In 1906, an Italian economist observed that 80% of Italy’s wealth belonged to 20% of the population. The Pareto Principle is known as the 80-20 rule, because 80% of the output results from 20% of the input. For example, 20% of the customers create 80% of the revenue. This is an example of how most systems are not distributed evenly.

This has been used as a rule in everyday life, including an individual’s output. If you paint a room in your home, you can cover most of the wall with paint relatively quickly using a roller. The smaller area near the edges requires more time and preparation – applying masking tape, carefully manipulating the paint brush. Also, if you try to do a “perfect” job it can take more time and effort – applying the paint evenly, getting edges straight, applying more than one coat of paint. In this case, a good strategy would be start your day with the paint edging, if that is when you are at your peak energy level.

Can you identify other ways of applying the Pareto Principle in your everyday life?

The notion of multitasking is derived from the apparent ability of multitasking computers to do several things at once. However, to complete a task properly we must concentrate on it fully. What is going on in your mind while you are combining activities such as watching TV, listening to your iPod or using the computer?

A state of happiness is the benefit of being able to focus on the moment. If a task is complex , it is best to break it down into mini-tasks that can be completed before moving on to the next task.

Extreme relaxation achieved by meditation requires the mastery of abilities that can be seen as the total opposite of mental process of multitasking.

How can we be more creative? How can we learn to think outside the box?

A good way it to vary our daily routine and try new things. Doing this will help to remove the auto-pilot on our mind. Some examples of things to do:

• Drive to a usual destination by a new path. Can you plan a trajectory using online maps?
• Go to a restaurant and have something you never tried before.
• Ever taken a lesson of Tai Chi, Qi-Qong, Yoga, Taekwondo?
• Listen to a genre of music that you don’t usually like. What is the top hit this week?

Any suggestions?

This a method of attaining quick relaxation.

1. Rub the palm of your hands together very quickly to create heat from friction.
2. Close your eyes and place the palms of your hands over your eyes.
3. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth slowly and deeply three times. Imagine that as you breath in that a balloon in your abdomen is filling up. Count with each expiration…1…2…3.

Psychological resilience is your ability to cope with adversity.

How to strengthen your resilience:

• Have goals. Short term goals such as your daily to-do list. Long term goals such as learning a new skill.
• Remain positive and use humour when possible.
• Act on problems you can solve. Try to chip away at it with “baby steps”.
• Stay in shape physically and psychologically by exercising, eating well.

Can you suggest some other tips?

De-clutter the physical space around you and it will help you de-clutter you mind.

The first goal should be to clear all floors and flat surfaces such as countertops and desks.

Start with one area at a time such as the surface of your desk. Only have the essentials on the desk which may be your computer and your phone. Get rid of things you don’t use and put the rest away in a drawer or a closet (these areas will be your secondary goal for de-cluttering).

Everything else should be out of sight, out of mind. This will start the process which will clear the clutter in your own mind.