The Downfall Of Every 'Movement'

When I first entered the job market and started at a place stupid enough to hire me, I quickly learned that I was lazy and did just enough to not get fired. It took me a while to learn discipline as I was still living at home and my bills were nil. However, soon after I moved out of my parents' house I learned that coasting wasn’t going to cut it as the bills were piling up.  

When I was promoted to management, it was easy for me to spot those like my former self. Unfortunately, many of those employees were not kids living at home, but adults with families. I constructed scenarios in my mind as to why these people, who obviously had bills to pay, wouldn’t work harder, whether it be for a promotion or to just get a performance-based raise. The scenarios I came up with were plentiful, but then it finally occurred to me that maybe that’s the way these people were. Pareto’s 80/20 rule is easily invoked when the totality of a workplace is considered. And even though I became part of the 20%, it’s still hard for me to forget that I was once part of the 80%

I don’t care if you’re running a business, planning a wedding with a huge wedding party or part of a political movement, the reality is that there are many who will barely lift a finger to help. Sure, some of the 80% will be boisterous, and in many cases insufferable, but without them the 20% would be left to do everything. And if you are part of the 20%, you need to remember that the Pareto distribution is also to be applied to the amount of time you give the 80%. Never give them more than 20% of your time (in my opinion, give them even less). Time is your most valuable resource, and when working toward a goal, misallocating it can be the difference between success and failure. 

One last thing. Be sure the goal you’re working toward is worth your time and effort. There is nothing worse than mistaking activity for success.