THE DISCIPLINED PURSUIT OF LESS 2014, GREG MCKEOWN
Idea #1: If we become overwhelmed by our tasks, then we lose our ability to make choices for ourselves.
Idea #2: Embrace the idea of “less but better” and accept trade-offs as an inherent part of life. (e.g. Southwest airlines)
Idea #3: Giving yourself space to escape and seeing the bigger picture will help you pick out the vital from the trivial.
Key Idea #4: Get your creative juices flowing by playing – just don’t forget to give yourself time to rest.
Key Idea #5: Be ruthless in cutting away things that aren’t essential – 90% rule: anything that is less than 90 (even an 89) is a zero.
Key Idea #6: Say “no” to nonessential tasks and plan the essential ones carefully.
Key Idea #7: Stop doing unnecessary things by withdrawing from failures and setting boundaries.
Key Idea #8: Keeping on top of what’s important requires that you eliminate what slows you down and that you prepare carefully.
Key Idea #9: An essentialist life centers around yourself, a routine and proceeding step-by-step.
The key message:
In spite of how it might seem, only a few things are actually vital to our goals and well-being, and everything else is unimportant. By focusing on these few essential things and learning to do better by doing less, we can craft a life that is far more productive and fulfilling.
In spite of how it might seem, only a few things are actually vital to our goals and well-being, and everything else is unimportant. By focusing on these few essential things and learning to do better by doing less, we can craft a life that is far more productive and fulfilling.
