I’ve always lived unapologetically and have never been a fan of rules however I understand the need for them.
Some rules are meant to be broken while other rules help guide you in the right direction.
Here are 5 simple rules that changed my life:
1) 80/20 Rule
Also known as the Pareto Principle, I use this formula as a foundation in everything from habits, spending, diet, relationships, business, sales, expectations, etc. This rule suggests: 2% of your activities will account for 80% of your results.
The Pareto Principle works for several reasons. First, it highlights the fact that not all actions or efforts are equally important or valuable. By identifying the 20% of actions that are responsible for 80% of results, individuals and businesses can focus on what really matters and achieve more with less effort.
Second, the Pareto Principle encourages prioritization and time management. By focusing on the 20% of tasks that are most important or valuable, individuals can avoid wasting time on less important tasks and accomplish more in less time.
Finally, the Pareto Principle can help individuals and businesses identify areas for improvement. By analyzing where the 80/20 ratio is not working as expected, individuals can identify inefficiencies and work to optimize processes and systems.
2) Mel Robbin 5–4–3–2–1
Stressed, overthinking, hesitating, ruminating, negative thoughts… I countdown 5–4–3–2–1 and that thought instantly goes away. As Mel says, “hesitation is the kiss of death. You might hesitate for a just nanosecond, but that’s all it takes. That one small hesitation triggers a mental system that’s designed to stop you. And it happens in less than — you guessed it — five seconds.”
The 5-4-3-2-1 method works neurologically because it helps interrupt the default mode network (DMN) in the brain. The DMN is a network of brain regions that are activated when we’re not focused on a task or engaged in the outside world. It’s responsible for mind-wandering, daydreaming, and self-referential thinking.
When we’re faced with a task that requires action, the DMN can interfere with our ability to take action by generating negative thoughts, doubts, and distractions. The 5-4-3-2-1 method engages the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making, planning, and problem-solving.
The prefrontal cortex helps to inhibit the DMN and shift our focus to the present moment, which can help us overcome procrastination, anxiety, and other negative thought patterns. By taking action at the end of the countdown, we reinforce the connection between our thoughts and actions, which can help us develop positive habits and achieve our goals.
3) Warren Buffet 5/25
List 25 things you want to do in life, keep the top five, and cross everything else out. Time is money, burn out isn’t the goal. This is where prioritizing comes in handy!
4) 5-Minute Daily Habits
Commit to at least five minutes a day for something you love, or any habits you want to cultivate. It can be a book you wanted to read or even a workout. There is no such thing as no time because we make the time. Taking your time to do things consistently forms habits, and these mini-actions will be hard-wired into your brain. And once you start… there’s a high chance you’ll keep on going!
5) 90min Work Blocks
I aim to do a few blocks of deep, focused work in 90-minute time blocks for maximum productivity. Based on ultradian rhythms (or the rest-activity cycle), science says that our brain can last for 90 minutes at optimal levels before losing steam, after which it needs a roughly 20-minute break. These ultradian rhythms help to account for the ebb and flow of our energy throughout the day.
