80/20

The 80/20 rule applies to video editing as well as training for triathlon. Its primary stipulation, the 80 part, states that success (in the form of completion) will be sooner realized if the bulk of the work, the mundane, the tedious filler content is laid down, assembled and done first. If, as an example, my goal is to create a one-hour video detailing and documenting a bicycle trip I would drag and drop media into the timeline in whatever order I choose, chronological, emotional or theatrical. Once that workmanlike effort of 80 is completed I can then retrace my steps adding the modern 20 of obligatory effects, filters, transitions, augmentations and texts. I find this a productive way to manage the flow, keep my interest high and energy focused.

It is interestingly similar to training for a sporting event. You have the race day circled on your calendar with a fat red sharpie. Working backwards from that date, you schedule blocks of time necessary for a safe and successful ramp up. You do the 80 percent as base building, adding the finishing touches of strategy, tactics, nutrition, taper and the sometimes frustrating logistics of travel into the mix. These days I find it rewarding to see the 80 percent in the form of consistency. If I can push my fitness even a tiny bit past the six days I currently train per week, I feel confident I can meet the event challenge with a high probability of success. There is, or should be, some fine print here. Professional miners of data would quickly point out that I am now in a demographic where our 80/20 ratio actually points out the sad fact that we have already beat 80 percent of those who began this crazy sport so many years ago through mere longevity and that now all that is required to win is to finish. Or that at any given event I stand an 80 percent chance of winning with only 20 percent of my former speed, power and endurance remaining. An interesting spin.

In either example, and I confess to slight exaggeration on the latter, the idea is to get the bulk of the work done first. Write the four verses to start and the chorus will almost write itself. Read ten classics before Robbins, McCarthy or Kerouac. Build your foundation first. Capture the media required to tell your story. Shoot to edit. Ride indoors until the sun shines and then take it out and let ‘er rip. Build your base through gradually increasing miles. With a solid base, gratitude and respect, your efforts will be returned to you in the form of satisfaction and accomplishment roughly 80 percent of the time.

The other 20 percent of the time you will be disappointed, sorry, but this happens. At the finish line of a video project or an Olympic Triathlon, if you are not satisfied with the results, go back to work and find a way to move the ratio closer to 70/30. Your foundation is build, start to gradually (or otherwise) add the details that will push the narrative of your story. Get faster. Add more detail. Make the decision to commit to championship levels. Be a pro. Be fearless and dedicated to your craft. Ensure that your awareness is always in the present tense.

Maybe your true ratio is closer to 50/50, where the bulk is already done and all that is holding you back is either a poor ACQ or lack of adequate tools, training or equipment. Please also remember that luck is the residue of design.

If your creative attitude and athletic character quotient is currently ‘on’ 80 percent of the time, you will achieve whatever goals you have established for yourself.

If you would like to test this theory, take today and use it as an experiment of one. Pretty simple, answer the following question with brutal honesty:

Are you using 80 percent of your time today pushing your personal, creative and athletic agenda?