Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (2014) is a self-help book by American leadership expert Greg McKeown. A New York Times bestseller, the book focuses on the principles of essentialism and the value of prioritizing what truly matters. McKeown draws from his experience in leadership and productivity research to explore the modern challenges of overwhelming choices and distractions that prevent individuals from focusing on the essentials. Using personal anecdotes, historical examples, and practical advice, McKeown advocates an intentional and meaningful life by emphasizing the importance of saying no, clarifying priorities, and simplifying decision-making.

This guide refers to the 2014 Currency Kindle edition of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.

Summary

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less begins by highlighting The Overwhelming Nature of Modern Society, in which people are bombarded with choices and distractions that lead to a lack of focus and purpose. The text argues that to counteract this, individuals need to adopt the mindset of an essentialist.

Part 1 of Essentialism introduces the concept of essentialism and explores the principles that form its foundation. It discusses the distinction between essentialists and nonessentialists and emphasizes the importance of discerning the essential from the trivial.