What principles guide your life? For me, two stand out: one rooted in personal integrity and the other in a fundamental truth about efficiency. These help me navigate both personal and professional challenges, giving structure to my decisions and actions.

The Two Types of Principles

In my view, principles come in two distinct forms: human principles—those that guide how we interact with others and make ethical choices—and fundamental truths, which help us understand how systems work and how we can optimize.

Integrity: The Core Human Principle

At the heart of everything I do is integrity. It’s the principle of staying true to your values and being honest in all situations, no matter what’s going on. Integrity isn’t just about telling the truth—it’s about consistently aligning your actions with your beliefs. It directly how you build relationships and make tough decisions, both personally and professionally.

when you have integrity, doors open naturally. People trust you, and trust is the foundation of mutually beneficial relationships.

The Pareto Principle: A Fundamental Truth in Action

the Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule, is a guiding force in my life. It’s a fundamental truth that suggests 80% of outcomes come from 20% of efforts. business, relationships, personal productivity, etc., – focusing on the what is actually important, drives value in perpetuity.

I learned the importance of this principle during my internship at IPG Photonics. this one guy legit only cared about this one pareto chart (see below). he didn’t articulate it’s important or how to create it. he simply wanted it. i figured it out. thinking back, I’m not sure how he rationalized it’s importance as there was little to no clean data. 

applyingthe Pareto Principle in My Life

I’ve even used the Pareto Principle in my personal life, particularly when it comes to organizing my stuff. Over the last couple of years, I’ve followed a system inspired by the 80/20 rule. If I haven’t worn an item of clothing in a year, I don’t need it—unless it’s something sentimental or formal. After six months, I either get rid of or donate items that are still unworn. If something remains untouched for three months, I fold it up and store it away. The rest stays in my wardrobe, ready for regular use.

This system helps me reduce decision fatigue and simplifies my life. The fewer options I have, the easier it is to make quick, thoughtful decisions. It’s a process I first applied when I moved back home after college, and I’ve since expanded it to help my girlfriend organize her apartment, sorting through her family’s belongings.

I took this approach even further in 2022 when I applied the 80/20 rule to my entire life, beyond just clothing. I sent a note to my mom explaining my plan to declutter and focus on the future. I told her that 80% of the items around me served no purpose and that letting go of these things would clear away distractions. While the process was straightforward for me, I asked for her input on how to handle the disposal of items like clothes, furniture, artwork, and more.

Here’s an excerpt from that note:

“I am letting go of the past and removing distraction and quantitative options surrounding me. This process is straightforward for me, but I know that you will interject for various reasons.”

In the end, the exercise wasn’t just about getting rid of things—it was about making space for the future. I invited my mom to use this as a learning experience. I acknowledged that it would be difficult and likely emotional. However, it was a necessary step toward growth.*

*i want to add on this later on. I digress and need to go to bed.