I’ve always thought of myself as an 80 percenter. I like to throw myself passionately into a sport or activity until I reach about an 80 percent proficiency level. To go beyond that requires an obsession and degree of specialization that doesn’t appeal to me. Once I reach that 80 percent level I like to go off and do something totally different; that probably explains the diversity of the Patagonia product line—and why our versatile, multifaceted clothes are the most successful.
YVON CHOUINARD
I do not own anything from Patagonia. I have never purchased a product from Patagonia. I am not into mountain climbing, surfing, or fly fishing like Yvon Chouinard. I am an admirer of Patagonia's Yvon Chouinard because he is someone engaged in intentional living. I always admire this intentionality even if it goes to places where I would not choose to go myself.
Chouinard's quotation above mirrors much of my own intentionality on things especially his 80% rule. Like Chouinard, I tend to be a generalist knowing that expertise requires a discipline and specialization I don't care to do. I aim for competence not expertise. Here is how it looks in practice in my life.
The 0% Rule
Years ago, I put together a "Not To Do" list of things I had some interest in doing, but I knew that doing them was stupid. I owned a guitar and a mountain bike for a season which I decluttered from my life. I realized that they were the detritus of dreams I was never going to fulfill. I have witnessed others spend far more on the same stupidity. This is because buying is easier than doing.
I found that a list of things to not do would save me a lot of time, money, and energy. I still add to that Not To Do list. Now that I am old and damaged in the brain, I find that list to be the smartest thing I've ever created. If I didn't have it to waste before the accident, it is certainly the case after the accident.
The 10% Rule
I define a hobby as the serious pursuit of a worthless activity. Consequently, I do not have hobbies. Either I do worthwhile activities, or I do worthless activities without being serious about them. Those two worthless activities would be playing the kazoo for ten minutes a day and watching birds in the backyard with a cheap monocular from Amazon. A laminated brochure on birds from Tractor Supply completes my birdwatching kit. I don't care to elevate my game in these areas beyond 10%.
The 80% Rule
This rule applies to those areas that I do pursue seriously. My writing is one of those things, but I limit myself to writing blog posts. I don't write short stories, novels, poems, or books. I was never good at that stuff, and I have capitulated to that reality. I have clever ideas in these areas, but I don't have what it takes to pull them off.
Another area is radio communication. This became an interest in relation to prepping. I listen to AM/FM/WX radio bands, but I don't waste my time or money on the hobby known as shortwave listening. I am also not a ham radio operator, and I do not care to ever get my "ham ticket." I stick with CB radio which is cheap and simple and allows me to contact people in my area in case the cellphone network goes down. I do not care for GMRS.
Another area is self-defense. I chose Krav Maga as being the best self defense system for an average Joe like myself. I am not Bruce Lee. Despite rumors to the contrary, Krav Maga is a basic system in comparison to martial arts that take years to master. I just need to know enough to get out of a bad situation.
Another area is gardening. I chose lasagna gardening in raised beds because I don't have the energy for a till method. I only care about food crops and leave the flower gardening to my wife. I have no interest in taking the course and becoming a master gardener.
Another area is fitness. I walk, do bodywork exercises for strength, and perform manual labor for an hour each day except rain days and Sundays. I do not care to run marathons, lift heavy weights, do Crossfit, or compete in the Ironman Triathlon. I just need to keep my parts moving and prevent atrophy. This becomes an important consideration when you don't move much the rest of the time as you destimulate in a dark room.
Versatility
The last thing Chouinard stresses is versatility. Basically, Chouinard produced clothing in accordance with his 80% rule by making products that cover 80% of your needs. For instance, the hiking shorts can also be used for rock climbing, trail running, etc. The key to this versatility is to make or choose things that are basic which lends itself to a universal application. Simplicity is the key to versatility.
In my own life, I find that workwear covers 80% of what I do. The same clothes that I wear for yard work is also my exercise wear for walking and my casual wear. Likewise, I find that a Toyota Tacoma 2WD pickup covers 80% of my transportation needs. I don't care for a gigantic Silverado or a lifted Jeep Wrangler. I don't have needs like that. I never leave the payment, and I don't pull trailers or RV campers. I haven't driven in years, but I am happy knowing my wife has no problems driving my small truck. I will always choose a small truck because it is the most versatile for our needs.
Conclusion
When it comes to Chouinard and intentional living, you just need to choose what you are going to do and not do. Then, you need to decide what level you are going to do the things you choose to do. Finally, the gear you use should be able to be used across those multiple things. This cuts down on a great deal of waste. This amounts to a simple and sustainable lifestyle.
