ESSENTIALISM BY GREG McKEOWN

Key Concepts 

• The Core Mindset: Essentialism is based on three simple truths: "I choose," "Only a few things matter," and "I can do anything, but not everything."
• The Paradox of Success: McKeown explains how success can lead to failure because it brings more options and opportunities, which can distract you from the very focus that made you successful in the first place.
• The 90% Rule: When evaluating an option, if it isn't a "9" or a "10" on a scale of 1 to 10, the answer should be a definitive "no." If it isn't a clear "yes," it’s a "no."
• The Power of the "Graceful No": Most people say yes to avoid social awkwardness. The book teaches how to say no firmly and politely, trading short-term popularity for long-term respect and impact.
• Sunk Cost Bias: Essentialists have the courage to admit when they’ve invested in a losing project and cut their losses, rather than throwing good time after bad.
• The Joy of Missing Out (JOMO): Shifting from the fear of missing out to the celebration of missing out on the trivial, so you can fully experience the vital.
• Design for Sleep and Play: Unlike traditional productivity books, Essentialism argues that play is essential for creativity and sleep is a vital investment in our "asset"—our ability to think and contribute.
• Buffering and Planning: Essentialists build in "buffers" (extra time and resources) to handle the unexpected, ensuring that minor glitches don't derail their most important work.
• Edit Your Life: Just as a film editor cuts out great scenes to make a better movie, an Essentialist ruthlessly "edits" their commitments to ensure the final "story" of their life is meaningful.