What have bolied eggs got to do with coaching?

I’ll begin by sharing one of my favourite stories with you…

A young woman was in her kitchen.
A pan of water was simmering on the stove.
She was making boiled eggs for breakfast.
He walked in.
Their eyes met…
She looked at him.
“Make love to me, here, right now!” she said.
They made love on the kitchen table.
“ I see, you couldn’t resist me, huh?” he said.
“ The egg timer is broken” she replied.

What a fantastic example of time management!

How would you like to achieve more with less effort in your coaching practice?

Sounds impossible?

Well, that’s what many successful coaches and their clients have been able to do by applying the powerful 80/20 Principle.

I first came across the 80/20 Principle, also known as the Pareto Rule, through a coaching conversation, and it completely transformed the way I work with clients and approach my own practice.

It’s a timeless principle of effectiveness that can be a game-changer for coaches and those they support.

What is the 80/20 Principle?The 80/20 Principle states that a small percentage of causes, inputs, or efforts often leads to the majority of results, outputs, or rewards. In other words, 80% of your outcomes come from just 20% of your activities.

For example, 80% of your clients’ breakthroughs may stem from 20% of your coaching strategies or tools. Similarly, 80% of your income might come from 20% of your clients.

This principle challenges the belief that all tasks or efforts are equally valuable. It highlights the importance of identifying and focusing on the critical few activities that drive the most significant results.

Real-Life Applications for CoachesHere’s how the 80/20 Principle can be applied to coaching:

1. Prioritize Your High-Impact Coaching PracticesNot all coaching elements deliver equal value.

Reflect on which 20% of what you do in your coaching sessions consistently generates the most meaningful results for your clients.

Focus on honing and using those skills rather than trying to fix.

1. Identify Your Ideal ClientsOften, a small percentage of your clients will account for the majority of your satisfaction, referrals, or revenue.

These are your “ideal clients”—the ones who are fully engaged and benefit most from your coaching.

Spend more time nurturing these relationships and less time chasing clients who may not align with your expertise.

1. Streamline Your Time ManagementAs coaches, we juggle many responsibilities—coaching sessions, admin, marketing, professional development, and more.

By analyzing your day, you may find that 20% of your activities deliver 80% of your results.

For example, focusing on a single, well-crafted LinkedIn post might have more impact than hours spent on multiple platforms.

1. Help Clients Apply the PrincipleThe 80/20 Principle isn’t just for you; it’s a powerful framework for your clients.

Many clients feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks and responsibilities they face.

By asking them ” what 20% of your actions delivers 80% of your desired outcomes?'” you can help them achieve greater clarity and better results.

Ready for a Practical Exercise?If you want to start leveraging the 80/20 Principle, take stock of how you’re currently allocating your time.

• Keep a log of your activities for a week.
• Then, identify which ones drive the most value for your coaching practice or personal development.
• These are your “critical 20%.”
• Now, imagine what would happen if you spent more of your energy on those high-value activities.
• Could you achieve more with less stress?
• Could your clients see faster progress by focusing on fewer, higher-impact goals?

The 80/20 Principle is a simple yet profound shift in thinking.

As a coach, it helps you do what you do best—maximising your impact whilst minimising wasted effort.

The question is: are you focusing on your top 20%?

If not, what would change if you did?

Until next time,

with best wishes ofr your success

Cath

The post Boiled Eggs and Coaching! appeared first on Cath Daley.