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Essentialism

Greg McKeown, 2014

Learn to separate the vital few from the trivial many, say a graceful no, and build routines that make the work that matters almost effortless.

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15 parts, about 22 minutes to read.

Why read it

  • Names the paradox of success: clarity brings success, success brings more options and demands, and those demands erode the clarity
  • Gives a repertoire for saying no gracefully, from the awkward pause to asking a manager which other project to drop
  • Argues that sleep, play, buffers and removing the one slowest obstacle make you more effective than working harder

Who it is for

  • Professionals who say yes to everything and feel stretched thin
  • Managers who keep adding projects without choosing what matters
  • Overcommitted people who fear disappointing others by refusing

What the summary covers

  1. Less but Better1 min
  2. If You Don't Prioritize Your Life1 min
  3. Why We Try to Do It All2 min
  4. Choose1 min
  5. Discern1 min
  6. Trade off1 min
  7. Space to Think and Look2 min
  8. Play and Sleep2 min
  9. Select1 min
  10. Clarify1 min
  11. Dare2 min
  12. Uncommit, Edit and Limit2 min
  13. Buffer and Subtract2 min
  14. Small Wins, Routine and the Present2 min
  15. Becoming an Essentialist1 min

Recommended by

  • Daniel H. PinkAuthor of To Sell Is Human and Drive
    Greg McKeown believes the answer lies in paring life down to its essentials. He can’t tell you what’s essential to every life, but he can help you find the meaning in yours.
  • Reid HoffmanCofounder and chairman of LinkedIn
    Essentialism offers concise and eloquent advice on how to determine what you care about most, and how to apply your energies in ways that ultimately bring you the greatest rewards.
  • Adam GrantOrganizational psychologist and Wharton professor
    Essentialism holds the keys to solving one of the great puzzles of life: How can we do less but accomplish more?
  • Jeff WeinerCEO of LinkedIn
    In Essentialism, Greg McKeown makes a compelling case for achieving more by doing less. He reminds us that clarity of focus and the ability to say ‘no’ are both critical and undervalued in business today.
  • Robert I. SuttonProfessor at Stanford University
    Essentialism is a powerful antidote to the current craziness that plagues our organizations and our lives.
  • Chris GuillebeauAuthor of The $100 Startup
    As a self-proclaimed ‘maximalist’ who always wants to do it all, this book challenged me and improved my life.
  • Tim BrownCEO of IDEO
    Great design takes us beyond the complex, the unnecessary and confusing, to the simple, clear and meaningful.
  • Bill RiellySenior Vice President, Intel Security
    Essentialism is a rare gem that will change lives.

About the author

  • Greg McKeownBritish author, speaker and business strategist
    • Born in 1977 in London, England.
    • Earned an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a doctorate at the University of Cambridge.
    • Worked in the Global Leadership Practice at Heidrick and Struggles and helped research and write Multipliers.
    • Founder and CEO of McKeown Inc, a leadership and strategy design agency in California.
    • Inducted into the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders in 2012.
    • Has written two New York Times bestsellers, Essentialism and Effortless, published in 37 languages.
    • Has spoken to over 500 companies in more than 40 countries; clients include Apple, Google, Microsoft and Nike.

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