Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less | Greg McKeown
“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” is a self-help book by Greg McKeown that proposes a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential in life, and then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution towards the things that truly matter.
In the book, McKeown explains how our culture of overabundance and societal pressures lead us to fall into the trap of ‘non-essentialism’ – trying to do it all, saying yes to everyone, and losing sight of our own preferences and values.
He suggests that instead of trying to accomplish everything, we should focus on accomplishing the right things. This idea is built upon the concept of ‘less but better’. It encourages us to find and focus on the very few things that are truly vital and meaningful in our lives, and to disregard or delegate the rest.
The book provides a step-by-step guide to the process of essentialism: Explore to discern the trivial many from the vital few; Eliminate to cut out the trivial; and Execute to remove obstacles and make execution as effortless as possible.
“Essentialism” is not about getting more done in less time, but about getting the right things done. It challenges the reader to reject the idea that they can fit everything in, and instead to focus on doing fewer things better. It’s a philosophy that encourages mindfulness, clarity, and prioritizing, in order to lead a more purposeful and productive life.
Quotes From Essentialism
“If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”
“Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done. It doesn’t mean just doing less for the sake of less either. It 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.”
“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.”
“The way of the Essentialist means living by design, not by default.”
“Remember that if you don’t prioritize your life someone else will.”
“It’s about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at your highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential.”
“Sometimes what you don’t do is just as important as what you do.”
“Less but better.”
Biography of Greg McKeown
Greg McKeown is a British/American author, speaker, and business strategist best known for his work on the concept of Essentialism. He was born in London, England, and later moved to the United States. He earned an MBA from Stanford University.
McKeown’s work is focused on leadership and business strategy. His experiences in the business sector led him to conceive the idea of Essentialism, and he has worked with companies such as Apple, Google, and Facebook, sharing his concepts about leadership, innovation, and productivity.
His book, “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less”, was published in 2014 and quickly became a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. It elaborates on his philosophy of Essentialism, which teaches the art of discerning between external noise and internal voice to make the highest possible contribution towards things that really matter.
In addition to his book, McKeown is a frequent contributor to several newspapers and magazines like The New York Times, Fast Company, Fortune, Politico, and Inc. Magazine. He’s also a popular keynote speaker at events and conferences around the world.
Beyond his professional life, Greg is also a family man who applies his philosophy of Essentialism in balancing his work and family life. As of my knowledge cut-off in September 2021, he and his wife, Anna, have four children and live in California.
Criticisms of Essentialism
“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown has been widely received as a helpful tool for decluttering one’s life and focusing on the essential tasks. However, like any work, it’s not without its criticisms. Here are a few common ones:
Lack of Practical Advice: Some readers have expressed that while the book does a great job explaining the concept of Essentialism and its benefits, it falls short in providing practical, actionable steps for achieving this lifestyle. They’ve found the advice too abstract to apply effectively in their daily lives.
Repetitive Content: Critics argue that the book is repetitive, with the main ideas reiterated throughout the book. Some believe the book could be condensed without losing its main message.
Privilege Assumption: Some critics have noted that the book’s advice assumes a level of privilege not everyone has. For instance, saying “no” to nonessential tasks or commitments isn’t always possible for people in certain jobs or life circumstances.
Underemphasis on Collaboration: In a society where collaboration and teamwork are often necessary, the ability to completely control and focus on individual tasks isn’t always feasible. Critics argue that McKeown’s approach underemphasizes the importance of collaborative work.
Overemphasis on Work: Some critics suggest that the book focuses too much on applying Essentialism in a work or business setting, and doesn’t give enough attention to personal or home life.
Summary of Essentialism
The Essentialist: The book begins with an introduction to Essentialism. McKeown defines Essentialism as a systematic discipline to discern what is absolutely essential, then eliminate everything that is not, in order to make the highest possible contribution. The chapter encourages readers to apply more selective criteria for what is essential to their lives.
Choose: The Invincible Power of Choice: This chapter emphasizes the power of choice. It reminds readers that they have the ability to choose and the right to control their own decisions. It contrasts the mindset of an Essentialist who exercises choice with that of a Nonessentialist who feels they have lost the ability to choose.
Discern: The Unimportance of Practically Everything: Here, McKeown introduces the ’90 Percent Rule’ to help readers discern the trivial many from the vital few. The rule suggests that as you evaluate options, you should only say yes to the top 10% of opportunities.
