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How The 80/20 Rule Can Help Us Get Our Priorities Straight

Balance
How The 80/20 Rule Can Help Us Get Our Priorities Straight
Many of us have heard of the 80/20 Rule, which is also known as the Pareto Principle. It's the rule that says 80% of your outputs come from 20% of your inputs. And while it has roots in economic studies, we discuss how it applies to creativity and business ownership.

The 80/20 Rule is certainly a handy analytical tool for businesspeople. But, turns out, efficiency isn't all about rules and percentages. After reflecting on it, we realized that this idea of putting in a smaller yet more concentrated effort to yield a larger payoff can apply to almost every area of our lives: work, home, family, health, creativity...everything.

While we might be tempted to get swept up in the details of the 80%, it's critical to give that foundational 20% the attention it deserves. When we're focusing on the stuff that has the biggest payoff (and doing those things well), we can save time and energy in the end.

How can the 80/20 Rule help us work more efficiently as creatives, professionals and parents? What things in life are a part of the 20%, and which are the 80%? And should we drop that 80% altogether? (Spoiler alert: Not exactly. Find out why in the full episode.)

Basilico

Basilico

Vodka
Basilico
Basil meets a potpourri of unconventional fruits to make up this peculiar and exciting cocktail, Basilico. A basil cocktail is fitting for our episode on the 80/20 Rule—it's a strong herb where a little goes a long way. If you're not as big of a basil fan as we are, tone down the leaves and amp up the strawberries or other liqueurs to your liking. Fruits like peach and apple, which we don't often see in mixed drinks, are a welcome surprise any time of the year.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz. vodka
  • 1 oz. peach liqueur
  • 1 oz. apple liqueur
  • 1/2 oz. simple syrup
  • Lime juice
  • Basil leaves
  • Strawberries

Preparation

  1. To make the simple syrup, mix equal parts hot water and sugar until sugar is dissolved.
  2. Muddle the strawberry and basil leaves in a cocktail shaker.
  3. Pour in the remaining ingredients.
  4. Shake and serve in a glass filled with ice.
  5. Garnish with a strawberry.

Recipe via LAVO NY.

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