“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,” by Greg McKeown, is an illuminating guide encouraging his readers to reassess their priorities and focus on what truly matters. The book aims to free its readers from the confines of the modern world’s “more is better” dogma through real-life examples, in-depth analysis, and practical guidance.
McKeown begins by highlighting the problem of “non-essentialism,” which is the tendency to spread oneself too thin by saying yes to everything and trying to do it all. The book argues that this approach leads to being busy but unproductive and prevents individuals from reaching their full potential. On the other hand, essentialism is about discerning what truly matters and dedicating one’s resources to those areas. By eliminating non-essentials in our lives, we can focus on what truly matters and thereby lead more fulfilled and productive lives. McKeown presents a dichotomy between the Essentialist and the Non-Essentialist, showing how the former achieves more by doing less.
Throughout the book, McKeown offers valuable lessons and strategies for incorporating essentialism into our day-to-day work and life. Here are my five key takeaways:
- The Power of Choice: McKeown continually emphasizes that we have control over where we direct our attention and efforts. Many of us often feel our commitments and responsibilities are forced upon us, but Essentialism challenges us to reassert our agency and choose what we want to focus on. This involves deep introspection to identify our values, passions, and talents, then prioritizing our lives around them.
When we forget our ability to choose, we learn to be helpless.
- The Importance of Less but Better: The principle of “less but better” is the heart of Essentialism. McKeown argues that by doing fewer things, we can do those things better and make a more significant impact. This isn’t about being a minimalist in every aspect of life but rather about carefully curating our activities, commitments, and even our possessions so that everything we engage in or keep adds significant value.
Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done.
- Understanding Trade-offs: Every choice we make comes with a trade-off. When we say yes to one thing, we say no to another. Essentialists recognize this and make deliberate decisions based on their understanding of trade-offs. Instead of trying to fit everything in, they focus on selecting the right things that align with their values and contribute to their goals.
We can either make our choices deliberately or allow other people’s agendas to control our lives.
- The Role of Sleep: Contrary to popular belief that sleep is a luxury or even a sign of laziness, McKeown stresses that sleep is necessary for productivity. It helps rejuvenate our minds, improving concentration, enhancing creativity, and keeping our decision-making skills sharp. Essentialism encourages us to regard sleep as a priority, not an afterthought.
Sleep is a priority. We can’t do our best work when we’re running on empty.
- Saying No: One of the most complex yet crucial skills for an Essentialist is the ability to say no. In our desire to please others, we often find ourselves saying yes to things that don’t contribute to our essential goals. McKeown encourages us to set boundaries and say no to non-essentials, even if it might disappoint others in the short term.
Remember that if you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will
While McKeown’s work in this book is intriguing and valuable, it leaves me conflicted on two main points.
- Oversimplification: McKeown presents two distinct categories of people: the Essentialist and the Non-Essentialist. The Essentialist is portrayed as someone in control, focused, and living a fulfilling life, while the Non-Essentialist is described as being stretched too thin, over-committed, and unfocused. This dichotomy, while effectively illustrating the core concept of Essentialism, is an oversimplification of reality. Life is complex, and people’s experiences, behaviors, and attitudes often exist along a continuum rather than fitting neatly into one category or another. For example, a person might exhibit Essentialist behaviors in one area of their life (such as their career) while being a Non-Essentialist in another area (like personal hobbies or social commitments).
- Privilege and Essentialism: The ability to choose what’s essential in one’s life is often a privilege afforded to those with a certain level of socioeconomic stability, job security, and personal autonomy. While focusing only on what’s truly essential is universally appealing, its practical application may be challenging for individuals who are under economic or social stress. For example, a person working multiple jobs to support their family may find it hard to say “no” to extra shifts, even if these are “non-essential” to their personal goals or well-being. Similarly, a single parent juggling work and childcare might not have the luxury to eliminate non-essential tasks that nonetheless contribute to their family’s survival and well-being.
That notwithstanding, Greg McKeown’s “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” provides insightful advice and helpful tips for readers looking to re-evaluate their priorities and pay attention to what matters most in their lives.
