1. Execute
1.1. Buffer
1.1.1. The only thing we can expect is the unexpected
1.1.2. The Nonessentialist
1.1.2.1. assumes the best-case scenario will happen
1.1.2.2. forces execution at the last minute
1.1.3. The Essentialist
1.1.3.1. Builds in a buffer for unexpected events
1.1.3.2. practices extreme and early preparation
1.1.4. Implementation tips
1.1.4.1. use extreme preparation
1.1.4.2. add 50 percent to your time estimate
1.1.4.3. scenario planning
1.2. Subtract
1.2.1. Produce more by Removing more
1.2.1.1. Instead of focusing on the efforts and resources we need to add, the Essentialist focuses on the constraints or obstacles we need to remove
1.2.2. The Nonessentialist
1.2.2.1. Piles on quick-fix solutions
1.2.2.2. Does more
1.2.3. The Essentialist
1.2.3.1. Removes obstacles to progress
1.2.3.2. brings forth more
1.2.4. Implementation tips
1.2.4.1. 1. Be clear about the essential intent
1.2.4.1.1. make it as precise as possible
1.2.4.1.2. what is the minimum amount of actions to achieve it
1.2.4.2. 2. Identify the "slowest hiker"
1.2.4.2.1. make a list of obstacles that keep you from completing/achieving the essential intent
1.2.4.2.2. prioritize them
1.2.4.3. 3. Remove the obstacle
1.2.4.3.1. if you are waiting for the work of someone else to be done
1.3. Progress
1.3.1. keep momentum by creating and celebrating small wins
1.3.1.1. start small, encourage prograss and celebrate small wins
1.3.2. The Nonessentialist
1.3.2.1. Starts with a big goal ang gets small results
1.3.2.2. Goes for the flashiest wins
1.3.3. The Essentialist
1.3.3.1. Starts small and gets big results
1.3.3.2. Celebrates small acts of progress
1.3.4. Implementation tips
1.3.4.1. focus on minimal viable progress
1.3.4.1.1. What is the smallest aount of progress that will be useful and valuable to the essential task we are trying to get done?
1.3.4.1.2. How can I achieve a first progress with as less effort/input as possible?
1.3.4.2. do the minimal viable preparation
1.3.4.2.1. use just a few time, but as soon as possible, to start preparing/executing a task
1.3.4.3. visually reward progress
1.4. Flow
1.4.1. create a routine that brings you into a flow
1.4.2. The Nonessentialist
1.4.2.1. tries to execute the essentials by force
1.4.2.2. allows nonessentials to be the default
1.4.3. The Essentialist
1.4.3.1. designs a routine that enshrines what is essential, making execution almost effortless
1.4.3.2. makes the essential the default position
1.4.4. Implementation tips on "the right routine"
1.4.4.1. overhaul your triggers
1.4.4.1.1. every habit is made up of a cue (trigger), a routine, and a reward
1.4.4.1.2. the trigger automatically tells your brain which habit to use
1.4.4.1.3. find the cue that iss triggering the nonessential activity and associate it with something essential
