Essentialism

By: Greg McKeown

Narrated by: Greg McKeown

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

Have you ever found yourself struggling with information overload?

Have you ever felt both overworked and underutilised?

Do you ever feel busy but not productive?

If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is to become an essentialist.

In Essentialism, Greg McKeown, CEO of a leadership and strategy agency in Silicon Valley who has run courses at Apple, Google and Facebook, shows you how to achieve what he calls the disciplined pursuit of less. Being an essentialist is about a disciplined way of thinking. It means challenging the core assumptions of "we can have it all" and "I have to do everything" and replacing them with the pursuit of "the right thing in the right way at the right time".

By applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, the pursuit of less allows us to regain control of our own choices so we can channel our time, energy and effort into making the highest possible contribution toward the goals and activities that matter.

Using the experience and insight of working with the leaders of the most innovative companies and organisations in the world, McKeown shows you how to put Essentialism into practice in your own life, so you, too, can achieve something great.

©2015 Greg McKeown (P)2015 Random House AudioBooks

Enlightening yet practical

This book is life-changing.
I have enjoyed all of it. I think everything written on this book is useful. In a world where there is too much going on all around and too much noise in the outside and inside, this book helps one to persue wholly the most important things and only what matters most to get the best out life and lead a meaningful life for oneself and for the whole world.
I'm definitely re-reading it again.

Less is More

Essentialism is a great concept and well explained and described in this book. Lots of examples and ways to include it in your life.
It is a different mindset and will take a while to implement and incorporate. I read this book with Deep Work, they compliment each other.
Highly recommend.

absolutely loved it

what a great way to say the new year!

instead of looking to add new things in, it's all about minimising your priorities to the most essential

say no to more things to create space for the important things in your life

just awesome:

Self-help but smart

Self help books rightly have a poor reputation for lots of salesmanship and little substance. But this is a smart, nuanced and pragmatic book. There are lots of useful insights and practical hints that can be applied widely. The basic thesis itself (less but better) is fairly anodyne, but the focus on trying to apply this in a disciplined way is what makes the book stand out. I also enjoyed hearing the author read the book, to give it the personal touch.

A must read for Simplicity Seekers

If you desire an extraordinary life, seek simplicity. If you don't know where to start, read (or listen) to this book.

Very interesting, informative and well narrated

Very interesting, informative and well narrated. Enjoyed the book from beginning to end, highly recommended...

Absolutely awesome

And very essential indeed. Life changing. Getting me all set up and ready to make changes. Very motivating and actionable. Listening to chapters over and over.

life changing

great book. easy to follow with a clear message. thoroughly enjoyed working through this. I highly recommend this book.

Well researched to bring you the best perspectives of history's inspirational figures

Thank you Greg McKeown for your work that is edited to perfection. It's made your message concise and clear; so your views and borrowed views are easily consumed. I've learnt a lot and look forward to reading it again to dissect more learnings to apply to my life. A tip for readers of this review, you may also enjoy Everything That Remains, by The Minimalists.

Excellent

Very impressed, one the top 3 audio books I've listened too over 10 years, Thanks

Essential reading for me right now

I have had this book for a while and finally decided to read it over Easter - it was the right book at the right time. I listened to it over a couple of very long bus rides with no interruptions, no distractions and my head in the right space. I found the many essentialist vs non-essentialist examples extremely useful - mainly to bring the learnings of the anecdotes from, mainly, famous and successful people to the everyday decisions we have to make. This is a book I've annotated and would come back to listen to again at various intervals to see how I'm doing. Also enjoyed the reader's voice - easy listen.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Not a bad book

The book does have an interesting narrative. The overall idea is simple, achievable and useful.

On the other hand - this book is a hammer and most of the best literature on the subject is all nails. I've heard most of the common ideas with an "essentialist" attached to them.

Also there is a lot of introduction and a lot of "an essentialist does X". The really useful material is pretty humble.

Overall, this book is good for self-development "beginners" since they'll be learning the most. It would be amazing for them to read the original works mentioned, but this is a good starting point.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

First audio book I've finished since joining :)

Love this book, simple to follow. Case studies were very helpful. Worth the daily habit! I will no doubt listen again and again. First book I have finished and felt was worth the money!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

One of the smartest books Ever!

I always like a book that is read by the author - it gives an even greater insight to the knowledge they are sharing.
There are so many highlights within this book that I could share - however I couldn't do it justice. If you want a guide to working smart where you are given deep insights to the psychology why in a way that isnt preaching - but is real - then this is the book for you.
Im about to listen to it again as there were so many 'nuggets' within the pages.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I don't usually write reviews.

This book probably made me feel more guilt than anything. After so many years in business, working for myself, I have realised where I have gone wrong. Trying to please too many people and reducing the quality of myself to the ones I care most about. The pursute of 'less but better' at home and work will be my goal. Wasting time and effort on meaningless things and time-wasting people or meetings will now stop and quality time with my family, by reducing the nonsense we convince ourselves we need in our working environment will now become my main driver. Thank you Greg.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

A really interesting read.

This will prompt you to rethink your priorities and how you spend your short amount of time on this planet.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Awesome

I liked it so much that I’m going to buy the actual book and annote each pages to fully grasp all the ideas, topics, stories. It was truly inspiring and not boring at all. I recommend it to anyone that wants to improve their life.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great Book

Very eye opening, probably the best book I've ever read. You should definitely read this one.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

World Changing

A book so full of essential knowledge, you will listen to it more than once. With an inspiring reading by the author.

Ask yourself this, what do I have to give up in order to read this book? I assure you that whatever it is will be with the trade off.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Awesome book if you can action it

It's important that this isn't a book you read nod your head in agreement too and then simply continue with life ignoring it's wonderful tips.

A great book and something I'll certainly read again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful