Summary

Essentialism is the disciplined pursuit of less. Use the power of choice to graciously say no so you can make your highest contribution towards the few things that really matter. Don’t be afraid to un-commit / cut losses. Continuously ask what is essential.

Key Takeaways

• Distinguish the vital few from the trivial many, then remove obstacles (essentialism)
• Three core truths: “I choose to”, “only a few things really matter”, “I can do anything but not everything”
• If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will
• The paradox of success: the more options we have, the more distraction there is

Notes

The 5 Big Ideas

1. Stop trying to do it all / say yes to everyone so you can make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter
2. Essentialism: distinguishing vital few from trivial many, then remove obstacles for the essential things
3. If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will (eg. boss)
4. The paradox of success: the more options we have, the more we feel distracted from what would otherwise be our highest level of contribution
5. Three core truths: “I choose to”, “only a few things really matter”, “I can do anything but not everything”

Essence: Core mindset of an essentialist

• Choice: the core of essentialism
• Discern: almost everything is unimportant
• Trade off: which problem do I want?

Explore: Discerning trivial many vs. vital few

• Escape: deliberately take time to think, get perspective
  • Set aside 20 minutes of technology-free thinking time to center your perspective (eg. Read bible / timeless literature)
• Look: see what really matters
  • Keep a journal and keep it short
• Play: creative play is essential
• Sleep: protect the asset (mind body spirit)
• Select: use extreme criteria, highly selective

Eliminate: Cutting out the trivial many

• Clarify: set concrete objectives
• Dare: graciously say no, think of trade offs
  • Separate from personal relationship
  • Earns respect in long run
• Un-commit: don’t be afraid to cut losses
  • Endowment: if not already committed?
  • Status quo bias: question them
• Edit: edit non-essentials out of life
• Limit: set + communicate time boundaries

Execute: Remove obstacles, easy execution

• Buffer: add buffers, be proactive, prepare
• Subtract: address slowest aspect of task
• Progress: start small, celebrate progress
  • Encourage positive
  • Minimum viable progress (test ideas)
• Flow: make the essentials routine
  • End bad ones, start good (find trigger)
• Focus: what’s important this second
  • Can multitask, not multi-focus
• Be: Continually ask what is essential