Tag: Lifelong Learning

The 95:5 Rule

The 95:5 rule

Have you heard of the 95:5 Rule? Based on research by Professor John Dawes, this rule states that at any given time, only about 5% of buyers are actively in-market for a particular product category. The remaining 95% represent future buyers who will enter the market when the need arises.

But what does this have to do with your career? Turns out, quite a bit.

Think of your career journey like a long hike. At any given point, you’re actively exploring a small number of opportunities – maybe 5% of what’s out there. These could be new roles within your company, a promotion you’re chasing, or skills you’re actively developing. This is your “in-market” 5%.

However, the vast majority of potential paths are not yet on your immediate radar. They represent the 95% of future possibilities that will become relevant as your circumstances and goals evolve over time. Just like a hiker can’t see the entire trail at once, you can’t pursue every career option simultaneously.

To make the most of the 95:5 Rule in your career:

  1. Actively invest in the 5% – Give your full energy to the opportunities you’re currently pursuing. Whether it’s crushing your current role, learning a new skill, or interviewing for a dream job, be “in-market” with gusto.
  2. Keep an open mind to the 95% – Don’t get tunnel vision. Keep scanning the horizon for new possibilities, even if you’re not ready to pursue them yet. This could mean attending industry events, growing your network, or simply staying curious.
  3. Trust in the journey – Just like a hiker has faith that the trail will open up new vistas, trust that your 95% of future possibilities will become clearer with each career step. Each role, project, and connection is shaping your path.
  4. Regularly reassess – As the “in-market” 5% shifts, periodically reevaluate your career priorities. Are you still energized by your current focus? Is it time to bring some of that 95% forward into active exploration? Pausing for self-reflection keeps you agile.

By embracing the 95:5 Rule in your career, you can balance active pursuit with open-minded exploration. Focus on the most impactful 5% while trusting that the 95% will continue to reveal new opportunities as you grow. Your career hike may be long and winding, but it’s all part of the adventure.

Get So Good At Your Own Thing They Can’t Ignore You

In today’s hyper-connected world, the challenge to stand out in the crowd and create your own unique identity is as real as it gets. To be seen, heard, and appreciated, one needs to possess an edge that separates them from the masses. Golden principle: Get so good at your own thing that they can’t ignore you.

Photo by Daniel Burka on Unsplash

1. Discover Your Unique Strengths

Everyone has their unique set of strengths and talents. Some people are fantastic at visualizing and creating art, while others excel in understanding complex systems or algorithms. Your strengths may be unique and different from the majority, but that is where your potential lies. The key is to identify these strengths and refine them.

The process of discovering your strengths involves self-exploration and introspection. You may find clues in activities you enjoy or tasks at which you naturally excel. Feedback from others can also provide valuable insights into areas where you shine. Tools such as StrengthsFinder and personality tests like Myers-Briggs can also help identify your strengths and areas of interest.

2. Pursue Mastery

Once you’ve identified your strengths, it’s time to commit to mastering them. Mastery is not about knowing everything there is to know about a subject. Instead, it involves continuously striving for improvement and learning with an open mind. It’s about going beyond proficiency, honing your skills to the point that you become an expert.

In the pursuit of mastery, patience and consistency are key. It requires commitment, hours of practice, and sometimes, facing failure and setbacks. Malcolm Gladwell’s “10,000-hour rule” suggests that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become world-class in any field.

3. Embrace Your Uniqueness

While developing your skills and abilities, remember to embrace the uniqueness that comes with them. In a world where imitation is often easier than innovation, it’s crucial to hold onto the traits that set you apart. As Oscar Wilde aptly said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

Your unique approach to your skills and interests is what makes you stand out. Embrace your quirks, your different style, your unique way of thinking, and infuse them into your craft. That’s what will make you unforgettable.

4. Showcase Your Skills

No matter how good you become at your craft, if no one knows about it, your efforts will remain unappreciated. Hence, the need to showcase your skills, your improvements, your unique take on your craft is important.

Creating a portfolio, maintaining an active online presence, networking in the relevant communities, speaking at events, and publishing your work are all effective ways to showcase your skills. Be proud of your progress and your unique approach, and share it with the world.

5. Keep Evolving

Lastly, remember that growth is a lifelong journey. What makes you unique and valuable today may become commonplace tomorrow. To stay relevant and unignorable, you must continue to learn, evolve, and grow. Stay updated with the latest trends, continue learning new skills, and adapt to changes to keep refining your craft.

Success is a journey, not a destination. As you continue to improve, evolve and excel at your own thing, the world will take notice. In the words of Steve Martin, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” So, go forth and make your mark by getting exceptionally good at your own unique thing. Your path to becoming unignorable has already begun.