The 80/20 Rule
I was talking to one of my friends about daily life occurrences and he brought up the Pareto Principle, which is also known as the 80/20 rule. In it’s fundamental meaning, it refers to the concept that 80% of wealth/income is held by 20% of the people, or 80% of the results comes from 20% of the work. I’ll leave the philosophical to the philosophical. I figured we could take that same principle and apply it to our everyday lives. Like I’ve said before, sometimes it’s the simple things…like using a Trojan as opposed to some bootleg brand because it was free. Well not really, but I felt like saying that. Nonetheless, let’s begin shall we?
Sex Sex Sex Sexy Time
We talk about relationships enough on this blog, so I figured I’d apply the 80/20 rule to that. Given that at least 90% of the readers here have had sex, it’s safe to say that most of us love it. In the context of a relationship, a lot of folks have shared their views on it’s importance in a relationship. Despite those who say it isn’t the most important aspect of a relationship, it definitely carries a lot of weight.
For example, you could be dating someone and life seems peachy cuz the sex game is mean. You could have absolutely nothing else in common, but if the sex is Pizzlin the relationship seems better than it really is. Good sex will also make you stay with someone longer than normal if other aspects of the relationship are failing. Given that there are so many elements of a relationship, I think for the purpose of this post I can say that good physical chemistry should/could be only about 20% of the relationship, but it can provide a helluva lot of the success/longevity. Of course this may not be applicable across the board, but it makes sense if you don’t take it to the extreme. Example…
Friend 1: Girl, you need to leave his ass. He ain’t good for you. Look at how crazy he got you actin.
Friend 2: I know, but he puts me to sleep better than Nyquil. Just last night he had me hittin them notes. I can’t walk wide-legged away from that…
Friend 1: Girl…is it really that good?
Friend 2: Yes.
Friend 1: Nevermind. Things will get better.
Aight, so that was a bit of an exaggeration but I think you get my point.
The J-O-B
For most of us, our 9-5 doesn’t really require us to be there from 9-5. If you’re lucky enough to have Internet access from work, think of how much time you spend window shopping, reading blogs, visiting celebrity news sites, or hanging out on ESPN.com. If you don’t have Internet access, think of how much time you spend emailing friends and deleting. 20% of what you do daily may account for 80% of what they’re paying you for. Dude in Office Space was on to something. I’m not tryna be a construction worker though.
The Reversal
This example is the 80/20 rule in reverse. One of my other friends was tellin me about a bathroom incident. Not number uno…deuce bigaload. He was rushed out of the bathroom because he had to be somewhere. He said he accomplished 80% of the task, but only felt 20% relieved. The moral of this story…don’t rush your bathroom trips.
Bring It on Home Slim!
There are a lot of examples where the 80/20 rule or some percentage variation thereof has legitimacy in our daily lives. I had a few other examples, but thought it would be more entertaining to hear from the readers. What other examples can folks apply this to? Feel free to dispute any of my examples as well. I already had someone disagree and I didn’t even finish the post at that point.
Interestingly enough, 80% of our comments are provided by less than 20% of our daily visitors. Let’s change that statistic!
Don’t rush me when I’m sittin on the throne,
P.S. Since Ziggy Linden mentioned the following video, I figured I’d include it for all to see. Pure comedy. Hopefully this is it. I can’t tell cuz I’m at work. Enjoy!
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Dead @ sex sex sexy time scenario.
I just have to say this is so true. My friends and I are guilty of this all the time. Like seriously…oh he was yelling at you last night, but the make-up sex was bomb…girl…give him one more chance.
“20% of what you do daily may account for 80% of what they’re paying you for.”
“He said he accomplished 80% of the task, but only felt 20% relieved. The moral of this story…don’t rush your bathroom trips.”
How many drinks had you had?
I wholeheartedly concur. If only they really knew.
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Though I hate to quote Dr. Phil, he actually would agree with your sex, sex, sexy time scenario. I once heard him say that (and I am paraphrasing cause it was 6 years ago) when the sex is good in a relationship sex is only 5% of the issues you have in a relationship, but when the sex is bad in a relationship (either due to lack of skill or one partner holding out) it is 95% of the issues in your relationship. so though the percentages are off, I still think he would agree with you.
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LMAO at sex, sex, sexy…
I don’t have any examples to add bc we have been getting deep over at the “treehouse” (aka The Comeback Girl) and my brain power is gone.
Next time, I’m visiting you first!
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Slim Jackson Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I need to drop by the tree house today and see what’s good over there. I’m sure I’ll be lost in the wave of comments by the time I visit.lol. But yeah, examples and debate are welcomed on this one.
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Nicki Sunshine Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
You will be lost trying to catch up… it was BANANAS today (I just channelled my inner Ashanti. LMAO!)
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I concur. And to add one example, dudes only like 20% of the female population but will give the pumpington to 80%
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Slim Jackson Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
This reminds me of a point I once made…
Dudes will be conversating (yes, conversating) about how bad a chick is. Someone may be like “ehhh, I’d beat.” I tried to explain that nowadays sayin “I’d beat’ really doesn’t mean anything cuz it’s a given.lol.
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reign Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
okay, now i tried to have this conversation with a guy friend a few years ago. we were on a lunch break at ChickfilA and these nice looking dudes walked in. we were on our way out and one of the dudes said yea i’d hit it. i didn’t hear but my friend did and he told me. what does that mean? like at first sight i’m only good for sex? so disrespectful, or am i thinking about it the wrong way?