Trade-Off: Which Problem Do I Want?: This chapter discusses the idea of trade-offs. McKeown argues that we can’t do it all, and that every decision is essentially a trade-off. He encourages readers to make deliberate trade-offs to ensure that their time and resources are being spent on things that align with their goals.
Escape: The Perks of Being Unavailable: In this chapter, McKeown advocates for strategic unavailability. He posits that taking time for solitude allows us to explore and ponder what is truly essential. He suggests escaping from social media, turning off notifications, and taking time for uninterrupted focus.
Look: See What Really Matters: McKeown discusses the importance of focus in this chapter. He suggests that we should strive to look beyond the day-to-day distractions and concentrate on the larger picture. It’s about discerning the minor details from the overarching goals, and maintaining a consistent focus on what truly matters.
Play: Embrace the Wisdom of Your Inner Child: This chapter underscores the value of play as an essential exploration process. McKeown argues that play is fundamental to sparking creativity and innovation, and that it can help to provide clarity about what is essential in life.
Sleep: Protect the Asset: McKeown presents an argument for the importance of sleep. He emphasizes that our most valuable asset is ourselves and that by prioritizing sleep, we enhance our ability to think, to connect, to do great things, and to become the best version of ourselves.
Select: The Power of Extreme Criteria: In this chapter, McKeown talks about the importance of having stringent criteria when selecting what to focus on. Instead of saying yes to every opportunity, McKeown advises using extreme selectivity to only say yes to the opportunities that score 90% or above in alignment with your life’s purpose.
Clarify: One Decision That Makes a Thousand: Here, McKeown stresses the importance of clarity in decision-making. The principle is that making one big decision that is aligned with your overall purpose and goals can eliminate the need for a thousand subsequent decisions. By clarifying your purpose, you create a guiding light that simplifies all future decision-making.
Dare: The Power of a Graceful “No”: This chapter emphasizes the need to say “no” more often and more gracefully to non-essential tasks and demands. McKeown provides strategies on how to say “no” respectfully and clearly, without feeling guilty or damaging relationships.
Uncommit: Win Big by Cutting Your Losses: Here, McKeown introduces the concept of “uncommitting” or strategically quitting non-essential commitments. The chapter challenges the idea that quitting is always a bad thing, arguing instead that it can allow you to focus more on your most important commitments.
Edit: The Invisible Art: In this chapter, McKeown likens the Essentialist to an editor, who trims away extraneous detail to create a cleaner, more powerful narrative. He advocates for the power of less but better, and the need to constantly and ruthlessly edit our lives to focus on what truly matters.
Limit: The Freedom of Setting Boundaries: This chapter addresses the importance of setting clear boundaries to guard your time, energy, and focus. McKeown discusses the paradox that by setting limits, we actually create greater freedom and capacity to pursue the essentials.
Buffer: The Unfair Advantage: McKeown suggests building buffers into our lives to prepare for the unexpected. He posits that incorporating buffer times between appointments or tasks can help us deal with unexpected challenges and reduce stress, thereby creating a more manageable and productive schedule.
Subtract: Bring Forth More by Removing Obstacles: In this chapter, McKeown discusses the importance of subtraction in the pursuit of Essentialism. By eliminating obstacles, unnecessary tasks, and distractions, we create a path for more valuable endeavors and allow ourselves to focus on the truly essential tasks.
Progress: The Power of Small Wins: This chapter highlights the concept of ‘small wins’. McKeown advocates for the idea that significant progress can be made through small, consistent efforts over time. He encourages taking small steps to build momentum toward the accomplishment of larger goals.
Flow: The Genius of Routine: McKeown emphasizes the power of establishing routines to create a predictable flow in life. He argues that routines automate the process of decision-making, thus freeing up mental energy for more essential tasks and decisions.
Focus: What’s Important Now?: This chapter underscores the importance of focusing on the present moment. McKeown encourages readers to ask themselves, “What’s important now?” to maintain focus on the essential task at hand, rather than being distracted by future concerns or past mistakes.
Be: The Essentialist Life: In this chapter, McKeown encourages readers to live in the present and to embrace the journey of becoming an Essentialist. He stresses that Essentialism is a continuous pursuit and a way of life, not a one-time event.
Conclusion: McKeown wraps up the book by reinforcing the idea of Essentialism and encouraging the reader to start their journey towards living a life that truly matters. He prompts readers to remember that the essence of Essentialism isn’t about getting more done in less time but about getting the right things done, resulting in a more fulfilling and manageable life.