• Essentialism

  • The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
  • By: Greg McKeown
  • Narrated by: Greg McKeown
  • Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (20,344 ratings)

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Essentialism  By  cover art

Essentialism

By: Greg McKeown
Narrated by: Greg McKeown
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, April 2014 - At times we all feel the pressure to take on more than we can handle – to pack our schedules full and be all things to all people. We may think we’re doing the right thing, but as Greg McKeown lays out in his new book, ultimately this behavior leads us to feel stressed out, overworked, and under-satisfied. Essentialism is a call to arms to stop the craziness and apply a structured discipline that will help to identify and foster what matters. By cutting out the nonessential, we can in-turn achieve productivity, fulfillment, and success. Regina, Audible Editor

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • More than one million copies sold! Essentialism isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done.

“A timely, essential read for anyone who feels overcommitted, overloaded, or overworked.”—Adam Grant

Have you ever:

  • Found yourself stretched too thin?
  • Simultaneously felt overworked and underutilized?
  • Felt busy but not productive?
  • Felt like your time is constantly being hijacked by other people’s agendas?

If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is the Way of the Essentialist.

Essentialism is more than a time-management strategy or a productivity technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution toward the things that really matter.

By forcing us to apply more selective criteria for what is Essential, the disciplined pursuit of less empowers us to reclaim control of our own choices about where to spend our precious time and energy—instead of giving others the implicit permission to choose for us.

Essentialism is not one more thing—it’s a whole new way of doing everything. It’s about doing less, but better, in every area of our lives. Essentialism is a movement whose time has come.

©2014 Greg McKeown (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

Essentialism will give you richer, sweeter results and put you in real control, giving greater precision to the pursuit of what truly matters.”Forbes

“In this likeable and astute treatise on the art of doing less in order to do better...McKeown makes the content fresh and the solutions easy to implement. Following his lucid and smart directions will help readers find ‘the way of the essentialist.’”Success

“Do you feel it, too? That relentless pressure to sample all the good things in life? To do all the ‘right’ things? The reality is, you don’t make progress that way. Instead, you’re in danger of spreading your efforts so thin that you make no impact at all. Greg McKeown believes the answer lies in paring life down to its essentials. He can’t tell you what’s essential to every life, but he can help you find the meaning in yours.”—Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell is Human and Drive

What listeners say about Essentialism

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Awesome Essential!

Great book that is a must for anyone interested in deeply exploring Essentialism. Being an essentialist is full of benefits. Actually it is the right and most effective way to approach the hectic life we are all experiencing one way or the other. I enjoyed the narrating of Greg. It is always a big plus to have the author narrating his creation.

This is a must read. I highly recommend it and will absolutely check more books by Greg Mckeown.

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Lifechanging

This book challenges your basic life values in a profound way. It presents an alternative way of organizing your life by focusing on what gives you the greatest value in return.

This book made me think and evaluate my life. And to me these are the best books!

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Excellent!

Very interesting and well worth the read! It gives you a lot to think about.

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Life Changing

This book is changing my life with every word. It is helping see what is truly important and showing me the path to focus on that which is truly important. And that's a gift. My thanks to the author.

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Essential Content

My friend recommended this book to me and it has been such a help! It's amazing. it's almost crazy to think we miss out on the simplest and smallest essentials in life. This book reminds us and teaches us how to stay in tune and regain consciousness of just that.

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Live and Lead with Intention

Eliminate the non-essential, say no often, set extreme boundaries and criteria, edit your life, adopt a routine, focus and celebrate small wins.
With a clear purpose we all can reach our highest potential. This book is a great reminder to focus on what really matters so we do not waste the precious time we have.

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A way to live life to the fullest.

I liked this book because it helped clarify other codes and beliefs I have. I was neither pompous or overbearing. Zen like is more apt. I rated it as a glass full.

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  • D
  • 10-25-18

Decide what you really need

The author points out what we could do without and simplify our life. Learn to say No.

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Such a great book

If you truly apply the principles included in this book and can be extremely life-changing

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Excellent read!

Loved it! l can relate to it in my own daily life. I want to become an Essentialist!

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