Essentialism Book Summary
The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Book by Greg McKeown
Summary
Essentialism is a disciplined, systematic approach for determining where our highest point of contribution lies, then making execution of those things almost effortless. By applying the principles of "less but better" to every area of our lives, we can channel our time, energy and effort toward accomplishing the vital few things that really matter.
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1. Essence
The Disciplined Pursuit Of Less
The way of the Essentialist is about living by design, not by default. It's a disciplined, systematic approach for determining where our highest point of contribution lies, then making execution of those things almost effortless. The Essentialist explores more options than the Nonessentialist to make better decisions, then eliminates the nonessentials to make execution easy. Essentialism is not about getting more things done, but getting the right things done.
To become an Essentialist requires a heightened awareness of our ability to choose:
- We have the power to choose how to spend our energy and time
- We can either allow nonessentials to overwhelm us, or deliberately choose where to focus our efforts
- If we don't prioritize our lives, someone else will
Section: 1, Chapter: 1
Less But Better
"The way of the Essentialist is the relentless pursuit of less but better. It doesn't mean occasionally giving a nod to the principle. It means pursuing it in a disciplined way."
Section: 1, Chapter: 1
Discerning The Vital Few From The Trivial Many
- Explore and evaluate a broad set of options before committing.
- Eliminate the nonessentials to make execution of the vital things almost effortless.
- It's not about just getting things done, but getting the right things done.
- Always ask "Is this the very most important thing I should be doing with my time and resources right now?"
Section: 1, Chapter: 2
The Choice Is Ours
When Greg was in law school in England, he realized he had a choice. He could continue down a path he had started, even though it wasn't the right path for him, or he could choose a different path. He chose to quit law school, leave England, and pursue a path of becoming a writer and teacher, which aligned more closely with his passions and strengths. This decision was pivotal in shaping the trajectory of his life and career. It taught him that while we may not always have control over our options, we always have control over how we choose among them.
Section: 1, Chapter: 2
Learned Helplessness
Psychologist Martin Seligman conducted experiments demonstrating "learned helplessness." Dogs who were given electric shocks with no ability to avoid them eventually stopped trying to escape the pain, even when later given the opportunity.
Similarly, people can learn to believe that their efforts don't matter. When people feel they have no choice, even in situations where they do, they tend to either give up or become overzealous and try to do everything. Both responses keep us from making the wisest decisions about where to invest our limited time and energy.
Section: 1, Chapter: 2
Pareto Principle And The Vital Few
The Pareto Principle states that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. A few key activities contribute most of the value in any given situation:
- In business, 80% of profits come from 20% of customers
- In society, 20% of criminals commit 80% of crimes
- In personal lives, 20% of activities produce 80% of satisfaction
Essentialists invest their time and energy only in the vital few choices and activities that matter most, with the understanding that most things are unimportant distractions.
Section: 1, Chapter: 3
Tradeoffs Are An Inescapable Reality
"Essentialists see trade-offs as an inherent part of life, not as an inherently negative part of life. Instead of asking, 'What do I have to give up?' they ask, 'What do I want to go big on?' The cumulative impact of this small change in thinking can be profound."
Section: 1, Chapter: 3
Trade-offs Make Strategy Possible
Southwest Airlines succeeded by choosing a focused strategy of being THE low-cost airline. They made deliberate trade-offs like not serving meals or having premium seating. When competitors like Continental Lite tried to copy their model without fully committing to those trade-offs, they failed.
In both business strategy and life, ignoring the reality of trade-offs trying to "have it all" leads to underperforming across the board. Essentialists make strategic trade-offs deliberately. They ask "Which problem do I want to solve?" not "How can I do it all?". They choose carefully what not to do in order to invest more in what is really vital.
Section: 1, Chapter: 4
2. Explore
The Essentialist Creates Space To Escape And Explore
In our hyperconnected world, we rarely take time to deliberately disconnect and put space on the calendar to think and strategize. Essentialists create space in their schedules to escape and explore life. They use this space to discern what is truly essential, to connect with their purpose, and to determine what they want to go big on. They don't let the noise of the world drown out their inner voice. Examples of creating space include taking a walk in nature, meditating, turning off your phone for a set period each day, scheduling "blank space" on your calendar, and taking time to journal.
