“A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life.” – Charles Darwin
How many hours have you spent thinking about the past? I know I have used up many hours of life contemplating days gone by. Only to find I wasted the time. No solution is offered in past events. Only a learning experience if one can gain sufficient awareness. Most of what we remember of the past is what we considered to be a negative event. This is due to the negativity bias we all possess. This dualistic view, Me against Them, of the past prevents access to the lesson offered by the moment.
Now negative thinking does serve a purpose in our lives. Accepting and embracing negative thoughts can help us avoid unpleasant situations and people, while also providing the space to practice responding rather than reacting. Negative thinking can be a powerful ally affording us the ability to survive in dangerous circumstances. However, negative thinking can become a habit. A habit that can derail our best efforts.
As we developed the QHP programs, one of the principles we used was the Pareto Principle.
The principle was developed by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto in 1906 and was dubbed the Pareto Principle by Joseph M. Juran in the 1940s. Pareto observed that the majority of the wealth (80%) was owned by a minority (20%) of the people. According to what Pareto observed, 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. After surveying other countries, he found the same applied abroad. For the most part, the Pareto Principle is an observation that things in life are not always distributed evenly.
The Pareto Principle can be applied in a wide range of areas such as manufacturing, management, and human resources. It suggests that the efforts of 20% of a corporation’s staff could drive 80% of the company’s profit. It can also be applied on a personal level. Time management is the most common use of the Pareto Principle in our coaching. That’s because most people tend to thinly spread out their time instead of focusing on the most important tasks. In terms of personal time management, 80% of your work-related output could come from only 20% of your time at work. When it comes to health this principle is an excellent guide for how to manage your time.
Health is a multi-dimensional experience. Mind, body and spirit. The Pareto Principle can be an incredible guide in creating a rough model of an organized life with health at the center. If 20% effort yields 80% of the result, we can then divide the day into blocks. Sleep 8 hours is a non negotiable. That leaves 16 hours of time awake. Dedicating 20% of your day to health related activities would yield 80% of the result. Consistency is crucial. That would be 3.6 hours of time dedicated to healthy activities a day. A sleep ritual is usually an hour long. A morning ritual is 15-30 minutes. There’s one and a half already. Add some form of movement. Gym, yoga, functional training, or any other activity that you can enjoy. There’s an hour there. Meditation 15 minutes. Evening walk after eating for 30 minutes. Daily journal/NSDR another 30 minutes. There you have it. This routine will bring about wellness. Efficient and enriching.
Now that leaves just under 12.4 hours. This can serve as work, family, and friends’ time. By prioritizing these 3.6 hours for health, we set a strong foundation for the remaining hours. This dedicated time ensures we are well-rested, physically active, mentally calm, and nutritionally balanced, providing us with the energy and clarity needed to fully engage in our other activities.
The Pareto Principle helps us focus on what truly matters, ensuring that our time is invested in activities that bring the most significant returns. When we commit to the 20% of our activities that yield 80% of our results, we create a ripple effect throughout our day. For instance, starting the day with a mindful morning routine sets a positive tone, leading to increased productivity and better interactions throughout the day. Similarly, ensuring quality sleep means we wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day’s challenges with a clear mind and positive attitude.
By embracing this principle, we can transform our approach to health and wellness, making it more efficient and effective. This intentional use of time helps us avoid burnout and ensures we are not merely reacting to the demands of life but proactively creating a lifestyle that supports our well-being. This proactive approach enables us to manage stress more effectively, maintain emotional equilibrium, and nurture meaningful relationships, all of which contribute to a more fulfilling life.
This way, we not only avoid the trap of negative thinking but also actively build a life of balance, fulfillment, and vitality. By focusing on the critical aspects of our health, we cultivate resilience and adaptability, essential traits for navigating life’s ups and downs. Moreover, this structured approach helps us break free from the cycle of negativity by fostering a positive mindset and encouraging self-care. The result is a holistic sense of well-being that permeates every aspect of our lives, allowing us to strive, thrive and flow both personally and professionally.
