In the 19th century the Italian sociologist and the economist Vilfredo Pareto, being engaged in the analysis of factors of efficiency of different types of activity, formulated the law which received the late name "Pareto principle". Calculations of the scientist allowed to develop useful recommendations about optimization of results of actions for achievement of success in any undertakings.
In the most general view the Pareto principle is formulated so: "20% of your efforts lead to 80% of useful result, and the remained 80% of efforts yield only 20% of result". A practical conclusion from this law assumes that having competently chosen the minimum of important actions, you are able to receive the main part from the end result. According to Pareto's calculations, any subsequent improvements in activity over the enclosed minimum of efforts will be inefficient.
The ratio 80/20 which is been the basis for the Pareto principle, of course, should not be considered mathematically exact, it gives only a reference point. The provided figures reflect only private results of the researches of Pareto concerning distribution of income in the Italian households. In other data sets the ratio can differ from the standard a little. Pareto recommended to carry out in the analysis of each concrete distribution the special analysis between results of activity and resources spent for their achievement.
Accounting of the Pareto principle in everyday life and business allows to facilitate significantly the solution of the tasks facing the person. If to consider that from each ten daily actions only two will give the lion's share of success, then it makes sense to define more precisely them and to leave as priority. For the businessman, for example, it is important to know that only 20% of clients will provide them 80% of profit. The analysis of monthly structure of profit will allow to reveal that segment of the market which just and yields the maximum result. Following the Pareto principle, it is possible to try to increase effectiveness of the life, without having got bogged down in inefficient daily affairs. The modern person spends very most part of time behind phone calls, but only their fifth part is really important. Having reconsidered the former approach to communication, it is possible to reduce considerably time spent on those people, communication with whom is caused only by habitual need. The principle 80/20 demonstrates that often people live not with all the might and spend the potential in vain. As a consolation only the fact that the law output by the Italian economist concerns all, including political figures, writers, great inventors and even Olympic champions can serve.