1.4.4.2. create new triggers
1.4.4.2.1. implement new habits/routines by associating them with a trigger
1.4.4.3. do the most difficult thing first
1.4.4.4. mix up your routines
1.4.4.4.1. to avoid getting bored
1.4.4.5. tackle your routines one by one
1.4.4.5.1. achieve more by starting small
1.5. Focus
1.5.1. WIN - "What's Important Now?"
1.5.2. being present = FOCUSING on only one thing at a time
1.5.3. The Nonessentialist
1.5.3.1. mind is spinning out about the past or the future
1.5.3.2. thinks about what was important yesterday or tomorrow
1.5.3.3. worries about the future or stresses about the past
1.5.4. The Essentialist
1.5.4.1. mind is focused on the present
1.5.4.2. tunes in to what is important right now
1.5.4.3. enjoys the moment
1.5.5. Implementation tips on how to be in the now
1.5.5.1. 1. figure out what is most important right now
1.5.5.1.1. make a list of everything you could do right now and cross out everything that is not important RIGHT NOW (in this minute)
1.5.5.2. 2. get the future out of your head
1.5.5.2.1. make a list of things that are essential, but not important right now, and file it
1.5.5.3. 3. prioritize
1.5.5.3.1. focus only on the task that is currently most important
1.6. Be
1.6.1. Essentialism is a lifestyle
1.6.1.1. "less but better"
1.6.2. majoring in minor acitivities
1.6.3. as Essentialist, you will get
1.6.3.1. more clarity
1.6.3.2. more control
1.6.3.3. more joy in the journey
2. Explore
2.1. Escape
2.1.1. The Essentialist creates space to escape and exlore life
2.1.2. The Nonessentialist is too busy doing work to think about life
2.1.3. Regularly set time aside to think and create strategies
2.1.3.1. by reading
2.1.3.2. by concentrating and focusing
2.1.3.3. by distraction-free thinking
2.1.3.4. create a space designed to escape
2.2. Look
2.2.1. The Essentialist
2.2.1.1. pays attention to the signal in the moise
2.2.1.2. hears what is not being said
2.2.1.3. scans to find the essence of the information
2.2.2. The Nonessentialist
2.2.2.1. pays attention to the loudest voice
2.2.2.2. hears everything being said
2.2.2.3. is overwhelmded by all the information
2.2.3. Capture the Essence of a story
2.2.3.1. What is really fascinating/ What are the abnormal/unusual details?
2.2.3.2. be a good Journalist (Find the Lead to your story)
2.2.3.2.1. write a Journal
2.2.4. Take a step back and see the bigger picture
2.2.4.1. What is the (key) question we/I want to answer?
2.3. Play
2.3.1. The Essentialist knows that play is essential and sparks exploration
2.3.2. The Nonessentialist thinks play is trivial and und unproductive waste of time
2.3.3. play = everything we do simply for the joy of doing rather than as a means to an end
2.3.4. integrate little plays into your daily life
2.3.4.1. especially your work life
2.3.5. play fires up the brain and lets us unleash our creativity
2.4. Sleep
2.4.1. Protect your Asset
2.4.2. Sleep is the basis for any productivity
2.4.3. Less sleep means more time, but way less productivity/creativity
2.4.3.1. So sleep more, and get more work done
2.4.3.2. the biggest problem is that sleep deprivation reduces our ability to prioritize
2.4.3.2.1. Priorization is a main ability of Essentialists
2.4.4. Regular naps can be a good extension of sleeping at night
2.5. Select
2.5.1. The Essetialist
2.5.1.1. says yes o only the top 10 percent of opportunities
2.5.1.1.1. Use the "90 Percent Rule"
2.5.1.2. uses narrow, explicit criteria like "Is this exactly what I am looking for?"
2.5.2. The Nonessentialist
2.5.2.1. Says yes to almost every request or opportunity
2.5.2.2. Uses broad, implicit criteria like "If someone I know is doing it, I should do it."
2.5.3. Explore many opportunities, but take time to decide for and commit to only those your really want (the top 10%)
2.5.3.1. If it isn't a clear yes, it's a clear no
2.5.3.2. Framework for decision making
2.5.3.2.1. Opportunity (Description)
2.5.3.2.2. minimun criteria (definitely have to be fullfilled)
2.5.3.2.3. extreme/ideal criteria (at least two out of three must be fullfilled)
3. Evaluate
3.1. Clarify
3.1.1. Clearly define your values in order to safe on future decisions
3.1.1.1. make one decision that makes a thousand
3.1.1.2. Go from "Pretty Clear" to "Really Clear"
3.1.2. Find the Essential Intent that is both concrete and inspirational
3.1.2.1. Stop wordsmithing and start deciding
3.1.2.2. ask "how will we know when we're done?"
