Name: Jenna Whitlow's review of Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Item: Essentialism
Rating: 2
Author: Jenna Whitlow

Greg McKeown

Outlines a systematic framework for enabling greater productivity without overworking, sharing strategies on how to eliminate unnecessary tasks while streamlining essential employee functions. By the co-author of the best-selling Multipliers. 75,000 first printing.

The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Essentialism

Have you ever found yourself struggling with information overload? Have you ever felt both overworked and underutilised? Do you ever feel busy but not productive? If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is to become an Essentialist. In Essentialism, Greg McKeown, CEO of a Leadership and Strategy agency in Silicon Valley who has run courses at Apple, Google and Facebook, shows you how to achieve what he calls the disciplined pursuit of less. Being an Essentialist is about a disciplined way of thinking. It means challenging the core assumption of ‘We can have it all’ and ‘I have to do everything’ and replacing it with the pursuit of ‘the right thing, in the right way, at the right time'. By applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, the pursuit of less allows us to regain control of our own choices so we can channel our time, energy and effort into making the highest possible contribution toward the goals and activities that matter. Using the experience and insight of working with the leaders of the most innovative companies and organisations in the world, McKeown shows you how to put Essentialism into practice in your own life, so you too can achieve something great.

Claudine

By taking the time to get clear about the one thing that is really required, the Essentialist leader makes follow-up so easy and frictionless that it actually happens.

Essentialist leaders, on the other hand, communicate the right things to the right people at the right time. Essentialist leaders speak succinctly, opting for restraint in their communication to keep the team focused. When they do speak, they are crystal clear.

The Nonessentialist leader communicates in code, and as a result people aren’t sure what anything really means.

Peter Thiel took “less but better” to an unorthodox level when he insisted that PayPal employees select one single priority in their role—and focus on that exclusively.

As PayPal executive Keith Rabois recalls: “Peter required that everyone be tasked with exactly one priority. He would refuse to discuss virtually anything else with you except what was currently assigned as your #1 initiative.

When other people are saying yes, you will find yourself saying no. When other people are doing, you will find yourself thinking. When other people are speaking, you will find yourself listening. When other people are in the spotlight, vying for attention, you will find yourself waiting on the sidelines until it is time to shine. While other people are padding their résumés and building out their LinkedIn profiles, you will be building a career of meaning. While other people are complaining (read: bragging) about how busy they are, you will just be smiling sympathetically, unable to relate. While other people are living a life of stress and chaos, you will be living a life of impact and fulfillment. In many ways, to live as an Essentialist in our too-many-things-all-the-time society is an act of quiet revolution.

Our clarity becomes clouded, and soon we find ourselves spread too thin. Now, instead of being utilized at our highest level of contribution, we make only a millimeter of progress in a million directions. Ultimately, our success becomes a catalyst for our failure.

Training yourself to tune into kairos will not only enable you to achieve a higher level of contribution but also make you happier.

Pay attention through the day for your own kairos moments. Write them down in your journal. Think about what triggered that moment and what brought you out of it. Now that you know what triggers the moment, try to re-create it.

This had two purposes. First, it ensured I wouldn’t forget about those ideas, which might prove useful later. Second, it alleviated that stressful and distracting feeling that I needed to act upon them right this second.

Getting the future out of your head enables you to more fully focus on “what is important now.” In this case, my next step was to sit down and list those things that might have been essential—just not right now. So I opened to another page in my journal. This time, I asked myself, “What might you want to do someday as a result of today?” This was not a list of firm commitments, just a way to get all of the ideas out of my head and on paper.

When faced with so many tasks and obligations that you can’t figure out which to tackle first, stop. Take a deep breath. Get present in the moment and ask yourself what is most important this very second—not what’s most important tomorrow or even an hour from now. If you’re not sure, make a list of everything vying for your attention and cross off anything that is not important right now.

It wasn’t just the sheer number of things that felt overwhelming, it was that familiar stress of many tasks vying for top billing at the same time. As I felt the anxiety and tension rise I stopped. I knelt down. I closed my eyes and asked, “What’s important now?” After a moment of reflection I realized that until I knew what was important right now, what was important right now was to figure out what was important right now! I stood up. I tidied up. I put all of the objects strewn around me away, in their proper place, so they wouldn’t distract me and pressure me to do their bidding every time I walked by. I turned off my phone. It was such a relief to have a barrier between me and someone’s ability to text me. I opened my journal and wrote about the day. It centered me. I wrote a list in pencil of all the things on my mind. Then I clarified this by asking, “What do you need to do to be able to go to sleep peacefully?”