Section: 2, Chapter: 5
Jeff Weiner's Example Of Scheduling Nothing
Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, schedules up to two hours of blank space on his calendar every day. He divides these buffers into thirty minute increments. He uses this space to think big and strategically about the company - product strategy, key priorities, culture and team dynamics, etc.
At first it felt like an indulgence, but he soon found it was his single most valuable productivity tool. It allowed him to better focus on the essential strategic questions rather than just reacting to the tactical needs of the day. He credits this practice for the company's success.
Section: 2, Chapter: 5
Become A Journalist Of Your Own Life
To discern the essential from the non-essential, we need to look at our choices through the lens of an investigative journalist:
- Search for the lead in the story of your life. What really matters?
- Stop hyper-focusing on all the details. Take a step back to see the bigger picture.
- Keep a journal. Writing forces you to think through what's essential.
- Get out of your own head. Go out into the field to gain real world insights.
- Be fully present. See what is right in front of you, not what might happen later.
- Clarify the question you are trying to answer before jumping into execution mode.
Section: 2, Chapter: 6
Play Is Essential For Strategic Exploration
Play is not trivial; it's essential. It allows us to explore unconventional ideas and strategies without getting stuck in the rut of the status quo. Play broadens our perspective, relieving tension and allowing creative ideas to flow more freely. It is in play where we discover our most essential selves and our most essential strategies.
Businesses like Twitter, Google and Pixar understand this - they foster play through unconventional office designs, improv comedy classes, hackathons, etc. These seemingly frivolous investments yield breakthroughs in creative problem solving. To be an Essentialist is to see play as necessary for high contribution, not an unnecessary distraction from it.
Section: 2, Chapter: 7
Play Broadens Our Range Of Options
Play has three key benefits for Essentialists:
- It broadens our range of options by allowing us to see possibilities we normally wouldn't. We make new connections and challenge old assumptions.
- It is an antidote to stress, refreshing our minds and bodies.
- It stimulates the parts of our brain involved in logical reasoning AND creative exploration, allowing breakthroughs to emerge.
To incorporate more play:
- Set aside time for unstructured exploration of ideas
- Engage in activities for pure enjoyment, not productivity
- Embrace your inner child - what did you love to do as a kid?
Section: 3, Chapter: 7
Lack Of Sleep Kills Productivity And Performance
Numerous studies show the massive costs of sleep deprivation:
- Emotional: Irritability, mood swings, stress
- Physical: Impaired cognition, weight gain, weakened immunity, risk of serious health problems
- Professional: Inability to focus, poor judgment, lower creativity, reduced productivity Essentialists view sleep as a priority for both their personal well-being and professional effectiveness. They:
- Add sleep to their schedules, regarding it as important as any other appointment
- Create a relaxing pre-sleep routine to wind down
- Sleep in a cool, dark room without digital distractions
- Aim for a consistent 7-8 hours per night
Section: 2, Chapter: 8
Applying Selective Criteria Makes Execution Effortless
Essentialists apply a selective criteria when deciding what activities and commitments to take on. They evaluate opportunities carefully, saying no to the vast majority of options and only saying yes when something is truly essential and high impact. They are willing to turn down very good opportunities to wait for truly great ones. They ask "Will this activity or effort make the highest possible contribution toward my goal?" If they can't give a definitive yes, then they gracefully decline.
This selectivity allows them to channel their efforts into excelling in the vital few areas that matter most, making execution almost effortless. Nonessentialists, by contrast, take on too many things and spread themselves too thin, making execution a constant struggle.
Section: 2, Chapter: 9
If It's Not A Clear Yes, It's A Clear No
"The way of the Essentialist is the path of the disciplined pursuit of less. It is not a path for people who aspire to the middle. It is a path for those who put their best effort toward fewer but better things. When faced with a decision between two opportunities, the Essentialist asks, "Which one of these is essential to me?" If one is a 9/10 and the other is a 10/10, the Essentialist knows to go for the 10. The logic is simple: if you rated an option anything less than a 9 out of 10, then it is a no. It is not something you are going to pour your energy into."
Section: 2, Chapter: 9
3. Eliminate
When Everything Is A Priority, Nothing Is
When Greg McKeown worked with an executive team to identify their top 5 priorities, one manager kept insisting on 18 "top priorities." She eventually cut it down to 17 - still far too many to meaningfully focus on. By refusing to make tough decisions on what mattered most, she spread her team's energy and focus too thin.
