1. Chapters
1.1. Chapter 1 The Essentialist
1.1.1. gist
1.1.1.1. "Less but better"
1.1.1.2. If you don't prioritize your life, someone else will
1.1.1.3. "Decision Fatigue"
1.1.1.3.1. deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual, after a long session of decision making
1.1.1.4. Essential Approach
1.1.1.4.1. 1. Explorer and Evaluate
1.1.1.4.2. 2. Eliminate
1.1.1.4.3. 3. Execute
1.1.1.5. Eseentialism
1.1.1.5.1. is a Discipline
1.1.1.6. What is the core mind-set of an essentialist?
1.1.1.6.1. 1. Individual choice: we can choose how to spend our energy and time
1.1.1.6.2. 2. The prevalence of noise: Almost everything is noise, and a very few things a re exceptionally valuable
1.1.1.6.3. 3. the reality of trade-offs: We can't have it all or do it all
1.2. Part I: Essense: What is the core mind-set of an Essentialist?
1.2.1. Chapter 2. Choose: The Invincible Power of Choice
1.2.1.1. gist
1.2.1.1.1. A choice is not a thing. Our options maybe things, but a choice-a choice is an action
1.2.1.1.2. We suffer from "Learned Helplessness"
1.2.1.1.3. There are limitless number of choices (put hacker thinking cap on)
1.2.1.2. difference
1.2.1.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.2.1.2.2. Essentialist
1.2.2. Chapter 3. Discern: The Unimportance of Practically Everything
1.2.2.1. difference
1.2.2.1.1. A Non-essentialist thinks almost everything is essential
1.2.2.1.2. An Essentialist thinks almost everything is nonessential
1.2.3. Chapter 4. Trade-Off: Which Problem Do I Want?
1.2.3.1. gist
1.2.3.1.1. We can try to avoid the reality of trade-offs, but we can't escape them
1.2.3.1.2. Saying yes to any opportunity by definition requires saying no to several others
1.2.3.1.3. Essentialists see trade-offs as an inherent part of life, not as an inherently negative part of life. Instead of asking, "What do I have to give up?" they ask, "What do I want to go big on?"
1.2.3.2. difference
1.2.3.2.1. Questions
1.3. Part II: Explore: How can we discern the trivial many from the vital few?
1.3.1. Chapter 5. Escape: The Perks of Being Unavailable
1.3.1.1. gist
1.3.1.1.1. In order to have focus we need to escape to focus
1.3.1.1.2. It is important to make space to escape in your life
1.3.1.2. difference
1.3.1.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.3.1.2.2. Essentialist
1.3.2. Chapter 6. Look: See What Really Matters
1.3.2.1. gist
1.3.2.1.1. Journalism was not just about regurgitating the facts but about figuring out the point
1.3.2.1.2. By training yourself to look for "the lead", you will suddenly find yourself able to see what you have missed
1.3.2.1.3. Nonessentialists listen too. But they listen while preparing to say something. They get distracted by extraneous noise. They hyperfocus on inconsequential details. They hear the loudest voice but they get the wrong message. In their eagerness to react they miss the point
1.3.2.1.4. Keep a journal
1.3.2.1.5. Clarify the question
1.3.2.2. Difference
1.3.2.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.3.2.2.2. Essentialist
1.3.2.3. Example
1.3.2.3.1. Find the lead
1.3.2.4. Lead
1.3.2.4.1. why, what, when, and who
1.3.3. Chapter 7. Play: Embrace the Wisdom of Your Inner Child
1.3.3.1. gist
1.3.3.1.1. during play, animals are especially prone to behave in flexible and creative ways
1.3.3.1.2. Play is fundamental to living the way of the Essentialist because it fuels exploration in at least three specific ways
1.3.3.2. difference
1.3.3.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.3.3.2.2. Essentialist
1.3.4. Chapter 8. Sleep: Protect the Asset
1.3.4.1. gist
1.3.4.1.1. The best asset we have for making a contribution to the world is ourselves
1.3.4.1.2. One of the most common ways people-especially ambitious, successful people-damage this asset is through a lack of sleep
1.3.4.1.3. Sleep is what allows us to operate at our highest level of contribution so that we can achieve more, in less time
1.3.4.1.4. The problem with being sleep-deprived is that it compromises our ability to tell the difference, and thus our precious ability to prioritize
1.3.4.1.5. Sleep will enhance your ability to explore, make connections, and do less but better throughout your waking hours
1.3.4.2. difference
1.3.4.2.1. Nonessentialist THINKS
1.3.4.2.2. Essentialist KNOWS
1.3.5. Chapter 9. Select: The Power of Extreme Criteria
1.3.5.1. gist
1.3.5.1.1. If the answer isn't a definite yes then it should be a no
1.3.5.1.2. As you evaluate an option, think about the single most important criterion for that decision, and then simply give the option a score between 0 and 100. If you rate it any lower than 90 percent, then automatically change the rating to 0 and simply reject it
1.3.5.1.3. By definition, applying highly selective criteria is a trade-off; sometimes you will have to turn down a seemingly very good option and have faith that the perfect option will soon come along
1.3.5.1.4. The very act of applying selective criteria forces you to choose which perfect option to wait for, rather than letting other people, or the universe, choose for you
1.3.5.1.5. Making our criteria both selective and explicit affords us a systematic tool for discerning what is essential and filtering out the things that are not
1.3.5.1.6. Gather the relevant information so they can make an informed, calculated, deliberate decision
1.3.5.1.7. Systematic process you can use to apply selective criteria to opportunities that come you way
1.3.5.2. difference
1.3.5.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.3.5.2.2. Essentialist