Essentialists live their whole lives in this manner. And because they do, they can apply their full energy to the job at hand. They don’t diffuse their efforts with distractions. They know that execution is easy if you work hard at it and hard if you work easy at it.

Nonessentialists tend to be so preoccupied with past successes and failures, as well as future challenges and opportunities, that they miss the present moment. They become distracted. Unfocused. They aren’t really there. The way of the Essentialist is to tune into the present. To experience life in kairos, not just chronos. To focus on the things that are truly important—not yesterday or tomorrow, but right now.

The ancient Greeks had two words for time. The first was chronos. The second was kairos. The Greek god Chronos was imagined as an elderly, gray-haired man, and his name connotes the literal ticking clock, the chronological time, the kind we measure (and race about trying to use efficiently). Kairos is different. While it is difficult to translate precisely, it refers to time that is opportune, right, different. Chronos is quantitative; kairos is qualitative. The latter is experienced only when we are fully in the moment—when we exist in the now.

It’s natural and human to obsess over past mistakes or feel stress about what may be ahead of us. Yet every second spent worrying about a past or future moment distracts us from what is important in the here and now.

...to operate at your highest level of contribution requires that you deliberately tune in to what is important in the here and now.

Second, the question “What’s important now?” helps them stay focused on how they are playing. Larry believes a huge part of winning is determined by whether the players are focused on their own game or on their opponent’s game. If the players start thinking about the other team they lose focus. Consciously or not, they start wanting to play the way the other team is playing. They get distracted and divided. By focusing on their game in the here and now, they can all unite around a single strategy. This level of unity makes execution of their game plan relatively frictionless.

But the right routines can actually enhance innovation and creativity by giving us the equivalent of an energy rebate. Instead of spending our limited supply of discipline on making the same decisions again and again, embedding our decisions into our routine allows us to channel that discipline toward some other essential activity.

He also gave Phelps a routine for what to think about as he went to sleep and first thing when he awoke. He called it “Watching the Videotape.”2 There was no actual tape, of course. The “tape” was a visualization of the perfect race. In exquisite detail and slow motion Phelps would visualize every moment from his starting position on top of the blocks, through each stroke, until he emerged from the pool, victorious, with water dripping off his face. Phelps didn’t do this mental routine occasionally. He did it every day before he went to bed and every day when he woke up—for years. When Bob wanted to challenge him in practices he would shout, “Put in the videotape!” and Phelps would push beyond his limits. Eventually the mental routine was so deeply ingrained that Bob barely had to whisper the phrase, “Get the videotape ready,” before a race. Phelps was always ready to “hit play.”

Instead of going for the big, flashy wins that don’t really matter, the Essentialist pursues small and simple wins in areas that are essential.

From the chapter on Focus - 'Multitasking vs Multifocusing'

There are often multiple obstacles to achieving any essential intent. However, at any one time there is only ever one priority; removing arbitrary obstacles can have no effect whatsoever if the primary one still doesn’t budge.

Pratyay Banerjee

Jenna Whitlow

2.5 stars ⭑⭑

To be honest, I skimmed through the last third of this audiobook.

I guess the core of the book is fine, though it could have been written in probably a hundred pages less. I think it's good advice to be intentional about where you invest your money and time. There are a lot of distractions around us and making sure to take certain steps so that you're not constantly strung out and exhausted is important. Manage your FOMO by knowing your limits. Having boundaries with your work is great. These things seem obvious, but maybe you're the kind of person who needs these reminders.

Though the core message is good, I was so annoyed at the amount of privilege that you would need to posses to apply a lot of McKeown's advice. A lot of people don't have the luxury of saying no to opportunities that come their way. The "Eliminate" section of the book is especially tone deaf (don't even get me started at the brief blurb about Rosa Parks. Her saying no to moving from her spot on that bus, which was an intentional act of protest that she knew would start a regional bus ban, and a rich white man saying no to a different job opportunity simply aren't the same thing).

I have bills to pay, dude. I don't have the luxury of being so picky. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, or work jobs that aren't the absolute most ideal for your long-term career goals so you can keep a roof over your head. And I know there are people who don't even have the privilege or safety nets that I have, and I can only imagine this would be really frustrating to read for them as well.

If you really want to read this, I would get the book on audible, listen to the first chapter (the author's voice is nice), and then exchange the credit for something better. You'll get the gist.