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Slim Jackson Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
You may be interpreting the wrong way.lol. It’s a dude’s way of saying you’re acceptable to the eyes even while he is sober. Though, he could mean more than that. It’s like saying “Yeah, she meets my minimum requirement”. It’s not a diss or insult. It’s a roundabout compliment of sorts I guess…usually.
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Nyela Goodness Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
“Dudes will be conversating (yes, conversating)”
SMH and banging it against the wall…
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Southern Belle Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
In the same respect 20% of the male population is unanimously attractive, while the other 80% get a foot in the door (not a ‘foot’ in the ‘door’) because: a) swag, b) they slip past the radar, or c) looked different with 3+ drinks and the lights dim.
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Vanessa aka Miss V Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I concur with this one!
btw, the video is HILARIOUS… she was so serious…
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lamo! “deuce bigaload???” wow… and yea I spend a nice chunk of my work day reading blogs. discover something new everyday.
i can’t think of another example. that was an interesting take with the sex sexy example. i can’t say i relate but i know people that have been and are. the sex is always good but most of my interaction with my guy at the time is not sexual. so compatibility is a must, no second or third date without it. hmmm… i think i have an example but let me think about it some more.
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I needs to work “sex, sex, sexy time”, “deuce bigaload”, and “pumpington” into real life convo. It shouldn’t be that hard, right?
Also, this (bolded for emphasis):
“For most of us, our 9-5 doesn’t really require us to be there from 9-5. If you’re lucky enough to have Internet access from work, think of how much time you spend window shopping, reading blogs, visiting celebrity news sites, or hanging out on ESPN.com.”
Is probably the best example of 80/20 ever. And yes, your blog is part of the problem, not the solution.
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The hilarity of this post is unmistakable. I agree with the sex, sex, sexy thing.
Good wang is such a problem. (In a good way or maybe not) I have a rule. If we are fighting, but we don’t really resolve it, yet we have sex. The fight is dead. We cannot revisit. Make-up sex is just that.
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Nyela Goodness Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
That’s a GREAT rule!
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ummm i have a real life example of this…SHOPPING! I will be some shoes that are lets say 20% cute if they are on an 80% sale!
I’ve been racking my brain to think of an example…hope its a good one!
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I think this applies to sex in general too. 20% of what you are doing is accounting for 80% of the other person’s satisfaction.
Its the same reason you have so many “OK” lovers … their happy with a B- … while its those with that determination who strive for more.
Oh … and programming too. 20% of your time took you to get 80% complete … but its that last gotdamn bug which sucks up the rest of your time.
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Jac Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Hmmmm….ok…I can go with this…Honestly it requires very little of the right man’s time to have me up to speed. The other 80% is like a Christmas bonus.
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Slim Jackson Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I talk to programmers all day, so I can somewhat sympathize on this one.lol.
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Hmmm…
How about college… about 20% of what you learn (academics) is paid for by about 80% of the money you put out (tuition).
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Slim Jackson Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
This is a good one. Def works.
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According to this lady right here (http://www.blackbottom.com/watch.php?v=XmMs1Z2KQ2C) Sex Sex Sex Sexy Time is called Penis Power. Check her out she is so funny.
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Slim Jackson Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
If that link is what I think it is, the sh*t is like 10 minutes of hilarity.
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InsomnaPoet Reply:
December 8th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Have seen her before she is COMEDY!
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i just said it to you via im but i will say it here too… you are sooo silly!!!
this 80/20 shit is real tho… it does bring me back to tyler perry’s “why did i get married” when he was referring to marriage/relationships being 80 and you’re JO’s being the 20.
i agree with that but i also think it’s important to note that if you’re looking for the total 100, you gotta have both!!! jk… really…lol
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I am definitaly with you on the JOB part. I am only doing 20% of work while getting paid for 80%. I work for a home health agency and I’m salary and I only had 3 patients today. I came home and took a 2 hr nap in between 2 of them and was still finished with work before 5 pm.
That Video, Man!
1. It’s true. Hilariously true and unfortunately true.
2. I have never heard of that show before so after I pushed play, I had to pause it 10 seconds later and send my 3 kids out of the room. My 13 yr old had a good little laugh before I ushered him out.
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@ Vanessa & Sheila…that video had my abs hurtin like months ago. SMH. ohh the laughter.
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Another interesting application of the 80/20 rule, that I actually came across while studying for my final.
Healthcare costs, 20% of people amount for 80% of the high costs.
Doesn’t that just piss you off, healthy people?
Slim, that could be a WHOLE other blog topic…do people think that if you have a low BMI, don’t smoke, or for the most part have a health screening and are healthy, that you should pay the same health premium as someone who is 300lbs overweight, smokes 3 packs a day, etc.
I’ll get off my HR soapbox now.
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Slim Jackson Reply:
December 9th, 2008 at 9:42 am
You know, that’s actually a good point. I was thinking about that sorta this morning as I was smushed between (2) 400 pound people on the train smelling uncouth.
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Steph Reply:
December 9th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Haha, yeah. It is kind of frustrating to me. I mean I do realize some people have health conditions they can’t help. But, when healthcare costs are on average 3x higher for smokers, and the costs are absorbed by each “life” in the plan…that kind of sucks! I don’t like the idea of paying for someone elses lifestyle.
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ok…the vid is a crackup….i sent it out to friends for some monday humor…lol
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