True to the book's core message, this review will be short. Although it is written more as a business book than a personal psychology book, the principles are equally applicable to all aspects of life.
Essentialism is about prioritising your life, rather than letting someone else set the priorities for you. About doing less, but better. Getting the right things done, rather than just more things. How do you get the right work/life balance when technology leaves you feeling available 24/7/365? How do you set boundaries and say no to extra work/stuff when you are already overloaded?
If you read the previous review of Bronnie Ware's book, you'll remember that the number 1 regret of dying was "I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life that others expected of me". Essentialism is about developing the tools to let you do that. It's also about recognising that life comes with trade-offs and compromises and you can't have it all. You can do anything you want, but you can't do everything.
It will help you get off the conditional happiness cycle. I particularly like the description of "doing things we detest, to buy things we don't need, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't like". This book is all about personal choices. Determining the 20% that produces 80% of the result. Focusing on fewer things and going big, Finding the vital few things and determining "what's important now". Stop dwelling on the past and dreaming about the future, and recognise what's in front of you now. If something you're considering isn't a definite yes, then say no.
There is a lot of stuff in here that will be familiar. Mindfulness, journaling, being present, paying attention. There are some similarities with the Stoic virtue of Temperance or Moderation. Most of all, it's about taking control rather than letting others control you.
I already embrace many of the ideas Greg discusses in this book and recognise many of the work/personal situations he describes. I've been guilty of historically prioritising the wrong things and making some bad decisions. Hopefully, I am making up for that now by following the path of an essentialist.
Comments