Why this new book?

This book wouldnt have been written if it hadnt been for two people. First was Steve Gersowsky, a friend who runs a restaurant in Cape Town. Steve is bright and dynamic, full of life, and very savvy. I was taken aback when he said, Tried to get into The 80/20 Principle . Found it too difficult. Couldnt get beyond page 10.

Youre kidding, I said. No really, man, he said, all those numbers , professors, and statistics. All too much. Heard how great the book was, tried to get the hang of it, but I failed.

Then I realized that Steve hadnt failed; Id failed Steve. I had thought that the book was breezy and easy. But I had to admit that although some of it, including most of the bits at the back helping individuals use the Big Idea, was easy to read, there were also illustrations about business that put off many non-business people. As the business section came first in the book, it gave the impression that the Big Idea was difficult, whereas in truth it is very simple.

As I was exploring for the first time in that book how to apply the 80/20 concept to our own lives, I threw ideas up in the air, leaving readers to work out how to catch and use them. I should have said, That means we should do this to be happier .

An Australian friend, Laurence Toltz, also inspired the current book. The stuff youve written about is terrific , he emailed me, but my dream is for people at all levels of income and education to be able to use it. Could you write a book to explain very simply how everyone can use the 80/20 principle to get round the problems they struggle with? The 80/20 Principle is written for business and professional people. Can you write a book for people not in business or without a tertiary education? A book to show them how to use the 80/20 Way for simple things like getting work they enjoy, or straightening out their finances?

Yes, I replied. What a great idea! Ill start right away. And here it is.