By now, you have taken a Giannis Antetokounmpo-sized step into 2026. And if you are anything like me (I hope for your sake you are not), you are hoping that this year is your best year ever. But great years don’t just happen on their own. You need to force your year to be great.
That may sound hard.
But it’s not.
The indisputable law of the universe to focus on right now is The 80/20 Rule. This rule dictates that 80 percent of your results will come from 20 percent of your actions. It’s a valuable reminder to focus on the vital few activities that really matter. And to forget about the trivial many that don’t.
I am always inspired by lazy but successful people. They are not the rise and grind types. They are not workaholics. They are more like the Mayor of Lazytown. But they are also intelligent. And they get ahead by doing less. Sometimes much, much less than others. Yet, they keep rising and shining. What’s up with that, pussycat?
The key to their success is that they do the right things. They spend their time focused on the vital few activities that return 80% of the desired results.
The right things are often relationship things. They are about developing and maintaining relationships with the people who can have a major impact on your opportunities. (I leave this broad, because I don’t know what kind of opportunities you are after.) But opportunities of every sort come through connectors, endorsers, gatekeepers, and inviters.
In addition to developing the right relationships (and showering), the other 3 things that tend to have an outsized impact are:
- Doing only the things you do best.
- Showing up at the right places.
- Asking for what you want.
People often spend a lot of time doing hard things that reinforce the value we put on a strong work ethic. But those efforts can divert time and attention from the little things that make the biggest difference. So in 2026, learn a lesson from the lazy successful people. Work smarter. Not harder. And get greater results by doing more of what matters most.
Key Takeaway
Boil down all the things you could be doing in January to the few things that create the greatest impact. Develop and maintain relationships with the people who can support your goals, spend the majority of your time doing the things you do best, show up to the places and events that matter most, and ask for what you want. If you get those things right, you are 80% of the way to an outstanding year.
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+For more of the best life lessons I have learned, check out my book, What Does Your Fortune Cookie Say? from Ripples Media. And consider subscribing to Adam’s Good Newsletter.
Adam Albrecht Blog 