Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Personal notes taken on "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" - an incredible book by Greg McKeown.

If you don't prioritize your life, someone else will.

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The ability to choose cannot be taken away or even given away - it can only be forgotten.

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Non-essentialist: "I have to." - Forfeits the right to choose.

Essentialist: "I choose to." - Exercises the power of choice.

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The unimportance of practically everything. - Haha, nicely said (reader).

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A Non-essentialist thinks almost everything is essential. Views opportunities as basically equal.

A Essentialist thinks almost everything is nonessential. Distinguishes the vital few from the trivial many.

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Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs. It's about deliberately choosing to be different. ~Michael Porter

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Without great solitude no serious work is possible. ~Pablo Picasso

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In order to have focus we need to escape to focus.

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Nonessentialist:

• Pays attention to the loudest voice.
• Hears everything being said.
• Is overwhelmed by all the information.

Essentialist:

• Pays attention to the signal in the noise.
• Hears what is not being said.
• Scans to find the essence of the information.

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A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest man. ~Roald Dahl

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Nonessentialist thinks:

• One hour less of sleep equals one more hour of productivity.
• Sleep is for failures.
• Sleep is a luxury.
• Sleep breeds laziness.
• Sleep gets in the way of "doing it all".

Essentialist thinks:

• One hour more of sleep equals several more hours of much higher productivity.
• Sleep is for high performers.
• Sleep is a priority.
• Sleep breeds creativity.
• Sleep enables the highest level of mental contribution.

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Nonessentialist:

• Says yes to almost every request or opportunity.
• Uses broad implicit criteria like "If someone I know is doing it, I should do it."

Essentialist:

• Says yes to only the top 10 percent of opportunities.
• Use narrow, explicit criteria like "Is this exactly what I am looking for?"

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If it isn't a clear yes, then it's a clear no.

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Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to says Yes too quickly and not saying No soon enough. ~Josh Billings

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Nonessentialist:

• Asks, "Why stop now when I've already invested so much in this project?"
• Thinks, "If I keep trying, I can make this work."
• Hates admitting to mistake.

Essentialist:

• Asks, "If I weren't already invested in this project, how much would I invest in it now?"
• Thinks, "What else could I do with this time or money if I pulled the plug now?"
• Comfortable with cutting losses.

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The Latin root of the word decision-cis or cid-literally means "to cut" or "to kill".

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Nonessentialist:

• Thinks if you have limits you will be limited.
• Sees boundaries as constraining.
• Exerts effort attempting the direct "no".

Essentialist:

• Knows that if you have limits you will become limitless.
• Sees boundaries as liberating.
• Sets rules in advance that eliminate the need for the direct "no".

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Nonessentialist:

• Assumes the best-case scenario will happen.
• Forces execution at the last minute.

Essentialist:

• Builds in a buffer for unexpected events.
• Practices extreme and early preparation.

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