The 82% Rule
Jan 04, 2026
I’ve come to believe that success—and even happiness—isn’t about perfection. It’s about balance, and for me, that balance is defined by what I call the 82% Rule. Simply put, if I’m content, productive, or fulfilled 82% of the time, I’m on the right track. That leaves 18% for the tough days—the ones where nothing goes right, or when exhaustion takes over.
This rule hit home recently while I was working on my Montana farm. For five and a half weeks, I was pulling 14 to 16 hour days doing hard, physical labor. It was grueling. My body was tired, my patience was tested, and at times, I wondered why I was putting myself through it. But now that I’m on the other side of that push, I can see the value of those sacrifices. It was temporary imbalance, not a permanent condition.
I even had a moment—standing on a ladder that slipped unexpectedly—where it all clicked. Life is like that ladder: mostly steady, but sometimes it throws you off balance. The goal isn’t to avoid those slips entirely. It’s to recover, readjust, and keep climbing.
If you’re finding that more than 18% of your life—your job, your relationships, your health—feels off, it might be time to reassess. That might mean making meaningful changes... or making an exit.
Check out The Appraiser Coach Podcast for more info on this topic:
