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joe451_'s review against another edition
5.0
Achive more with less. When I first heard this, I thought it was just another "Bullshit productivity life hack." This book proved me otherwise. It has convinced me to follow the path of essentialism.
Essentialism is really the definition of good selfishness. It's choosing to say no and saying yes to what's more important. It's cutting all your goals and focusing on what's the most essential right now. It's viewing your time as an assest. Your time is valuable. If u didn't choose how your life goes, someone will do it for you.
Successful people don't do more... they do less. They do only what they really need to do. They cut out any unnecessary distractions. It's important to focus only on one thing, just so you can give it all your energy and progress. It's that simple.
Always ask yourself, what's the most essential right now. What is it that i should remove from my day so i can focus on what really matters only. It requires dedication and discipline to do this. It's the practice of saying NO, saying NO to what really doesn't serve my purpose and meaning.
There was a variation for this approach, which i loved so much, too. It said that you can think of your life as a whole, not just the time increments. I'm thinking of it as seasons.... what season am I currently at?? If it's the gym season, so ama go wild at the gym and maintain what's essential (doing the bare minimum effort) while cutting the nonessential. After you finish start another season.
Method
1. Explore. Discern the trivial many from the vital few. Commit and go big on only a few items. Ask 3 questions:
• What do I feel deeply inspired by?
• What am I particularly talented at?
• What meets a significant need in the world?
2. Eliminate. Cut out the trivial many. Say no to social expectations.
3. Execute. Create a system for removing obstacles to execution.
Protect the Asset: Yourself
Our highest priority is to protect our ability to prioritize. This means reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and generally ensuring our mental health.
Selection
• Wait for the best rather than settling for good enough.
• 90% Rule: As you evaluate an option, think of the single most important criterion and rate the option from 0 to 100. If you rate it any lower than 90, change it to 0, and reject it. This prevents indecision and settling.
• Accept only the top 10% of opportunities. Take only those that are exactly what you're looking for.
• If it isn't a clear yes, then it’s a clear no.
Elimination
• When evaluating an opportunity you have, ask, “If I didn't already have this opportunity, what would I be willing to do to acquire it?” If you wouldn’t do much to acquire it, eliminate it.
• Run a reverse pilot: quietly eliminate (or at least scale back) an effort and see if it makes any difference. If it doesn't, eliminate it.
Essentialism is really the definition of good selfishness. It's choosing to say no and saying yes to what's more important. It's cutting all your goals and focusing on what's the most essential right now. It's viewing your time as an assest. Your time is valuable. If u didn't choose how your life goes, someone will do it for you.
Successful people don't do more... they do less. They do only what they really need to do. They cut out any unnecessary distractions. It's important to focus only on one thing, just so you can give it all your energy and progress. It's that simple.
Always ask yourself, what's the most essential right now. What is it that i should remove from my day so i can focus on what really matters only. It requires dedication and discipline to do this. It's the practice of saying NO, saying NO to what really doesn't serve my purpose and meaning.
There was a variation for this approach, which i loved so much, too. It said that you can think of your life as a whole, not just the time increments. I'm thinking of it as seasons.... what season am I currently at?? If it's the gym season, so ama go wild at the gym and maintain what's essential (doing the bare minimum effort) while cutting the nonessential. After you finish start another season.
Method
1. Explore. Discern the trivial many from the vital few. Commit and go big on only a few items. Ask 3 questions:
• What do I feel deeply inspired by?
• What am I particularly talented at?
• What meets a significant need in the world?
2. Eliminate. Cut out the trivial many. Say no to social expectations.
3. Execute. Create a system for removing obstacles to execution.
Protect the Asset: Yourself
Our highest priority is to protect our ability to prioritize. This means reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and generally ensuring our mental health.
Selection
• Wait for the best rather than settling for good enough.
• 90% Rule: As you evaluate an option, think of the single most important criterion and rate the option from 0 to 100. If you rate it any lower than 90, change it to 0, and reject it. This prevents indecision and settling.