Contrast this with Apple under Steve Jobs, who would often ask "What are the top 10 things we should be doing next?" and then cross off the bottom 7. Jobs had an almost inhuman level of focus on the very few things that mattered most. An Essentialist strives for this level of clarity, willing to cut good options to invest in truly great ones.
Section: 3, Chapter: 10
If You Don't Set Your Plan, Someone Else Will Set It For You
An essential intent is both inspirational and concrete, both meaningful and measurable. It is a mission statement with a clear finish line. It answers the question "How will we know when we are done?" Some examples:
- "Eradicate smallpox from the face of the earth" - WHO's essential intent in the 1960s
- "I will get everyone in the UK online by the end of 2012" - Martha Lane Fox's essential intent as UK Digital Champion
- "Build 150 affordable, green, storm-resistant homes for families living in the Lower 9th Ward" - Brad Pitt's essential intent for his Make It Right foundation in New Orleans
Essential intent provides a clear direction and definition of success, aligning and inspiring efforts.
Section: 3, Chapter: 10
Saying No Gracefully Doesn't Have To Mean Saying The Word No
We can say no without actually uttering the word:
- "I am flattered that you thought of me but I'm afraid I don't have the bandwidth."
- "I would love to but I'm overcommitted at the moment."
- "Your project sounds wonderful. I would not be able to do it justice given my current commitments."
- "I am in the middle of something that I need to focus on, so I am afraid I will have to pass on this."
- "Let me check my calendar and get back to you." Saying no gracefully allows us to focus on our essential intent without damaging relationships.
Section: 3, Chapter: 11
Sunk-cost Fallacy Makes Us Cling To The Nonessential
Sunk-cost bias is the tendency to continue to invest time, money, or energy into something we know is a losing proposition simply because we have already incurred the cost that cannot be recouped. Examples include:
- Sitting through a bad movie because you've already paid for the ticket
- Continuing to pour money into a renovation project that's way over budget
- Staying in a job or career we're not passionate about because we've already invested so much time in it Essentialists avoid the sunk-cost trap by:
- Admitting when they've made a mistake and cutting their losses
- Setting a stopping point in advance for when they will pull the plug on something that isn't working
- Focusing on opportunity cost - what they could do with their time and energy if they walked away
Section: 3, Chapter: 12
Stop Doing Things That Aren't Getting Results
Practice zero-based budgeting. Instead of just continuing what you've always done, start from scratch and justify each activity anew.
- Apply selective criteria. If your initial evaluation of an opportunity doesn't score 90% or above, change the rating to 0 and walk away.
- Run a reverse pilot. Temporarily remove an initiative or activity and see if anyone notices. If not, consider eliminating it permanently.
- Get over FOMO (fear of missing out). Focus on the upside of what you'll be able to accomplish by uncommitting, not what you might miss out on.
Section: 3, Chapter: 12
Four Principles Of Effective Editing For Work And Life
- Cut out options. Eliminate the trivial many to make room for the vital few.
- Condense. Look for the single most important point and say it concisely.
- Correct. Be willing to make changes based on performance, feedback, and changing circumstances.
- Edit less. Restraint is sometimes more valuable than activity. Do less but better.
Section: 3, Chapter: 13
The Essential Few Should Dominate
"Think of your life as an overgrown garden. You have a limited amount of time and energy (and money and attention) to cultivate that garden. You can try to tend to every single plant but then the few that truly matter to you aren't going to get the attention they deserve. Or you can go through and pull up the weeds—cut out the nonessentials—so that what remains can really thrive. That is the Essentialist approach to editing your life."
Section: 3, Chapter: 13
Boundaries Create Freedom
Setting clear boundaries on what we will and will not do, or allow others to do, is essential for focusing on our highest priorities. Boundaries:
- Protect our time and energy from being hijacked by others' agendas
- Empower us to choose how we spend our resources
- Free us from the guilt and resentment of overcommitting
- Show others we respect ourselves and our priorities
While setting boundaries can be uncomfortable in the short term, it earns respect in the long run. It's the only way to retain control over what's most essential. Essentialists set boundaries deliberately and in advance to avoid being caught off guard by unexpected demands.
