Get All Access for $5/mo

The Essence of Genius Is Simplification In this video, author Perry Marshall discusses the 80/20 rule to time management.

By Jason Fell

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The 80/20 rule -- the adage that 20 percent of customers equal 80 percent of sales -- applies to every facet of life, personally and professionally. One of the biggest areas this holds true is in time management. Especially for time-strapped entrepreneurs.

"We usually know 900 ways to solve a problem," Perry Marshall, author of 80/20 Sales and Marketing, says in the video above. "What must of us do, we elaborate on things, add complexity to things, add buttons and bells and whistles and features until what we end up with is like the inside of a jumbo jet cockpit."

To manage our time better, we should focus on the tasks with the biggest return on our investment and consider outsourcing the rest. You can hire a personal assistant or a house-cleaning service.

With the tasks that remain, keep them simple and streamlined. "The essence of genius is simplification," Marshall says.

Related:

The 3 Critical Elements to Selling Online Like a Pro

One Way to Turn Customers Into Raging Fans: Be Controversial

Finding Customers Fast and the 80/20 Rule of Sales

'Rack the Shotgun': Using the 80/20 Rule to Identify Your Best Customers

The 80/20 Rule and How to Supercharge Your Sales and Marketing

Jason Fell

VP, Native Content

Jason Fell is the VP of Native Content, managing the Entrepreneur Partner Studio, which creates dynamic and compelling content for our partners. He previously served as Entrepreneur.com's managing editor and as the technology editor prior to that.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Is One Company to Blame for Soaring Rental Prices in the U.S.?

The FBI recently raided a major corporate landlord while investigating a rent price-fixing scheme. Here's what we know.

Side Hustle

This Former Starbucks Employee Started a Side Hustle That's Making More Than $70,000 a Month — and He's Not Done Yet

When Tom Saar moved to New York City, he spotted a lucrative business opportunity.

Devices

Stay Focused at Work with These $110 Beats Fit Pro Earbuds

Lock in with a great deal on earbuds with spatial audio and active noise cancellation.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Amazon Has a Blank Book Problem: Buyers Report Receiving Fakes of Bestselling UFO Book

The book looked fine on the outside, but the inside was out-of-this-world.

Green Entrepreneur®

Why You Need a Contribution Mindset to Thrive in 2024 and Beyond

How to set yourself and your business up for long-term success.