đź“– Essentialism by Greg McKweon
Essentialism is not about getting more things done—it’s about getting the right things done.
“If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”
This is one of my top ten books that have shaped how I live and work.
Essentialism is not about getting more things done—it’s about getting the right things done. Greg McKeown argues that most people are overwhelmed because they chase too many demands, say yes too often, and confuse busyness with productivity. Essentialism is a systematic discipline for distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many and eliminating everything nonessential.
Four Key Ideas
1. The Way of the Essentialist
- Essentialists live by principle: “Less, but better.”
- They don’t react to every demand—they pause, reflect, and choose intentionally.
- The opposite, the nonessentialist, tries to do everything, diluting energy and impact.
- Explore: Discern What Truly Matters
- Invest time in creating space to think, read, and reflect.
- Use criteria: Is this exactly what I’m here to do? If it’s not a clear yes, it’s a no.
- Essentialists ask: “What is essential?” before committing.
- Eliminate: Cut the Trivial Many
- Saying no becomes an act of focus, not offense.
- Remove obstacles, commitments, and clutter that dilute priority.
- Trade-offs are not a tragedy; they are strategic realities. You can't do it all.
- Execute: Make the Essential Effortless
- Build routines and buffers to protect what matters.
- Focus on small, disciplined progress—not heroic last-minute efforts.
- Make execution frictionless: schedule, systematize, simplify.
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Trade-offs | Accepting that choosing one thing means not choosing another. |
| Protect the Asset | Rest, health, and clarity fuel essential work. Burnout is anti-essential. |
| Boundaries | Clear limits guard focus. Saying “no” is leadership, not selfishness. |
| Clarity of Purpose | Essentialists work with vision, not vague obligation. |