The 80/20 Rule for Small Business Owners: Do Less, Earn More
You’ve probably heard of the 80/20 Rule before.
Also known as the Pareto Principle, it’s the idea that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts.
Sounds simple, right?
But for small business owners — especially the solo kind juggling a dozen roles before lunch — this isn’t just a fun fact.
It’s a lifeline.
💥 Let’s break it down in real life:
20% of your clients are the ones who rebook, refer, and rave about you online.
20% of your offers generate most of your revenue — the rest might be draining your energy for pennies.
20% of your marketing efforts (that blog post you almost didn’t publish, or that one FB ad that crushed it) are likely doing the heavy lifting.
But what happens when you don’t know which 20% is actually working?
You end up stuck in a loop of effort with no real reward.
Why This Matters More Than You Think 💡
Here’s the truth most business coaches won’t say out loud:
You physically, mentally, and emotionally cannot give 100% to everything.
And trying to is a fast track to burnout — not success.
You're not doing it wrong.
You're just doing too much of the wrong stuff.
That’s why the 80/20 Rule is so powerful.
It helps you shift from “How can I fit this all in?” to “What’s actually worth my time?”
🧠 So how do you find your 20%?
Start with a reality check — not a Pinterest-perfect planner.
Step 1: Track your time like a detective.
For 3 straight days, jot down every task you do.
Yes, even “Reply to DM from someone who still hasn’t booked” and “Rearranged retail shelf for 12 minutes.”
The goal here is awareness. You can’t fix what you can’t see.
Step 2: Highlight what directly leads to income.
Did this task help you:
Book a client?
Make a sale?
Build a real connection with someone likely to return or refer?
If the answer’s yes — it goes in the “💰” column.
If it supports your biz but doesn’t make money directly? That’s “✨.”
If it drains your time with zero ROI? Mark it “❌” and be honest about it.
Step 3: Spot your patterns.
You’ll start seeing what truly matters… and what doesn’t.
Maybe 15-minute check-in calls are converting way better than long free consultations.
Or one specific promo post leads to 3x more bookings than the other 10 you stressed over.
Follow that data. It’s trying to hand you a map.
Step 4: Make your Power Moves.
This is the fun part.
Take everything in your 💰 column — this is your 20%.
Ask yourself:
Can I do more of this?
Can I build a system to support it?
Can I delegate the ✨ stuff?
Can I delete the ❌ stuff entirely?
This isn’t about becoming a robot.
It’s about becoming a strategic business owner who spends their energy where it counts.
🧘♀️ Want More Clients and More Time Off?
It’s possible.
But it starts with letting go of the belief that success means doing everything.
You don’t need to “get more done.”
You need to do more of the right things — and stop spinning your wheels on what doesn’t pay off.
Remember: your dream business isn’t built in the hustle.
It’s built in the clarity.
And clarity comes when you know your 20%.
Smart business isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters. Figment5 Marketing.