Aamna

Expect every chapter to begin with a quote. And then expect a bunch of more quotes and anecdotes from every famous personality you can think of. Little practical information. Conventional wisdom like  'Be Present' etc.

Mark Palfreeman 

Loved the themes of this book:
- Say "no" to more things.
- Determine what's the most important thing.
- Do less, but better.
- Focus, create habits, prioritize.

As with any business/life/self-help book, it can drag its point out slightly, but I enjoyed this one quite a bit more than the average and found lots of chapters to be helpful and inspiring!

Jannis M

"the way of the essentialist" strikes me a little odd sometimes... Maybe I did not listen carefully enough, but I would assume I would affront a lot of friends and close acquaintances by saying: "Sorry, I cannot do that. It is not essential to me"
Maybe it helps with making the most out of one's own limited time, but what about the connection to others? I would assume, that 'doing things for others, that are not essential to one's own goals' could help make a greater impact overall in the long term.

Disclaimer: I enjoyed listening to the book and I think there are practical things in there, that could prove helpful (especially for somebody like me, who makes it his own mission to solve other's problems). I am just not quite sure yet, if I really want to be the essentialist described in this book.

3rd or 4th time through. Basically an annual read/reminder now. Truly essential for anyone wanting to live a more thoughtful life. 

Brandon Eckroth

Keven Wang

2nd reread. Like it a bit better. Specially after I read a lot of the authors mentioned jn the book.

Jowanza Joseph

One of the most thoughtful books I read on a topic that is easy to slip into dogma.

Nick Gracilla

At long last, “I. Am. So. Busy!” is ceding control over most reflective people's lives and minimalism is having its day, with Marie Kondo becoming famous and a verb (“I Marie Kondo-ed my garage this weekend”), and Millburn and Nicodemus over at The Minimalists preaching the art of making room for more—more creativity, experiences, freedom, contribution—by clearing out the clutter that’s in the way. McKeown’s Essentialism seeks to do similar work, primarily in the work context: we must distinguish between time- and task- management strategies that help us get more things done, to the disciplined pursuit of getting the right things done, fewer of them, and better. Cue up plenty of work you’ve already seen in other areas, from Flow to the Power Of Small Wins, saying “no” by Getting To Yes, the Value Of Sleeping 8 Hours, and more. But there’s plenty of original thinking here, too, and lots of strategies of getting to what’s important, and staying focused on it until it's done. I also liked the contrast tables throughout the book: the essentialist vs nonessentialist way of thinking, acting, doing in various contexts. I did find the occasional big bold page-sized pull quotes disrupting and poorly designed — I read during my commute so nosey seatmates got their fill of aphorisms like IN ORDER TO HAVE FOCUS WE NEED TO ESCAPE TO FOCUS regularly — but they were few enough to skip over. Recommended.

Arturo Hernández

This book introduces essentialism as a way of living. It places strong focus on the decisions we make on a day-to-day basis, stating that if you change that you can change everything. It challenges the reader to question what is really important (and do that with all of their energy) and to discard everything else that only slows you down.

It could be perceived as something a little bit extremist, however I appreciate the intent behind the message of this book (a life of less but more).

I think one can provide the skinny on this via a few key points:

The book repeatedly emphasizes that and includes tips on how to implement, through examples/anecdotes (a lot of them of Silicon Valley folk).

 side by side. That really got to me, probably because right before reading this, I actually woke up in the middle of the night (FOR SOME REASON??) thinking about a recent event and what people would've thought of me then, and how I need to make up for it in the future. Whew.

Overall, this has been a timely read, and just perfect to wrap up the year with.

I think one can provide the skinny on this via a few key points:

Know your focus. This'll determine what you say 'no' to.

What's essential will determine your habits. You can only fully live as a true Essentialist if you naturally behave as one. And that means you have to establish a system to make that happen.

The book repeatedly emphasizes that and includes tips on how to implement, through examples/anecdotes (a lot of them of Silicon Valley folk).

My favorite part would be the kairos and chronos side by side. That really got to me, probably because right before reading this, I actually woke up in the middle of the night (FOR SOME REASON??) thinking about a recent event and what people would've thought of me then, and how I need to make up for it in the future. Whew.

Overall, this has been a timely read, and just perfect to wrap up the year with.

