The magic of the margins

April 14, 2025

“I have a theory: if you put in 80%, you get 80% back. But if you put in 100%, you get 1000% back. The last 20% is where the magic happens. Because almost nobody is mad enough to go all in. Only a perfect storm of delusion, obsession, and a pinch of childhood trauma makes that extra 20% possible. It’s the part where you keep going long after logic says retreat. Where your biggest weakness becomes your biggest strength: an inability to stop. Because at a certain point, success isn’t about talent or luck. It’s about who’s willing to suffer the longest. Pain is the filter. Few pass it.” -Unknown


The Pareto Principle states that 80% of your outcomes are due to 20% of your efforts. It’s a concept that is echoed out in the fields of economics, technology, and even health and safety.

The problem with the Pareto Principle is it’s not always obvious what 20% tranche of your effort will reward you with outsized return. It’s often only clear in hindsight.

The solution? Make sure you put 100% in. Revisit some childhood trauma, write your goals next to your desk, or rewatch Rory win The Masters. The method doesn’t matter, achieving the extra 20% does.

The magic is in the margins.