In 2006, we made the leap. We burned our ships in the Netherlands and chased the dream in Spain.
We were after the perfect life: endless sunshine, pristine beaches, beautiful nature, laid-back people, and of course, a little bit of work for our own business.
But the truth? We worked. Hard.
We did everything ourselves—every email, every booking, finance, operational tasks, working in the business and working on the business. Every. Single. Thing. 24/7.
Hard work wasn’t the problem; it was the relentless grind.
At some point, we realized: “We can’t live like this forever.”
But how do you break the cycle?
Coming from a Special Forces background, my answer to everything had always been the same:
“If you’re lacking in talent, you make up for it by working even harder.”
Then I discovered a game-changer.
In 2008, I picked up The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. I was drawn in by the title, but the content transformed my life.
There’s a saying, “The difference between where you are now and where you’ll be in five years is the books you read and the people you meet.”
For me, this was one of those pivotal books.
One principle from the book shook me awake—the Pareto Principle.
The 80/20 Rule: Where the Magic Lies
Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist from the 1900s, discovered that 80% of Italy’s land was owned by just 20% of the population.
This led him to investigate a recurring pattern: disproportionate results from a small portion of causes.
The findings are astonishing:
– 20% of roads carry 80% of the traffic.
– 20% of plants produce 80% of the harvest.
– 20% of your clothes are worn 80% of the time.
And it doesn’t stop there:
– 20% of your staff creates 80% of your results.
– 20% of your products generate 80% of your profits.
– 20% of your actions create 80% of your happiness.
This principle applies to everything—even your time.
Let’s break it down: 20% of your daily activities create 80% of your desired results.
The downside?
The other 80% of your time is responsible for only 20% of your results.
Think about that for a moment.
If you’re working 40 hours a week to earn €70,000 a year, do you think doubling your hours will double your income?
Not a chance.
The reality is, not all work is created equal.
Here’s where the 80/20 Rule shines.
If 20% of your tasks create 80% of your results, what happens if you focus on those high-impact tasks?
What if you stopped wasting time on the 80% that barely moves the needle?
8020-Thinking has given me time, freedom, and the ability to enjoy my success.
Will it do the same for you?
Your time is precious.
Don’t waste it on the 80% that barely moves the needle.
Start focusing on the few things that truly matter, and reclaim your life.
PS: The picture: “This-can´t-go-on-like this-much-longer-moment.” 😉
How to free up 80% of your time…
