Essentialism

by Greg McKeown

Have you ever found yourself stretched too thin?

Do you simultaneously feel overworked and underutilized?

Are you often busy but not productive?

Do you feel like your time is constantly being hijacked by other people’s agendas?

If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is the Way of the Essentialist.

The Way of the Essentialist isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done.  It is not  a time management strategy, or a productivity technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution towards the things that really matter.

By forcing us to apply a more selective criteria for what is Essential, the disciplined pursuit of less empowers us to reclaim control of our own choices about where to spend our precious time and energy – instead of giving others the implicit permission to choose for us.

Essentialism is not one more thing – it’s a whole new way of doing everything. A must-read for any leader, manager, or individual who wants to learn who to do less, but better, in every area of their lives, Essentialism  is a movement whose time has come.

Our thoughts on Essentialism

Often we get caught up in the busyness of life and lose focus on the things we want to do. Greg McKeown’s Essentialism is a book that I think everyone should read. Essentialism clears your judgement and gives you permission to focus on what really matters instead of trying to do everything. 

Only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter.”Greg McKeown, Essentialism

In applying McKeown’s advice and defining strict criteria for what is essential in your life, you’ll reclaim invaluable time, energy and focus. McKeown calls this “the disciplined pursuit of less.”

“Entrepreneurs succeed when they say “yes” to the right project, at the right time, in the right way. To accomplish this, they have to be good at saying “no” to all their other ideas. Essentialism offers concise and eloquent advice on how to determine what you care about most, and how to apply your energies in ways that ultimately bring you the greatest rewards.” —Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and co-author of The Start-up of You

Our favourite quote from Essentialism

Remember that if you don’t prioritize your life someone else will.

15 recommendations for Essentialism

15 recommendation for Essentialism

Book Summary

Similar recommendations

Remember that if you don’t prioritize your life someone else will.

— Greg McKeown, Essentialism