'Essentialism'

“If you don’t build your dreams, someone will hire you to help build theirs.”

With the innumerable opportunities we face every day, it takes skill to decipher the single most important objective for our lives. ‘Essentialism’ by Greg McKeown provides some valuable insights for those striving to focus on the most impactful work they are capable of. I believe this book may help me move forward in a meaningful direction as I consider the freedom of my current life stage.

I found this book through the ‘Tim Ferriss Show’, in an episode where McKeown seemed to lead Ferriss through the process of essentialism, rather than simply answering questions regarding his work. I admired the vulnerability and depth which Ferriss revealed through his interaction with McKeown. After hearing this episode, I found the free audiobook on YouTube and jumped right in.

This book contains many manageable bits of information worth referring to over time, the most pertinent being a disciplined pursuit of less. As I embark on a new stage in my life, I will engage in a disciplined pursuit of less in hopes of clarifying my personal mission so that I may focus on the most impactful work possible.

The disciplined pursuit of less goes beyond physical objects, to a mindset in which you truly consider your priorities. A pursuit of less allows you to create clarity by eliminating distractions or ideas you are half interested in. I enjoy many sports, adventures, creative works (journaling, writing, drawing), as well as home building/design. With so many interests, I desire to create a powerful life purpose which engages those interests. I am now starting fresh and can decide my intended direction, which I must consider thoughtfully to not stretch myself thin on lower level activities. I hope to enact a disciplined pursuit of less so that I may uncover what is essential in my life.

The core lesson McKeown teaches through ‘Essentialism’ is that every individual, when faced with adversity, is capable of discerning what is essential, then eliminating the rest from their mind and actions.