“If you seek tranquillity, do less.”

– Marcus Aurelius

In a world that constantly demands more from us, Greg McKeown’s book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less offers a refreshing and counterintuitive approach to achieving success and fulfillment. I finished it last weekend and decided to try to create a summary so I could browse it in the future when people are pushing for ‘more.’

This interesting book challenges the notion that we can have it all and advocates for a more focused, deliberate way of living and working.

The Core of Essentialism

At its heart, essentialism is about doing less but better.

McKeown argues that by focusing on what truly matters and eliminating the non-essential, we can make our highest contribution to the things that really count in our lives. This philosophy isn’t about getting more done in less time (=agile methodology); it’s about getting the right things done.

Elon Musk describes the same idea but in a different way, suggesting entrepreneurs ‘delete’ everything they can and challenge any requirement.

The essentialist mindset is built on three core truths:

1. We have the power of choice

2. Almost everything is noise

3. We can do almost anything, but not everything

By embracing these truths, we can start to shift our perspective and approach to life and work.

The Way of the Essentialist

McKeown outlines several key principles and practices that define the essentialist approach:

1. Insight: Less, but Better

Essentialists develop a keen eye for distinguishing between the vital few and the trivial many. They understand that not all opportunities, tasks, or commitments are equal. By honing this skill of discernment, we can focus our energy and resources on what truly matters. It’s the 20/80 rule but with a demand to ‘delete’ all the ‘things’ that aren’t ‘must have.’

2. Trade-Offs: Which Problem Do I Want?

Essentialists recognize that life is full of trade-offs.

Instead of trying to have it all, they ask themselves, “Which problem do I want?” This mindset allows for more intentional decision-making and helps avoid the pitfalls of overcommitment. It’s about saying ‘No’ more often.

3. Escaping: The Perks of Being Unavailable

In our hyper-connected world, McKeown emphasizes the importance of creating space for focused work and reflection. By deliberately making ourselves unavailable sometimes, we can tap into deeper levels of creativity and productivity. There are many examples of how this method works like magic. Bill Gates, Musk, and many others take ‘time off’ in the most hectic times of the year to think without distractions.

4. Watch: See What Really Matters

Essentialists cultivate the ability to see beyond the surface level of situations. They look for the underlying patterns and root causes, allowing them to make more informed and impactful decisions.

“You can observe a lot by just watching.”

– Yogi Berra

5. Play: Embrace the Wisdom of Your Inner Child

McKeown reminds us of the value of play in fostering creativity and reducing stress. By incorporating elements of play into our lives and work, we can unlock new perspectives and solutions. The way to think about challenges as a level in a game and how you can move forward to the next level is helpful. Since we are all in a simulation (or, say, 85% probability for that), it’s nice to think we are playing a game inside a game.

6. Sleep: Protect the Asset

Contrary to the “sleep when you’re dead” mentality, essentialists recognize sleep as a crucial investment in their most valuable asset: themselves. Prioritizing sleep enhances decision-making, creativity, and overall well-being.

“I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four.”

– Yogi Berra

7. Prioritize: The Power of Extreme Criteria

When it comes to making choices, essentialists employ stringent criteria. They understand that saying yes to one thing means saying no to many others, so they ensure their “yes” is reserved for only the most essential opportunities.

8. Clarify: One Decision That Makes a Thousand

By clearly defining their essential intent— a single, overarching goal —essentialists create a decision-making framework that simplifies countless smaller choices. Think about it as the company’s ‘north star.’

If it’s the customers (and not the stakeholders), it’s obvious what should be done when there are tough choices to make.

9. Dare: The Power of a Graceful “No”

Essentialists understand that saying no is a crucial skill.

They learn to gracefully but firmly decline opportunities and requests, protecting their time and energy for what truly matters.

10. Subtract: Bring Forth More by Removing Obstacles

Instead of always looking to add, essentialists seek to remove obstacles and unnecessary complexities. This approach often yields more significant results with less effort.

The Impact of Essentialism

Adopting an essentialist mindset can lead to profound changes in both personal and professional life.

It allows us to:

– Regain control of our choices and time

– Achieve greater clarity in our goals and priorities

– Increase our overall effectiveness and impact

– Reduce stress and burnout

– Experience more fulfillment and satisfaction in our endeavors

Essentialism is not a one-time fix but an ongoing discipline. It requires constant vigilance and the courage to make difficult choices consistently.

Putting Essentialism into Practice

To help you start applying the principles of essentialism in your life, here are ten practical steps you can take:

1. Conduct a life audit: Review your commitments, possessions, and time expenditures. Identify what truly adds value to your life and what doesn’t.

2. Define your “essential intent”: Clarify your most important goal or purpose. Use this as a guiding light for decision-making.

3. Practice saying “no”: Start small by declining minor requests or invitations that don’t align with your priorities.

Gradually build up to more significant commitments.

1. Schedule regular “think time”: Block periods in your calendar for reflection, planning, and big-picture thinking.

2. Declutter your physical and digital spaces: Remove unnecessary items and simplify your environment to reduce distractions.

3. Implement the 90% rule: When evaluating opportunities, if it’s not a clear 90% “yes,” make it a “no.”

4. Create buffers: Add extra time between appointments and deadlines to account for unexpected events and reduce stress.

5. Establish a morning routine: Start your day with activities that center you and prepare you to focus on what’s essential.

6. Practice mindfulness: Incorporate meditation or other mindfulness techniques (e.g., running is a good option!) to improve focus and discern what’s truly important.

7. Regularly review and adjust: Set aside weekly or monthly to review your progress, celebrate wins, and course-correct as needed.

Remember, becoming an essentialist is a journey, not a destination.

It requires patience, practice, and persistence.

By consistently applying these principles, you can create a life of greater purpose, fulfillment, and impact— doing less but better.

Good luck.

“The best things in life are simple.”

-Leo Tolstoy