3.1.3. The Essentialist
3.1.3.1. has a strategy that is concrete and inspirational
3.1.3.2. has an intent that is both meaningful and memorable
3.1.3.3. makes one decision thateliminates one thousand later decisions
3.1.4. The Nonessentialist
3.1.4.1. has a vague, general vision or mission statement
3.1.4.2. has concrete quarterly objectives but ones that fail to energize or inspire people to take their efforts to the next level
3.1.4.3. has a value set but noguiding principles for implementing them
3.2. Dare
3.2.1. to say no at the right time to the right people/opportunities
3.2.2. have the courage to say no in order to protect what is essential to you
3.2.3. the main reason why we often can't say no is the fear of "Social Awkwardness"
3.2.4. The Essentialist dares to say no firmly, resolutely, an gracefully and says yes only to the thingsthat really matter
3.2.5. The Nonessentialist avoids saying no to avoid feelingsocial awkwardness and pressure and says yes to everything
3.2.6. General guidelines for more easily saying "NO"
3.2.6.1. separate the decision from the relationship
3.2.6.2. say no without actually using the word "no"
3.2.6.3. focus on the trade-off
3.2.6.4. accept that saying "no" often requires trading popularity for respect
3.2.6.5. remind yourself that everyone is selling something
3.2.6.6. remember that a clear"no" can be more graceful than a vague or uncommitted "yes"
3.2.7. There are also different ways to gracefully say "no"
3.2.7.1. build a "no"repertoire
3.3. Uncommit
3.3.1. It is always more challenging to uncommit that to not commit in the first place
3.3.1.1. because we have already invested into something
3.3.1.2. because of social pressure
3.3.2. The Essentialist
3.3.2.1. Asks "If I weren't already invested in this project, how much would I invest in it now?"
3.3.2.2. Thinks "What else couldI do with this time r money if I pulled theplug now?"
3.3.2.3. is comfortable with cutting losses
3.3.3. The Nonessentialist
3.3.3.1. Asks "Why stop now when I've already invested so much in this project?"
3.3.3.2. Thinks "If I just keeptrying, I can make this work."
3.3.3.3. hates admittiing to mistakes
3.3.4. how to avoid commitment traps
3.3.4.1. beware of the endowment effect
3.3.4.1.1. things become more valuable when you consider giving them away/when you already own them
3.3.4.2. pretend you don't own it yet
3.3.4.3. get over the fear of waste
3.3.4.3.1. just because something has costed more, it doen't need to be more valuable
3.3.4.4. stop trying to force a fit
3.3.4.5. get a neutral secondopinion
3.3.4.6. apply zero-based budgeting
3.3.4.7. stop making casual commitments
3.3.4.8. pause before you speak
3.3.4.9. get over the fear of missing out
3.4. Edit
3.4.1. add value (to your life) by cutting out the things that don't add value so you can increase your focus and level of contribution
3.4.2. the Essentialist thinks that makingthingsbettermeanssubtracting something and eliminates the distracting
3.4.3. the Nonessentialistthinks that making things better meansaddingsomething and is attached to everything
3.4.4. how to edit your life
3.4.4.1. cut out options
3.4.4.1.1. that confuse the reader
3.4.4.2. condense
3.4.4.2.1. "If I hab more time, I would have written a shorter letter"
3.4.4.3. correct
3.4.4.3.1. know the big picture and let everything contribute to it
3.4.4.4. edit less
3.4.4.4.1. don't feel the need to edit something
3.5. Limit
3.5.1. Set boundaries that separate the different parts of your life
3.5.2. The Essentialist
3.5.2.1. knows that if you have limits, you will become limitless
3.5.2.2. sees boundaries as liberating
3.5.2.3. sets rules in advance that eliminate the need for a direct "no"
3.5.3. The Nonessentialist
3.5.3.1. thinks if you have limits you will be limited
3.5.3.2. sees boundaries as constraining
3.5.3.3. exerts effort attempting the direct "no"
3.5.4. The communication of boundaries gains you respect of others
3.5.5. Guidelines for setting boundaries
3.5.5.1. don't rob people of their problems
3.5.5.2. find your dealbreakers
3.5.5.2.1. articulate your boundaries
3.5.5.3. craft social contracts
3.5.5.3.1. clearify expactations and boundaries with other people in advance