The 80/20 Rule stands as your ultimate weapon

Chems NOUIOUAChems NOUIOUA
2 min read

Surviving in an era of competition and rapid evolution in every field demands a diverse set of skills and a conctinuous learning attitude.

In this brief post, I'll unveil my secret weapon that has assisted me throughout the challenges I've faced in the past 13 years in the tech industry.

The 80/20 rule (also known as the Pareto Principle) has been, still is, and will always be my ultimate weapon.

Get it right!

Throughout my career, mastering new technical skills has always been a challenge, but I persevered until I got it right!

20% efforts = 80% outcomes

\= Concentrate on the essential elements that yield the most significant results.

Understand the challenge !

The real challenge here is identifying the key 20% of concepts, tools, or techniques that will contribute the most.

To address that, here are some steps:

1. Ask an expert or an experienced guru (The most efficient)
2. Check the most interview questions
3. Check job descriptions or requirements

Achieve!

Once you've identified the key 20%, concentrate your learning on these pivotal elements and allocate additional effort to master them, as they will have the most significant impact.

In practical terms, when learning a new programming language, instead of attempting to master every aspect, I prioritize the essentials:

  • Syntax

  • Core libraries

  • Fundamental design patterns

This focused approach enables me to promptly apply the acquired knowledge in real projects, solving actual scenarios and building experience as quickly as possible.

Embrace agility!

This isn't a one time strategy; it's an ongoing cycle. Complete the initial sprint (for those unfamiliar with development, envision it as the briefest timeframe to achieve something or obtain a measurable outcome), conduct a retrospective to identify pitfalls, and make necessary adjustments. As experience grows, ensure that focus remains on the key elements.

As learning is continuous, the 80/20 rule is an ultimate weapen that can be a game-changer in this era. By identifying and focusing on the key elements, you can boost your learning.

A final note, it's not about having comprehensive knowledge, but rather about mastering the essentials that are truly essential for accomplishing tasks.

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Written by

Chems NOUIOUA
Chems NOUIOUA

Senior Software Engineer, Senior Java Developer, Free Software & Open Source enthusiast.