Nature and the 80/20 Universal* (2024)

Vilfredo Pareto’s logic, known as the 80/20 rule, applies in many fields, from economics to technology. But what many do not know is that this is also found in nature, in every corner of our planet and in each of the processes that take place on it

Nature and the 80/20 Universal* (2)

In geological processes, for example, the 80/20 rule can be observed in the formation of minerals and rocks. The 20% most common minerals represent 80% of the rocks found in the Earth’s crust (feldspar, quartz, mica, amphiboles, and pyroxene). Quantum physics also follows this logic, as 20% of subatomic particles are responsible for 80% of the mass of the universe (protons, electrons, and neutrons).

In biology, the 80/20 rule is reflected in the diversity of species of fauna and flora. The 20% of animal and plant species are responsible for 80% of the planet’s biomass (trees, phytoplankton, cows, and pigs). In chemistry, the 20% most common elements are responsible for 80% of the matter we know (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen).

This rule can also be observed in the predator-prey relationship, where the 20% most active predators are responsible for 80% of prey deaths (lions and hyenas in the Serengeti ecosystem).

In the business world, 20% of customers generate 80% of revenue.

The 80/20 rule also applies to human behavior and decision-making. 20% of the actions we take are responsible for 80% of the results we obtain.

This universal rule is found from quantum physics to biology and economics, demonstrating how nature follows a constant and coherent pattern.

Nature and the 80/20 Universal* (2024)

FAQs

What is the 80 20 rule of nature? ›

The 80/20 Rule asserts that a minority of causes, inputs, or efforts usually lead to a majority of the results, outputs, or rewards. The 80/20 split is not hard-and-fast as to every situation. It's a scientific theory based on empirical data. The real percentages in certain situations can be 99/1 or an equal 50/50.

What is the 80/20 rule in simple terms? ›

The Pareto principle states that for many outcomes, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes. In other words, a small percentage of causes have an outsized effect.

What is the 80 20 rule studying method? ›

The Pareto Principle, often called the 80/20 rule, is the broad observation that approximately 80% of outcomes or results come from about 20% of your inputs or effort. Therefore you should concentrate on areas where you can get 'big wins' with comparatively little effort.

Is the 80-20 rule universal? ›

Pareto's 80/20 Rule

This “universal truth” about the imbalance of inputs and outputs is what became known as the Pareto principle, or the 80/20 rule. While it doesn't always come to be an exact 80/20 ratio, this imbalance is often seen in various business cases: 20% of the sales reps generate 80% of total sales.

What is the 80-20 rule step by step? ›

Steps to apply the 80/20 Rule
  1. Identify all your daily/weekly tasks.
  2. Identify key tasks.
  3. What are the tasks that give you more return?
  4. Brainstorm how you can reduce or transfer the tasks that give you less return.
  5. Create a plan to do more that brings you more value.
  6. Use 80/20 to prioritize any project you're working on.
Mar 29, 2020

What is the 80-20 rule in relationships? ›

The 80/20 relationship theory states that you can only get about 80% of your wants and needs from a healthy relationship, while the remaining 20% you need to provide for yourself. Sounds like the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a spa day. This idea of an 80/20 time split is nothing new.

What is the 80-20 rule in relationships cheating? ›

80% of your needs are being met by your partner, and you're figuring out the other 20% on your own. When the 80/20 rule is applied to infidelity, the theory is that when someone cheats, they're attracted to the 20% in someone else that they were missing from their partner.

Which statement best describes the 80-20 rule? ›

80/20 Rule – The Pareto Principle. The 80/20 Rule (also known as the Pareto principle or the law of the vital few & trivial many) states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

What is the 80-20 rule lesson plan? ›

In simplest terms, about 80 percent of the results come from 20 percent of activities. Just a small number of tasks account for the majority of progress. The key then is to identify those key areas and focus energy there. This 80/20 rule has permeated time management literature and talks; it's honestly not a new idea.

What is the 80-20 rule of knowledge? ›

The 80/20 rule, or the Pareto Principle, states that 80% of your efforts lead to 20% of your results, and vice-versa. This means that 80% of your study book gives you 20% of your knowledge and insights. Also, 20% of your book gives you 80% of your knowledge. The 80/20 rule is also called the Pareto Principle.

How do you visualize the 80-20 rule? ›

The Pareto chart is a visual representation of the 80-20 rule, featuring a bar + line chart. The bars represent the value of each item on your list (arranged in descending order), and the line indicates the cumulative percentage of those values.

What is the 80/20 rule in life? ›

The 80-20 rule maintains that 80% of outcomes comes from 20% of causes. The 80-20 rule prioritizes the 20% of factors that will produce the best results. A principle of the 80-20 rule is to identify an entity's best assets and use them efficiently to create maximum value.

What is the 80 20 principle summary? ›

"The 80/20 Principle asserts that a minority of cause, input, or effort usually lead to a majority of the results, outputs, or rewards." "Celebrate exceptional productivity, rather than raise average efforts. Look for the short cut, rather than run the full course.

What is the 80 20 lifestyle? ›

The 80/20 rule is a guide for your everyday diet—eat nutritious foods 80 percent of the time and have a serving of your favorite treat with the other 20 percent. For the “80 percent” part of the plan, focus on drinking lots of water and eating nutritious foods that include: Whole grains.

What is the 80-20 rule for climate change? ›

The Pareto principle (also known as the 80/20 rule, the law of the vital few, or the principle of factor sparsity) states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. This is also true in the case of global CO2 emissions.

What is the 80/20 rule for decluttering? ›

'The 80/20 rule is the concept that we use 20% of what we own 80% of the time,' says Sara Bereika, founder of Sara Jane Organizing. 'That means the remaining 80% (the stuff we use less frequently) is clutter. More than ever many of us have aspirations to live more simple lives.

Which concept suggests the 80-20 rule? ›

suggests that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. This principle has found applications in various fields, offering valuable insights into productivity, resource.

What is the 20 3 5 nature rule? ›

The basics: We can improve our mental health by spending 20 minutes outside each day, five hours in a natural setting each month, and three days in a more wild, off-grid setting each year.

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