10 Key Lessons from ESSENTIALISM by @GregoryMcKeown
IMPACTFUL BOOK DECODED.
IMPACTFUL BOOK DECODED.
1// The power of choice
To become an essentialist requires a heightened awareness of our ability to choose.
When we surrender our ability to choose, something or someone else will step in to choose for us.
To become an essentialist requires a heightened awareness of our ability to choose.
When we surrender our ability to choose, something or someone else will step in to choose for us.
2// The unimportance of practically everything
Working hard is important. But more effort does not necessarily yield more results. LESS BUT BETTER does.
You could massively improve the quality of a product by resolving a tiny fraction of the problems.
Working hard is important. But more effort does not necessarily yield more results. LESS BUT BETTER does.
You could massively improve the quality of a product by resolving a tiny fraction of the problems.
3// Trade-offs are real
Trade-offs mean saying yes to any opportunity and saying no to several others.
By forcing us to weigh options and strategically select the best one for us, we significantly increase our chance of achieving the outcome we want.
Trade-offs mean saying yes to any opportunity and saying no to several others.
By forcing us to weigh options and strategically select the best one for us, we significantly increase our chance of achieving the outcome we want.
4// The perks of being unavailable
We need space to escape in order to discern the essential few from the trivial many.
Before we can evaluate what is and isn't essential, we first need to explore options.
Essentialists chose to create the space to explore and ponder.
We need space to escape in order to discern the essential few from the trivial many.
Before we can evaluate what is and isn't essential, we first need to explore options.
Essentialists chose to create the space to explore and ponder.
5// Protect the asset (ourselves)
If we underinvest in ourselves, it means our minds, our bodies, and our spirits, we damage the very tool we need to make our highest contribution.
The most common way people damage this asset is through a LACK OF SLEEP.
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If we underinvest in ourselves, it means our minds, our bodies, and our spirits, we damage the very tool we need to make our highest contribution.
The most common way people damage this asset is through a LACK OF SLEEP.
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Essentialists knows:
a) 1 hour of sleep equals several more hours of much higher productivity
b) Sleep is for high performers
c) Sleep breeds creativity
d) Sleep enables the highest levels of mental contribution
Hence, Prioritize sleep.
Essentialists knows:
a) 1 hour of sleep equals several more hours of much higher productivity
b) Sleep is for high performers
c) Sleep breeds creativity
d) Sleep enables the highest levels of mental contribution
Hence, Prioritize sleep.
6// "Pretty clear" to "Really clear"
When there is a lack of clarity, people experience confusion, stress, and frustration. When there is a high level of clarity, people thrive.
Without clarity and purpose, pursuing something because it is good is not good enough.
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When there is a lack of clarity, people experience confusion, stress, and frustration. When there is a high level of clarity, people thrive.
Without clarity and purpose, pursuing something because it is good is not good enough.
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An essentialist has a strategy that is concrete and inspirational.
Make one decision that eliminates one thousand later decisions.
An essentialist has a strategy that is concrete and inspirational.
Make one decision that eliminates one thousand later decisions.
7// The power of graceful "no"
The right "no" spoken at the right time can change the course of history.
We can say no and regret it for a few minutes, or we can say yes and regret it for years.
The only way out of this trap is to learn to say no firmly and gracefully.
The right "no" spoken at the right time can change the course of history.
We can say no and regret it for a few minutes, or we can say yes and regret it for years.
The only way out of this trap is to learn to say no firmly and gracefully.
8// Create a Buffer (Maintain room for error)
The only thing we can expect is the unexpected. Therefore, whether we can wait or we can prepare. We can create a buffer.
A buffer is something that prevents 2 things from coming into contact and harming each other.
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The only thing we can expect is the unexpected. Therefore, whether we can wait or we can prepare. We can create a buffer.
A buffer is something that prevents 2 things from coming into contact and harming each other.
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Being an essentialist, accept the reality that we can never fully anticipate or prepare for every scenario, or eventually; the future is simply too unpredictable.
Instead, build in buffers for unexpected events and practice extreme and early preparation.
Being an essentialist, accept the reality that we can never fully anticipate or prepare for every scenario, or eventually; the future is simply too unpredictable.
Instead, build in buffers for unexpected events and practice extreme and early preparation.
9// The power of small wins
Instead of trying to accomplish all at once, the better would be to start small and celebrate progress.
When we start small and reward progress, we end up achieving more than when we set big goals.
Instead of trying to accomplish all at once, the better would be to start small and celebrate progress.
When we start small and reward progress, we end up achieving more than when we set big goals.
10// The genius of routine
Routine is one of the most powerful tools for removing obstacles. Without routine, the pull of non-essential distractions will over-power us.
Hence, design a routine that makes achieving what you have identified as essential to the default position.
Routine is one of the most powerful tools for removing obstacles. Without routine, the pull of non-essential distractions will over-power us.
Hence, design a routine that makes achieving what you have identified as essential to the default position.
That's it.
Hope you enjoy reading.
I am sharing book insights daily these days.. so consider following @readerpreneur for more daily valuable threads.
Hope you enjoy reading.
I am sharing book insights daily these days.. so consider following @readerpreneur for more daily valuable threads.
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