers develop a bad attitude because they felt they had to “do all the work.” In the first place, the reality is the few do the most.
More importantly, if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and you do all you do as unto Him, you will be rewarded by Him. Paul told slaves to obey their masters, “not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God” (Col. 3:22). Then, he added, “and whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23-24). Paul told slaves, who had no choice, to obey their masters and to do everything as if they were working for the Lord. Furthermore, those who do will be rewarded by the Lord. So, be part of the 20%—just make sure you do it as unto the Lord. It will help your attitude now and you will get your reward later.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 6/30/2008
At the time, I was conducting evangelistic meetings. As an evangelist, it was obvious to me that only a small percentage of the people brought most of the visitors to the services. I used to say that if only a few more people in the church really went to work to bring people to the meetings, I would have very successful results.
Recently, I discovered the origin of the 80-20 rule. In the 19th and 20th century, Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, wrote about the unequal distribution of wealth. He observed that 80% of income in Italy went to 20% of the population. In 1937, Joseph M. Juran coined the Pareto Principle, named after Vilfredo Pareto. The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80-20 rule, states that 80% of the effect comes from 20% of the cause. Applied to business, it means that 80% of the sales come from 20% of the customers or 80% production errors come from 20% of the workers. Simply put, the bulk of the effect comes from relatively few contributors. The principle is used in management to separate the “useful many” from the “vital few.” In the final analysis, it is a way to focus on what is important and not getting lost in what is not important.
It should be pointed out that the 80-20 idea is a principle, not a law. In real life, 20% of the workers could create 100% of the result—or 80% or 40% or 20%. At best, the 80-20 rule is a rough guideline. Nevertheless, the point is still well taken: life is not fair; it is uneven. Returns and rewards for effect are not distribute evenly.In a perfect world, every worker would contribute the same amount of work.
If you are in the 20% (Good for you.), don’t pay too much attention to the 80% who don’t put out the same amount of effort as you do. I have seen faithful workers develop a bad attitude because they felt they had to “do all the work.” In the first place, the reality is the few do the most.
More importantly, if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and you do all you do as unto Him, you will be rewarded by Him. Paul told slaves to obey their masters, “not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God” (Col. 3:22). Then, he added, “and whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23-24). Paul told slaves, who had no choice, to obey their masters and to do everything as if they were working for the Lord. Furthermore, those who do will be rewarded by the Lord. So, be part of the 20%—just make sure you do it as unto the Lord. It will help your attitude now and you will get your reward later.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 6/30/2008