Andy Sporring

In my pursuit of finding a more sustainable and minimalistic life i read books that can help and inspire me on my way

Neil Murray

I prioritized listening to this book rather than tackling my inbox ;) And I’m pleased I did, it’s a strong reminder of the importance of removing the non-essential in both your personal and professional life and how in doing so you can become more productive and more importantly, happier.

Inese Avota

Book with an invaluable reminder and lesson: almost everything one pursues is noise, very few things and endeavours are essential. Only when you stop majoring in minor activities and focus on a key set of pursuits will you be able to make your best contribution towards the things that really matter (what matters of course is up to you, but the principle remains true regardless). If you’re like me, working towards distilling life to its bare constituents, you will derive value from this book or at at least find familiar ideas formulated into a nicely comprehensive (almost too comprehensive coming from an essentialist) manual, which comes with an essential pain point. It turns preachy towards to end, inviting the reader to join the new awakened essentialist cult.

Dave Perkins

I really like his main point, and the first couple of chapters were killer. Basically, what’s on the back of the book expanded a bit, with good diagrams. Ironically, we then go down a whole load of routes that aren’t essential to his point and aren’t as good. It’s all a fairly decent check in on whether you’re prioritising the important things in your life over the busyness of work. However, It does stay fairly shallow and you leave the book feeling like you’ve not really journeyed anywhere.

Rick Dobrowolski

Good in its concepts. A little too long in length.

"Have you ever found yourself stretched too thin? Do you simultaneously feel overworked and underutilized? Are you often busy but not productive? Do you feel your time is constantly being hijacked by other people's agendas? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the way out is the way of the Essentialist. Essentialism isn't about getting more done in less time. It's about getting only the right things done. Only once we discern what is absolutely essential and eliminate everything else can we make our highest possible contribution toward things that truly matter. By forcing us to apply more selective criteria for where to spend our precious time and energy, the disciplined pursuit of less empowers us to reclaim control of our own choices, instead of giving others the implicit permission to choose for us. Essentialism is not one more thing to do. It's a whole new way of doing less, but better, in every area of our lives"--Back cover.

Rebeca Keren Nuñez

Breve, pero con ideas muy concretas. Muy interesante e importante para estos tiempos. Para leer y re leer.

Brigid prior 

Not a huge fan of the diction in this book- for instance, "your highest contribution," so it was slightly hard to get through. However, it had many many points that gave me clarity around my day-to-day. Most importantly, it has actually changed the way I work and live- and I like that way better. Major points for that.

I recommend reading- not listening on audiobook- to this book.

Melanie Richards

3.5 stars. As others noted, this could have been a shorter book (lol), and this genre always contains eye-rolly bits, but in general the message is good and there’s some clear action items to help you on your way.

One day I’ll read a personal development or business or UX book that isn’t IN LOVE with the Twitter boys. Hold no heroes, buds.

Vince Nguyen

Clear, actionable, full of examples and inspiration

A succint, empowering and practical read. The message is simple but Greg created a powerful framework to deliver that message with lots of relatable examples. There are a lot of interesting intersections with concepts such as Stoicism, mindfulness, zen, Atomic Habits.. 

Absolutely a must-read in this era of chaos, noise and diverging attention.

Nadine 

A timely reminder on prioritising, focusing and getting the right things done. Somewhat longer than necessary and quite a few "old chestnut" examples. But a good read as I prepare mentally for the new year.

Safiya 

By essence (pun not intended), we all thrive to reach the promised Nirvana of being contempt while owning less, achieving more by doing less, and so on.. This book is not a revelation, it is rather a long entertaining blog, that feels more like a friend's confession...
I think that the journey towards "Essentialism" as the author names it, is par défaut, everyone's quest. It is even natural that at some point one has to focus on what is important and skip the superfluous. It is not an asceticism in itself, rather a little discipline to be more organised and focused.
The ideas are oldish, but a reminder's always good..

Maggie Delano

As someone already convinced of the necessities of "Essentialism" from the beginning, I didn't find this book to be super helpful. The emphasis was much more on explaining what "Essentialism" is and what it means, rather than how to actually apply it. I'd recommend something like Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth for more concrete examination of your life and clear action steps.

Omar Fernandez

It could have been shorter, but I found that the stories and the length dedicated to the chapters and various points helped illustrate things effectively. I'll read this book again as needed to truly internalize its message, in particular, when the temptation of doing "more things" comes up.

Henri Bredt

A startling guide to living a simpler, more meaningful life by focussing on the essential things and saying no more often. Good read!

Pratyay Banerjee &
Essentialism by Greg McKeown

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