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The 40-30-20-10 Rule of Time Management

Every piece of time management advice you've ever received is based on the fundamental premise that you should spend more concentrated time on what matters most and less or no time on distractions from what matters most. The problem is that that option is rarely black and white but rather loaded with a variety of things that matter in various shades of grey. You'll need a way to consider these hues.

The 40-30-20-10 rule will do that for you and provide you with a framework for time management.

The 40-30-20-10 rule:

  • 40% of your time should be spent on your top priority.
  • 30% on your secondary priority.
  • 20% on your third and 10% on everything else combined.

According to the 40-30-20-10 rule, you should spend twice as much time on your top priority as you do on your third. Every animal is created equal. Some people have more equality than others. In general, your main priority will have a considerably greater influence than anything else you undertake.