We’ve all heard of the famous 80/20 rule.

Known as the “Pareto Principle,” it’s a useful tool for prioritizing activities, allocating resources, and mastering time management. It’s often used to illustrate how efforts and consequences are usually not distributed evenly. For instance, 20% of workers produce 80% of the output, 20% of customers create 80% of the revenue, 20% of salespeople generate 80% of the results, and so on.

Examples are endless — 20% of criminals commit 80% of crimes, 20% of earners pay 80% of taxes, etc. It’s not science, but it’s uncannily accurate.

A Pareto Principle Insight

One of my personal 80/20 insights was that 80% of my goals came true by merely writing them down (the other 20% happen through hard work and perseverance). So, Pareto applies to many areas of human endeavor. And although it’s only approximate, the 80/20 rule supports a simple and effective view of life.  

Now, allow me to propose another, perhaps shocking, application: 

Applying the Pareto Principal to Your Beliefs

80% of everything I believe is wrong, misleading, and harmful. That leaves about 20% of what I believe as being correct, truthful, and beneficial. 

Surprised? I was! The discovery that my negative, erroneous thinking (80%) was eclipsing my positive, correct thinking (20%) is based on two deductions: 

● 80% of what I believe today is based in the past — from either my parents or my peer groups, and does not accurately serve who I intend to be.

● The beliefs and opinions that control my decisions and actions in this present moment were mostly formed years ago. And not by me! 

For better or worse, outside forces in our distant past shape our lives. 

As a mature and mindful adult, the idea that 80% of my current beliefs originated decades ago (via parents, teachers, peers, etc.) is troubling. But science backs it up. Much of “who we are” is set in our earliest developmental years, before age 3. As our brain keeps developing through age 18, we’re shaped by our environment. 

Where do our thoughts and beliefs come from?

Reflecting on these insights compels me to consciously ask myself in the moment, “Where is this thought or belief coming from? Is this what I truly think about the subject — or is it a conditioned response from deep in my past? Am I simply reacting unconsciously on cue like Pavlov’s Dog?”

What is truly “me” and what is just “learned behavior” I acquired by osmosis? 

Prioritizing Your Beliefs

One way I preserve and prioritize my own true beliefs is to intentionally reduce my exposure to negativity and group thinking. As a result, I’ve stopped viewing TV news and reading the paper. Most folks consider it normal to ingest a daily dose of the latest crises, scandals, murders, and injustice before dinner. My concern is that the bad news will shape my beliefs and my world view.  

Instead of relying on mass media to shape my thought life, I’ve developed the habit of beginning and ending each day with inspirational input. For example, I’m currently reading The Power of Beliefs in Business by Ari Weinzweig. Written by my friend and mentor, this ground-breaking book gives me a new lens to view the world and challenges me to question my beliefs: 

● “Is what I am thinking and how I am interpreting events based on my beliefs in the present — or something I was exposed to in the past?” 

● “Is this belief giving me energy and serving my bigger future — or limiting who I am and where I intend to go? Is this thought pattern feeding my soul and greater purpose — or is it limiting my intended contribution to the world?” 

Start Fresh Every Day

Each day is an opportunity to start fresh. But only if my practices and processes are designed to create healthy beliefs and overwrite the old code inside my brain.

Remember, 80% of what we know or believe is probably wrong, outdated, prejudiced, biased, pessimistic, or harmful. The key question to ask ourselves is: “Exactly who is in charge right now, me or my past?”

(Coming up in my next Blog, “Beliefs Part 2: This I Believe”)