Did you know that doing less work can actually improve your work/life balance, your health, and your relationships?

We often have our days filled with tasks that keep us busy. But are these tasks really getting us to where we want to be? Or are they causing unneeded stress? What if you aligned your day with completing the most rewarding task first? Will that make a difference in your life? The 80/20 Principle can help you do this.

By utilizing the 80/20 Principle you can start to make small improvements in your daily life. I will warn you, this is not going to be easy but every challenge has its obstacles. How you handle those obstacles will determine your character.

In a recent book, I read, “Eat that Frog” Brian Tracy, talks about accomplishing your high priority (the frog) item first thing in the morning. I have been utilizing this method for the last couple of months and I have been able to downsize my workload and accomplish a lot more. I have also reduced my stress and focus on helping people get healthy, fit, and live life beyond the gym walls. This is the message I am trying to share with you now. Reduce stress, live healthier!

Pareto 80/20 Principle

The 80/20 principle was conceived by Vilfredo Federico Damaso Pareto, born in Italy in 1848. The Pareto principle states that for many outcomes roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of the causes. 

I came across a Forbes article highlighting other universal truths about the 80/20 Principle. The article points out several occurrences in the world and in our lives are revolved around the 80/20 principle.

How can you make your 20% count every day? First, you need to establish what your goals are. You need to know where you’re going, or else how will you get there? When you establish your goals you can draw a roadmap with the different stops you need to do to get there. That is you 20% you must do daily to achieve the 80% of what you want.

Health is #1

Our health should be our number one priority and daily practice to improve our health should be on the top of our daily list. Since 2003, I have helped 1000’s regain their health and make it a priority in their life. The common trait among these people is they took charge of their own health and made it a priority every day. They found the resources they needed to improve their health and wellness. When they became clients they wanted to make a change. They invested in their health and fitness and made the changes they wanted to see in their life. Your health is all you have until you don’t.

Find the resources you need to make the improvements you want to see. The Performance Ranch provides many resources to improve your fitness, health, nutrition, and injuries. You must take control of your health if you want to enhance your life.

Injuries

In November of last year, I injured my back trying to max out my deadlifts. A cumulation of stress (It was the same day we were forced to shut down for the second time), lack of sleep, and not taking care of my regeneration daily led me down that path of self-destruction. I am very fortunate I have a top-notch rehab crew at the Performance Ranch and Elite-OSM. They were able to get me back on my feet in about a week. I also started to read more on injury and self-care and came across some great resources, including “The Supple Leopard” from Kelly Starrett. We have started to add some of these exercises to our YouTube Channel.

I mention my injury because I am fortunate and I have access to these resources. That is what I am here, to help you find the next step take. Once you understand what is slowing you down, you will know where you should start. Our specialists at the Performance Ranch want to help people live a life beyond the gym walls. Their passion is helping others feel good about themselves, they do this through strength and movement training, nutrition education, recovery techniques, and mindfulness. They change people’s lives!

And if we can’t help you, we will point you in the right direction to get help. Our partners, Elite-OSM are some of the the best injury recovery specialist’s in the world. I have been around a lot of therapists in my career and these doctors and therapists are some of the best.

Why We Love to Help

The highest priority in my life is to be the healthiest I can be for my family. I pray that someday my message will resonate with others and they will follow my lead. This is why I try to lead by example and show my the path on how I overcame obstacles in my life to focus on my 80%. I have streamlined my tasks daily to focus on that 80%. 

Here is my 80% I live for daily

1. Healthy life 
2. Healthy family 
3. Faith
4. Helping others become healthy
5. Inspire my employees to be the best they can be

If I focus on this, I know I can leave my mark on the world. 

Now this question remains, what is your 80%? What 20% of your actions will guide that 80%? 

Sitdown with your thoughts, a notebook, take a deep breath, and dive into you thoughts. Write down the mark you want to leave on the world. 

Lawrence Herrera