The 80/20 Rule for Solopreneurs: How to Work Less and Earn More

As a solopreneur, your time is your most valuable asset. But if you’re constantly working long hours and still not seeing the results you want, it’s time to rethink your approach.

Enter the 80/20 Rule—also known as the Pareto Principle. This simple but powerful concept can help you work smarter, not harder, by focusing on the small actions that drive the biggest results.

Ready to start earning more while doing less? Let’s break it down.

What Is the 80/20 Rule?

The 80/20 Rule states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. In other words:

• 80% of your income likely comes from 20% of your clients or products

• 80% of your engagement likely comes from 20% of your marketing efforts

• 80% of your time might be spent on tasks that don’t actually grow your business

The key to working less and earning more? Identify the most valuable 20% of your activities—and do more of those while eliminating distractions.

Step 1: Identify Your Most Profitable Activities

Start by analyzing your business and asking:

• Where is my revenue coming from? (Which services/products bring in the most money?)

• Which clients or customers are the most valuable? (Who pays the most with the least effort?)

• What marketing efforts drive the most engagement or sales?

Once you spot the high-impact 20%, double down on those activities and cut back on time-wasting ones.

Step 2: Eliminate or Automate the 80% That’s Holding You Back

Many solopreneurs waste time on tasks that don’t actually move the needle. Here’s how to trim the fat:

• Stop doing low-value tasks (Answering emails all day, tweaking your website endlessly)

• Automate repetitive work (Use scheduling tools for social media & email marketing)

• Outsource tasks when possible (Hire a virtual assistant for admin work)

The less time you spend on low-impact work, the more time you’ll have to focus on what truly grows your business.

Step 3: Focus on High-Value Clients and Offers

Instead of trying to serve everyone, focus on the 20% of customers who bring the most value.

• Raise your prices (Charge premium rates for premium service)

• Niche down (Cater to a specific audience that values your expertise)

• Create scalable offers (Courses, templates, memberships = more income, less work)

By prioritizing high-value clients and scalable income streams, you’ll increase earnings while reducing workload.

Step 4: Set Boundaries & Protect Your Time

To truly work less, you need clear boundaries:

• Time block your work hours & stick to them

• Say NO to low-value opportunities that drain your energy

• Prioritize rest & self-care (A burnt-out solopreneur isn’t productive)

By protecting your time, you’ll have more energy for the tasks that actually grow your business.

Final Thoughts: Work Smarter, Not Harder

The 80/20 Rule is a game-changer for solopreneurs who want to break free from the hustle trap. By focusing on the 20% of efforts that drive 80% of results, you’ll work less and earn more—without the burnout.

Action Step:

Take 10 minutes today to analyze your business. What’s your most valuable 20%? What can you cut, automate, or outsource? Make a plan and start working smarter today!

Need help? Book a 1:1 coaching call with me here.

More of a DIY solopreneur? Check out my Solopreneur Playbook course.