"ESSENTIALISM" By Greg McKeown | Book Reflection

In one word, I’d describe this book as: essential. (Pun intended.)

The premise seems simple, to cut out all the unnecessary tasks in your life and focus intently on the few things that are important to you. To understand this is one thing, but to implement it in your life is something else.

But when you do implement it, it’s life changing.

And this book teaches you exactly how. It covers everything from the mindset of an “essentialist” to the power of rest, to why and how people can learn to say NO, and so much more.

While reading the book there was a moment in nearly each chapter where I felt like the author, Greg McKeown, knew me personally and wrote this book for me. I’m sure you’ll have a similar experience.

One idea that stuck with me (among many) was the power of choice. The concept that if we don’t actively choose what we want in our life, someone or something will choose it for us. If we don’t decide what to prioritize in our life and say no to the rest, we will keep getting buried underneath file after file of other people’s wants for us and never get to what brings us meaning and fulfillment in the long term.

I used to be someone who really thought I could do it all. I still think I can, and I think you can too—except not all at once. This book helped me figure out how to do one thing at a time and slowly stack it in a way where I do each thing meaningfully and hopefully God willing at the end of my life I can look back and be fulfilled not with the outcome of anything, but enjoying the process is each thing.

If you’re someone who is “busy” and often find yourself not actually being productive or thinking you are when you’re not actually, this is for you.

If you’re someone who thinks time for rest is a “luxury” and something you “don’t have time for but would ideally like” this is for you.

If you have too many commitments and are a people pleaser or recovering people pleasers and can’t ever say no or try to but can’t, this is for you.

Honestly, even if none of those things apply, there is so much value and goodness in this book,  it can help refine the life you’re currently living to one where you do less, but achieve more.

It’s a textbook for life and one that I plan on referencing quite often.