Section: 3, Chapter: 14
Setting Boundaries With Bosses And Colleagues
- Be very clear on your role and responsibilities. Gracefully turn down requests outside that scope.
- Create a system for saying no. Have go-to phrases or strategies to decline nonessential requests.
- Suggest an alternative. "I can't take on that project, but here is something I could do..."Offer a referral. "I'm not able to do it, but I know Sarah is great at that sort of analysis."
- Appeal to your essential intent. "My top priority is delivering Project X, so I need to focus there." Setting boundaries is an ongoing practice, but it gets easier with time as others learn to honor them.
Section: 3, Chapter: 14
4. Execute
Essentialists Build In Buffers To Prepare For The Unexpected
Just as we need to create a buffer or margin financially to deal with unexpected expenses, we need to create a buffer with our time and energy as well. Essentialists build in extra time and space around their essential tasks and priorities. This could mean:
- Estimating a task will take 50% longer than you initially think
- Leaving early enough that a 20-minute traffic delay won't make you late
- Blocking off time in your calendar for thinking and planning, not just doing
- Saving some energy for the unexpected rather than pushing yourself to the limit
Buffers create the space to handle the unforeseen, to rest, and to think - all of which are essential for peak performance over the long run
Section: 4, Chapter: 15
Identify The "Slowest Hiker" And Remove The Obstacle
In the business parable The Goal, the protagonist Alex faces the challenge of improving his factory's output. His mentor teaches him to find the bottleneck or constraint in the system - the "slowest hiker." This one bottleneck is holding up the entire production line. Alex learns that instead of trying to maximize the efficiency of every single element in the system, he should focus on alleviating the chief constraint, which then has a domino effect on overall throughput. We can apply this to our own work and life:
- Clarify your essential intent - what's your goal?
- Identify the obstacle - the "slowest hiker" - that is holding you back the most
- Remove that obstacle before worrying about optimizing anything else
Sometimes what is standing between us and our goal is just one key constraint. Remove it and execution becomes far easier.
Section: 4, Chapter: 16
Bring Forth More By Removing More
"Instead of focusing on the efforts and resources we need to add, the Essentialist focuses on the constraints or obstacles we need to remove... Nonessentialists tend to force execution, Essentialists invest the time they have saved by eliminating the nonessentials into designing a system to make execution almost effortless."
Section: 4, Chapter: 16
Focus On Minimal Viable Progress
Break big goals down into small wins that you can achieve each day or each week
- Do the minimal viable preparation - focus on the 10% that will get you 90% of the way there
- Don't aim for radical change, aim for small improvements in the right direction
- Track and celebrate small wins to maintain motivation over the long run\
- Remember that slow and steady wins the race.
Intensity is not a substitute for consistency. Essentialists understand the power of compounding incremental progress over time. They aim for small wins in essential areas rather than big sprawling projects that never get done.
Section: 4, Chapter: 18
Routines Allow Peak Performance
Routines help automate the essential. When we build habits and routines around our most essential activities, we free up mental energy from deciding what to do and can instead channel that energy into doing it well. Routines combat decision fatigue and create mental space for being fully present and at our best.
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps had a specific routine he followed religiously on race days - from what time he woke up to what he ate to his warm up laps in the pool. This allowed him to not overthink the race but simply execute. His coach noted that Phelps was often halfway done with his winning routine before his competitors even arrived at the pool. Routine enabled peak performance.
Section: 4, Chapter: 18
Design A Routine To Make The Essential Automatic
Identify a few key habits that align with your essential intent
- Block regular time for these in your schedule until they become automatic
- Tie a new habit to an existing one - pair your new journaling habit with your morning coffee ritual
- Start small - 5-10 minutes per day - then build on your consistency
- Make the essential the default so you don't have to think about it
Routines allow us to achieve more by not relying solely on motivation or willpower in the moment. Investing in creating the right routines pays massive dividends.
Section: 4, Chapter: 19
This concept is also discussed in:
Atomic Habits
Live Essentially
"Whatever decision or challenge or crossroads you face in your life, simply ask yourself, 'What is essential?' Eliminate everything else. We can all purge our lives of the nonessential and embrace the way of the Essentialist—in our own ways, and in our own time, and on our own scale. We can all live a life not just of simplicity but of high contribution and meaning."
Section: 4, Chapter: 20
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