If you are a Realtor pursuing higher levels of success, you are likely familiar with the 80/20 rule (If not, definitely check out this post on the 80/20 rule for Realtors!

But have you heard about the 90/10 rule? It’s the Jedi-level skill for time management and productivity.

Back to Basics: Understanding the 80/20 Rule

First, a quick reminder: the 80/20 rule, or Pareto’s Principle, suggests that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts. In your real estate practice, this means identifying the key activities – like generating new business opportunities – that have the most direct impact on your desired goal. Stated more simply, the 80/20 rule is about blocking off time in your daily schedule to make sure you do the things that matter the most in your business.

The 90/10 Rule: Jedi-Level Productivity

So what is the 90/10 rule? Brian Tracy introduces the idea in his book Eat That Frog (a great gift idea for teenagers, by the way). It’s what you do once you have identified the critical 20% of your activities that will get you to your desired result the fastest. Simply stated, it’s time-blocking to time-block. What does that mean?? It’s regularly taking some time once/week to plan for and time-block your 20% activities for the following week. This rule is about strategic planning and prioritization.

How to Apply the 90/10 Rule

Applying the 90/10 rule is remarkably easy. Pick a time every week that you can regularly commit to. 20 minutes should be enough; no more than half an hour. Friday afternoon or Sunday evening is usually best. During this time, review your annual goals, and then your goals for the month. Then, pull up your calendar for the upcoming week. Does your calendar match your goals for the week? Have you organized your time to best complement your goals and set you up for success in your 20%? What do you need to change? What tasks must get done next week to keep you on track? When should you do those tasks?

This process – time-blocking to time-block – is where the magic happens. By dedicating specific time slots to your most impactful tasks, you ensure that your working hours are focused on actions that will move you closer to your goal.

Mastering the 80/20 Rule to Implement the 90/10 Rule

Start with mastering the 80/20 rule. Once you are familiar and consistent in identifying the critical 20% of your activities, you can effectively implement the 90/10 rule. This advanced approach optimizes the time spent on these activities, ensuring that every minute you spend actively pursuing a goal has the maximum impact on achieving your goal.

Remember, your time is your most valuable asset – use it wisely.