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We’ve all heard the advice to “work smarter, not harder,” but what if there was a hidden key—one simple principle—that could completely change the way you approach your business? 

As I was diving into audits and plans for next year, I kept seeing this one principle popping up everywhere. It was like a lightbulb moment, and it inspired this episode because if it’s showing up for me, there’s a good chance it’s impacting you, too.

Imagine if just a small fraction of what you do could drive nearly all of your results, giving you back time and energy while amplifying your success.

Today, I’m diving into this surprisingly simple rule that could help you 10x your business, covering everything from revenue and audience engagement to daily productivity.

Grab a notebook, because I’ll show you exactly how this principle can help you zero in on the work that truly moves the needle. Ready to see a little business magic in action? Let’s dive in!

The ONE Principle You Must Master

Before we dive in, let me take you back—I first learned about this concept in college, and it’s one that has only grown in relevance over time. With the overwhelming number of options and demands we face today, understanding how to focus on what truly drives results is more important than ever.

So, what am I talking about? I’m referring to Pareto’s Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule.

This principle suggests that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts. It was originally discovered by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed that 80% of Italy’s land was owned by just 20% of the population. Since then, this principle has become a go-to framework in business, productivity, and even personal life.

At its core, Pareto’s Principle is about identifying and amplifying that high-impact 20% so you can maximize results, streamline your workload, and cut out distractions. Today, I’m going to share five key areas in your business where the 80-20 rule can make a massive impact on your success!

1. Offers and Revenue

When we think about the 80/20 principle, it’s likely that around 20% of your offers are generating 80% of your revenue. I’ve seen this firsthand in my own business. For instance, when it comes to affiliate partnerships, we discovered that 20% of our partnerships were responsible for 80% of our revenue. This realization helped us focus on going deep rather than wide.

Even though I have multiple revenue streams now, I can confidently say that 20% of our offers bring in over 80% of our revenue. If you dig into your sales data, you’ll probably notice a similar trend. That’s right… Only a few of your products or services are likely driving the majority of your income!

Now, here’s something I want you to hear loud and clear: if you’re constantly creating new offers, you might be diluting your focus and, consequently, your results. I haven’t created a new core offer in over six years! Instead of spreading yourself thin by trying to create new things, take a closer look at what’s already working.

Identify your top performers and understand what makes them successful. Are they solving a specific problem for your audience? Do they stand out in the market? Once you identify your best sellers, think about how you can double down on them or promote them more effectively.

The rinse and repeat model has been a game changer for me. It may feel boring at times, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving. By focusing on scaling what’s already working, you’ll free up time and resources that would otherwise be spent on lower-impact offers.

2. Content and Engagement

I have news for you, friend: I bet roughly 20% of your content is likely driving 80% of your audience engagement. If you haven’t done a social media audit lately, check out this episode from earlier this year where I walk through the process of doing one and how to do it. Now is a great time! 

Many of us experience a “throw spaghetti at the wall” approach when it comes to social media. If you haven’t done a social media audit lately, I highly recommend it. Analyzing your content can reveal patterns that help you understand what resonates with your audience.

When you identify those high-performing pieces, it’s crucial to look beyond just engagement metrics like likes and shares. Focus on what actually drives results, such as email subscribers or sales. Once you know what’s working, double down on it! Create more content in that style, cover similar topics, or even repurpose your top posts in different ways to reach new audiences.

For example, in my business, we’re currently analyzing my blog to see which pieces bring in the most traffic. Long-form content is queen, and refreshing top-performing posts can yield incredible results.

As you plan your next content pieces, ask yourself how you can recreate or build upon your top-performing content. This approach will help you engage your audience on a deeper level and maximize your results.

3. Marketing Channels and Client Acquisition

Guess what? About 20% of your marketing efforts likely yield 80% of your results, sales, or clients.

Many small business owners spend a significant amount of time on marketing—around 10 to 15 hours per week. However, not all marketing channels are created equal. It’s essential to identify which channels are consistently bringing in your highest quality leads.

In my experience, I’ve invested time and resources into various platforms, only to realize that some were not translating into real business results. While engagement metrics may look good, they don’t always correlate with sales.

By focusing on the channels that are actually driving results, you can save time and energy. This doesn’t mean you have to cut out lower-performing channels entirely, but you can reduce the time and money spent on them.

Take a close look at your metrics and ask yourself which channels deserve the spotlight in your marketing strategy. By strategically focusing on your top channels, you’ll maximize client acquisition and eliminate the feeling of being busy without results.

4. Customer Relationships and Referrals

The fourth area where Pareto’s Principle shows up is in customer relationships and referrals. It’s very likely that roughly 20% of your customers are likely responsible for 80% of your referrals or repeat purchases.

These are your diehard fans—the ones who buy everything you put out and refer their friends to you. It’s crucial to invest in these relationships because it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than to keep an existing one.

I remember when I was a wedding photographer; most of my leads came from referrals after my first year. I realized that I didn’t need to spend money on ads; instead, I could focus on nurturing relationships with past clients.

Consider spending just an hour a week serving your loyal customers. This could involve sending thank-you cards, offering loyalty perks, or simply checking in with them. You could also ask for feedback to understand what they love about your products or services.

By actively cultivating relationships with your top consumers, you can fuel organic growth and create a community that is excited to support your brand.

5. Tasks and Productivity

Finally, I’m willing to bet this one won’t shock you: 20% of your daily tasks drive 80% of your results. When was the last time you did a time audit?

It’s easy to get caught up in a never-ending to-do list, but not all tasks are created equal. Identifying which tasks are high-impact—those that contribute to your business growth—is essential.

One strategy I’ve used for years is the “big three” approach. Each day, I identify three big tasks that, if completed, would make my day a success. This helps me prioritize effectively and focus on what truly matters.

Additionally, consider outsourcing or automating low-impact tasks that consume your time. By offloading these responsibilities, you can free up mental space and focus on activities that drive results.

Dan Martell’s book, Buy Back Your Time, offers a fantastic framework for understanding the value of your tasks. He categorizes tasks into different value levels, encouraging you to focus on high-impact work that drives growth.

The goal here is not to glorify being busy but to be effective. By prioritizing high-impact tasks and streamlining the rest, you can create a more productive workflow and ensure that your efforts are moving the needle.

Final Thoughts

As we wrap up, I want to emphasize that while Pareto’s Principle can significantly impact various aspects of your business, it’s essential not to dismiss the other 80% entirely. The 80% still holds value and can lead to fresh ideas and opportunities for growth.

By zeroing in on that powerful 20%, you can set yourself up for sustainable and adaptable growth. Focusing on the right things in your business can unlock levels of growth that hard work alone can’t achieve.

If you take just one thing away from today’s episode, let it be this: focusing on the RIGHT things in your business can unlock levels of growth that hard work alone just can’t reach.

By understanding where that magic 20% lies—in your offers, your content, your marketing, and even your daily tasks—you’re giving yourself the power to work smarter, cut through the noise, and truly scale with purpose.

So, as you go about your week, I challenge you to look at your business with fresh eyes. Where can you simplify, double down, or even let go? Your success is not about doing more—it’s about doing more of what works!

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