SUBJECT LINE: 80/20 Rule of Racing: cut the time it takes to get the same (or better) results
Hi {!firstname},
As promised yesterday, I wanted to send you a quick bit of advice, which when applied properly, will mean you make more progress than ever before – and in less time!
All it takes is a little mindset shift, but it could have BIG repercussions for your sailing going forward...
Doing more with less
What if I told you that 80% of your training and prep time is not moving you ANY further up the leaderboard??
And that a mere 20% of your efforts are bringing you 80% of your results on the race track?
That's what the Pareto Principle, aka the 80/20 Rule, is all about. Essentially it says that the majority of your results (or outputs) will come from a minority of causes (or inputs).
So in visual terms, if you want to make the absolute most of your time, this is what you should focus on...
Doesn't it make sense to do more of those 20% turbo-powered activities and less of those 80% dead-weight activities?
In our complicated sport full of distractions and Bright Shiny (& Expensive) Objects, we sailors are often guilty of barking up the wrong tree. And we might spend ages barking in the wrong direction without even realising it.
You may be putting in a ton of effort, believing you're doing the right things, heading down dutifully to do your training… but it doesn’t translate to results on the racecourse.
As Hamish Willcox makes clear to his athletes, we've all got 24 hours in the day – it's how you USE those hours that makes the difference.
So how to put this 80/20 principle into action?
To get you started, here are...
5 simple ways you can maximise your time
1) Identify your biggest weaknesses, then bring them up to a good enough standard (most sailors never take stock of their weak areas, so if you actually take the time to do it then it potentially puts you ahead of 90% of the fleet...)
2) Make the most of the equipment you've already got (instead of seeking out the next Bright Shiny Object)
3) Assemble a training squad and regularly swap boats (rather than trying to work everything out by yourself)
4) Do deliberate practice during TRAINING (ie. not just racing all the time - this is another area where you should be applying the 80/20 rule...)
5) Learn from those who've been there and done it all before (there are tons of ways of doing this, for example, asking locals all about a venue before you race there)
Maybe these seem obvious, but many of us don't do them.
(Stop and check how many YOU actually do! 👆🏼)
They're certainly not all sexy suggestions, but they're where the biggest improvements are to be had on the race track... and really, what's sexier than winning all your events?? 😉
Focus on the right things (sooner rather than later)
A core concept that Hamish reiterates in Road To Gold is the power of the squad mentality – in fact, that's where he reckons the biggest shortcuts are to be had. So we wanted to make a space for sailors who are serious about taking their racing to the next level, and created the RTG Training Squad.
The group is a place where we can meet to share knowledge, insights, ideas and perspectives – and whatever else will make us sail faster! If you want to learn and share more of the 80/20 shortcuts mentioned above, come in and join us.
And be sure to ask and/or answer a question when you get there!
Click here to join the RTG Training Squad
That's all from me today. So far, we’ve only scratched the surface. Hamish and I want to share a few more tricks and tips with you over the next few weeks, so expect to be hearing from us again soon...
Until then,
Andy Rice
Co-Creator, Road To Gold
PS. In sailing, there will always be hardwork, trial-and-error and perseverance involved... but there ARE shortcuts to be had, if you know where to focus your efforts.
With our new Road To Gold program, you no longer need to work it all out for yourself. Instead of bashing your head against the wall, wondering what to do differently, you can let somebody with 40 years of world-beating experience lead the way…
Over 12 modules covering the structure of a world-class campaign, Hamish Willcox and I take a deep dive into all the important topics in competitive sailing. Not just WHAT to do but HOW.
Click here for more details about how to sign up
By the end of the course, you'll have no doubts about the best uses of your time, effort and money… The main issue you'll face will be the strange looks in the boat park ("How'd they get so good???") 😉