How the 80/20 Rule Can Help You Get More Done (Without Doing It All)

Have you ever had one of those days where you are going nonstop, but when you stop to look around, you wonder, “What did I even get done today?”

You’re not alone.

Many moms are working hard every day, but not always focusing on the right things.

I’m going to show you how the 80/20 rule can help you stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling on top of things.

Plus, I’ll show you how to spot your most important tasks, share some examples from mom life, and help you make small changes that will lead to big results.

What Is the 80/20 Rule?

The 80/20 rule, also called the Pareto Principle, says that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts.

This idea is used in business, productivity, and time management, and it works in mom life too.

Think about it:

You might spend hours cleaning, but just wiping the kitchen counters and picking up the living room can give you 80% of that “clean house” feeling.
You might have 20 things on your to-do list, but only two of them really make your day smoother.

The 80/20 rule helps you do less, but with more purpose.

It gives you permission to stop wasting energy on things that don’t really matter.

Remember: Being busy is not the same as being productive.
The goal is not to do everything—it’s to do the right things.

How to Find Your 20%

You might be asking, “How do I know what my important 20% is?”

Here are a few simple ways to figure it out:

1. Do a Time and Energy Check

Spend two days doing a time audit, writing down how you spend your time.

Notice how each task makes you feel.

Ask yourself:

Does this task drain me?
Did this task make my day easier or better?

You’ll start to see which tasks actually move you forward—and which ones are just busywork.

2. Ask: What Are My Top 3?

Each day, ask yourself: “If I could only do three things today, what would make the biggest difference?”

This helps you zoom in on what matters most.

3. Notice What Brings Results

Look at your week and notice:

What tasks made your day easier?
What small habits kept your week from feeling crazy?

For example, 10 minutes of meal planning might help your whole week feel smoother. More than organizing that junk drawer.

4. Look at Stress vs. Peace

Pay attention to what is stressing you out and what makes you feel calm.

Your 20% usually includes the things that bring peace, like prepping lunches the night before or having a clear plan for the morning.

5. Know Your Season

Be honest about what season of life you are in.

New baby? Focus on sleep and simple routines.
School-age kids? You might need more calendar management.

Don’t compare yourself to moms in a different season.

Own your season and focus on what you need most right now.

(For more on this, check out Episode 218 where I talk about thriving in busy seasons.)

Real Life 80/20 Rule Examples for Moms

Here are some real ways you can use the 80/20 rule in your everyday life:

Meal Planning

80% of your family’s meals probably come from 20% of your favorite recipes.
Focus on rotating your go-to meals instead of trying to cook new things every week.
You can also batch prep a few ingredients instead of doing full meal preps that don’t get eaten.

House Cleaning

20% of your home (like the kitchen, bathrooms, and entryway) creates 80% of the “clean house” feeling.
Focus on resetting these spaces daily instead of deep cleaning every room.
Quick wins like wiping counters or straightening pillows can make a huge difference.

Tech and Communication

20% of your apps or emails give you 80% of your important information.
Unfollow or mute social media accounts that drain you.
Batch your text and email replies instead of checking them all day.

Final Reminders

The 80/20 rule is a simple but powerful mindset shift:

80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts.
You don’t have to do it all.
You just need to focus on what matters most.

You are not behind—you’ve just been spreading your energy too thin. Now it’s time to simplify and focus on the few things that really move you forward.

Doing less doesn’t make you lazy.
It makes you wise.

You are already doing so much. Just imagine how great it will feel to do even less—but see even better results.

Your Challenge

This week, pick one area of your life—like meals, cleaning, or parenting—and figure out your 20%.

Notice what tasks or routines give you the biggest wins.

If you want an extra boost:

Write down your top three “needle movers” for the week.
Put them somewhere you will see them, like on your fridge, planner, or Trello board.

Also, check out Episode 237 where I talk about choosing the right next steps when life feels overwhelming.

You don’t need more time—you need more clarity.

The magic isn’t in doing everything—it’s in doing the right few things really well.

Give yourself permission to let go of the rest.

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