Essentialism: Less But Better – Book Review

To some, this may seem like just another self-help book, like just another book you’ll buy and then leave somewhere in the house. Essentialism, by Greg McKeown, is anything but. The book is an essential read for anyone trying to simplify their life by removing the excess load off their shoulders. 

I first learned about Greg McKeown and his books while listening to one of my favorite podcasts Feel Better, Live More. One of the first things said about the quote was a direct quote:  “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” This certainly caught my attention. How would someone else prioritize my own life? And why?

“the vital few from the trivial many.” 

I have recently felt myself struggling to gain control over my time. Daily, I have to juggle my commitments to my family, friends, work, and my studies. To cope with these struggles, however, I have caught myself turning to certain ideas or learnings I gained in the book. The Essentialism provided me with a fresh, new perspective regarding time management and, ultimately, triggered a reevaluation of my decision-making process and time utilization. At the time I was taking on a lot of tasks and projects, many of which were not essential to me. I was following the ideology  of “try out everything until something produces a result.” In reality, I wasn’t progressing much in any direction and by following this idea, I was scattering my energy and time throughout way too many places.

Greg McKeown takes the saying “less is more” to a new level. He applies it to the use of our time and the number of activities we take on. His view is that in order to produce quality outcomes, we must remove the nonessential items that slow us down. Focus on a few areas, but focus hard. Wholeheartedly devote your time and attention. By doing so, you will succeed in what matters.

Essential Changes 

The book had a positive impact on me. Some of these changes were

• I am more considerate of the activities I take on and how they fit my current schedule and workload
• I am more cautious when someone asks me to take on an extra activity. We very often say “yes” to a lot of the items that come our way. We go on autopilot and end up agreeing to most things, oftentimes because we feel it is the polite thing to do. Then, we end up having way too much going on. This leads to mediocrity and a lack of timely progression. Learning to say “no”  is a vital skill to learn if you haven’t mastered it yet.
• I plan my work days ahead of time and stick to it as much as possible. Of course, unexpected things happen, but if we are mindful of our schedule, such unexpected turns take a large toll on our success.
• I started prioritizing my activities. I decide on what my priority is and make sure it stays at the center. Until I read the book, I often used the word “priorities” to classify many things as being the most important. Now I focus on just a couple and make sure they are given the time and attention required for their completion.
• I removed a few projects and activities that seemed helpful and important but weren’t producing much traction. I transferred the freed time to the projects that are essential to my work and goals.

“Most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquility. Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’”
– Marcus Aurelius

Essentialism Critiques

As with anything else in life, this book is not perfect. In my opinion, the book is best tailored for people who are in a position to choose how and on what to spend their time. Such people are the professional upper-class CEOs, senior managers, or perhaps those working their way up to such positions. 

Although it may not provide as many practical concepts, it would still be helpful to people in roles where they don’t have control over their workload. I think the principles promoted by Greg McKeown would be beneficial to everyone who wants to improve the quality of their lives either by freeing some time or focusing their time to work on projects that would help them project themselves further. 

The principles can be applied by anyone in our everyday lives. We all have friends who keep asking us to help with things they don’t want to do themselves or find ourselves receiving too many invitations for friends and family gatherings that leave us tired and short of time to work on our goals. Don’t quit all, but set boundaries. Set free time aside to work on what is important to you.

I would also like to address a critique I read about the book. A reader was accusing McKeown of promoting laziness and encouraging people to quit their responsibilities. This statement could not have been any further from the truth. The author does not promote this attitude. On the contrary, through the concept of Essentialism, he encourages all of us to remove the non-essential in our life and use the energy and the time freed for the few things that matter. He doesn’t promote loading your work on your colleagues, but rather avoiding putting theirs on your shoulders.

“Working hard is important. But more effort does not necessarily yield more results. ‘Less but better’ does.”

Conclusion

Although not all of the rules were directly applicable to my life, I loved the Essentialism book. It promotes a healthy lifestyle that would bring balance and a level of normality to our lives if the rules were implemented. The book inspires you to live a simpler yet more meaningful life.  

Even if you can’t do all Greg McKeown highlights, do some. Any change will have a positive effect on your life and even on your mental health.

Have you read the book? What is your take on it? Please share what you like about the book and what your experience with using the principles is! If you’d like, you can contact me directly.

I am offering a free 1-hour discovery session for new clients. I would love to talk to you and help you get on the road to becoming the best version of yourself.

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The book is available at all major booksellers and online stores. My favorite online book-selling platform in the US is Bookshop.org. Please support local bookstores.