Pareto Principle

You open your fridge. So much to see, yet nothing to eat. Wait, is that cheddar cheese back there?

You open your closet: nothing to wear. Guess it’s time to dig through the laundry bin...when’s laundry day again?

The Pareto Principle is the 80:20 rule: about 80% of effects are from 20% of causes. Of the 100% of stuff in your fridge, you only eat about 20%...the rest is condiments and old beer from last summer. Of the 100% of clothes you have, you only wear your favorite jeans and tees...about 20% of clothes you own.

Who was the first to recognize this omnipresent god...in your kitchen, in your room...everywhere? Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto was the one who noticed that 80% of Italy’s land was owned by 20% of its population.

Yep, the Pareto principle holds on the micro and macro levels. 80% of business comes from 20% of clients: the “regulars.” 80% of people have 20% of the wealth...that kind of thing. It all follows the Pareto distribution, whose math can be seen in nature. Beautiful, isn’t it? We know there’s 80% of your emotion behind those 20% of tears...you can’t hide the truth from us.