What is Essentialism?
Essentialism is a principle and disciplined way of life. Essentialism is not about getting more things done, it’s about how to get the right things done. It’s not about doing less just because that sounds or feels good. Essentialism is about making the “wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at our highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential.”
In this work Greg McKeown provides a comprehensive and practical guide to navigating, day by day, a more purposely driven life through 4 major steps.
- Essence – learning the core mind set of an Essentialist
- Explore – discerning the trivial many from the vital few
- Eliminate – cutting out the trivial many
- Execute – doing the vital few things almost effortlessly
Why you should read this book:
Do you ever find yourself constantly balancing multiple priorities in your work and personal life? Are you challenged by a bottomless “To Do” list? In spite of all your efforts, are you dogged by a feeling of futility and that meaningful accomplishment and a sense of purpose continue to elude you? Do you ever ask yourself, “why am I doing this?” and “what difference will this make?” Do you wonder if you are totally burned out or just completely exhausted? Would you like to reclaim the joy and energy you feel when you are in “the zone” “on a mission” and firing on all cylinders. IF you answered “yes” to any of these questions, Greg McKeown’s “Essentialism: The Relentless Pursuit of Less” is a perfect guide to unraveling and facing the challenges of modern life.
McKeown’s work shows you how to apply rigorous criteria and continually choose and maintain a relentless focus on the activities that keep you and your life on purpose. McKeown asks, “What is the one thing you can do to make the highest contribution?” He sheds light on why many intelligent, capable and well intentioned people have a hard time getting and staying “on purpose”. He recognizes and provides insights into what drives us to allow distractions as well as strategies for eliminating the non-essential.
The proverbial wisdom “if you want to get something done, give it to a busy person,” often leads to effective, successful people having more work, more demands on their time and a sense of fewer choices in doing what they consider to be purposeful. If you feel “busy but not productive”, if you’re losing the connection between what you do every day and what you want to accomplish in your life, professionally and personally, Essentialism offers a way off the hamster wheel and the means to keep yourself on track to realize your purpose and intentions in your work and in your life.