• Accept only the top 10% of opportunities. Take only those that are exactly what you're looking for.
• If it isn't a clear yes, then it’s a clear no.
Elimination
• When evaluating an opportunity you have, ask, “If I didn't already have this opportunity, what would I be willing to do to acquire it?” If you wouldn’t do much to acquire it, eliminate it.
• Run a reverse pilot: quietly eliminate (or at least scale back) an effort and see if it makes any difference. If it doesn't, eliminate it.
carlyxdeexx's review against another edition
2.0
Meh.
The general principles are interesting-ish. But there really wasn’t anything mentioned that I found particularly enlightening. And this was consistently emphasized by the tone of the book, which was nothing short of pretentious. Repetition of the same old ideas and tired writing devices (like asking the reader direct questions) is abundant, and only discredits the book’s central theme of keeping just what’s essential. It made me think a lot about what it means to have the luxury to say no. Because sure, anybody can say no to anybody, but the consequences can be much more than just a brief nuisance depending on a person’s situation? This book focuses on business executives really and no one else.
The general principles are interesting-ish. But there really wasn’t anything mentioned that I found particularly enlightening. And this was consistently emphasized by the tone of the book, which was nothing short of pretentious. Repetition of the same old ideas and tired writing devices (like asking the reader direct questions) is abundant, and only discredits the book’s central theme of keeping just what’s essential. It made me think a lot about what it means to have the luxury to say no. Because sure, anybody can say no to anybody, but the consequences can be much more than just a brief nuisance depending on a person’s situation? This book focuses on business executives really and no one else.
thesimplereader's review against another edition
3.0
3⭐️
Had I not already read Effortless by Greg McKeown, I would have found this book much more enlightening. However, I found it recycled much of the same information.
Had I not already read Effortless by Greg McKeown, I would have found this book much more enlightening. However, I found it recycled much of the same information.
lau_ro's review against another edition
While the idea is intriguing, the author makes use of popular and/or historical figures to prove his point without respect to the persons own philosophy or circumstances, to the point it’s uncomfortable to read.
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
Listening to this book was one of those situations where I didn't know of a book's existence and then, suddenly, it was everywhere. I'd heard the audiobook was good and found it to be more than that: it's brilliant.
Greg McKeown has great insights on how to negotiate a society and tendency toward a life full of busyness, consistent connectivity, and never-ending interruptions and distractions. It isn't a suggestion that is extreme, though there are points that would be difficult for all of us. Instead, it is about transitioning into a life where what we do, who we interact with, the results of choices we make become intentional and full of purpose.
McKeown is delightful to listen to (cue sucker for a great British accent) and I found that I wanted to listen to it when I only had 30 seconds, one minute, small increments. I already recommended this book to some friends as key moments in the text reminded me of someone, but I feel strongly that it is a book everyone should read/listen to.
Greg McKeown has great insights on how to negotiate a society and tendency toward a life full of busyness, consistent connectivity, and never-ending interruptions and distractions. It isn't a suggestion that is extreme, though there are points that would be difficult for all of us. Instead, it is about transitioning into a life where what we do, who we interact with, the results of choices we make become intentional and full of purpose.
McKeown is delightful to listen to (cue sucker for a great British accent) and I found that I wanted to listen to it when I only had 30 seconds, one minute, small increments. I already recommended this book to some friends as key moments in the text reminded me of someone, but I feel strongly that it is a book everyone should read/listen to.
rebeccasarine's review against another edition
4.0
This book is loaded with great information! I am encouraged to find what is essential for me and take steps to make decisions based on that. I will be referencing again and again to help me implement this idea of essentialism in my life. I read it slow to digest the concept and the ideas. I do struggle with how to apply this to my nursing and shift work lifestyle. But I want the clarity of purpose that he speaks about regarding family life and work.
I also think this book would be a great gift for some people in my life.
I also think this book would be a great gift for some people in my life.
krobus's review against another edition
5.0
i'm so thankful this book came into my life. everyone reading this i implore you to pick it up and read it, too. really sound advice & very thought-provoking. i loved it :)