1.4. Part III: Eliminate: How can we cut out the trivial many?
1.4.1. Chapter 10. Clarify: One Decision that Makes a Thousand
1.4.1.1. gist
1.4.1.1.1. From pretty clear to really clear
1.4.1.1.2. How do we achieve clairity of purpose in our teams and even our personal endeavors?
1.4.1.1.3. How do we craft a statement of purpose that is both concrete and inspiring, meaningful and memorable?
1.4.1.1.4. Only with real clarity of purpose can people, teams, and organizations fully mobilize and achieve something truly excellent
1.4.1.2. difference
1.4.1.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.4.1.2.2. Essentialist
1.4.2. Chapter 11. Dare: the Power of a Graceful "No"
1.4.2.1. gist
1.4.2.1.1. Without courage, the disciplined pursuit of less is just lip service
1.4.2.1.2. Why is it so hard in the moment to dare to choose what is essential over what is nonessential?
1.4.2.1.3. A true Essentalist, Peter Drucker believed that "people are effective because they say no."
1.4.2.1.4. Separate the decision from the relationship
1.4.2.1.5. The more we think about what we are giving up when we say yes to someone, the easier it is to say no
1.4.2.1.6. Everyone is selling something-an idea, a viewpoint, an opinion-in exchange for YOUR time
1.4.2.1.7. "... if you want options go talk to other people. But I will solve the problem the best way i Know how. and you use it or not. That's up to you"
1.4.2.1.8. Part of living the way of the Essentialist is realizing respect is far more valuable than popularity in the long run
1.4.2.1.9. A clear "No" can be more graceful than a vague or noncommittal "Yes."
1.4.2.1.10. The "No" Repertoir
1.4.2.2. difference
1.4.2.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.4.2.2.2. Essentialist
1.4.3. Chapter 12. Uncommit: Win Big by Cutting Your Losses
1.4.3.1. gist
1.4.3.1.1. When we feel we "own" an activity, it becomes harder to uncommit
1.4.3.1.2. Be aware of the status quo bias
1.4.3.1.3. Stop making casual commitments
1.4.3.1.4. From now on, pause before you speak
1.4.3.1.5. Get over the fear of missing out
1.4.3.1.6. No one likes going back on their word. Yet learning how to do so-in ways that will garner you respect for your courage, focus, and discipline-is crucial to becoming an Essentialist
1.4.3.2. keywords
1.4.3.2.1. Sunk-cost bias
1.4.3.2.2. The Endowment Effect
1.4.3.2.3. Status Quo Bias
1.4.3.2.4. Reverse pilot
1.4.3.3. difference
1.4.3.3.1. Nonessentialist
1.4.3.3.2. Essentialist
1.4.4. Chapter 13. Edit: The Invisible Art
1.4.4.1. gist
1.4.4.1.1. Eliminating the nonessentials, means taking on the role of an editor in your life and leadership
1.4.4.1.2. Good editor is someone who uses deliberate subtraction to actually add life to the ideas, setting, plot, and characters
1.4.4.1.3. Editing aids the effortless execution of the Essentialist by removing anything distracting or unncessary or awkward
1.4.4.1.4. When making decisions, deciding to cut options can be terrifying-but the truth is, it is the very essence of decision making
1.4.4.1.5. Realize that every additional moment we have gained can be spent on something better
1.4.4.1.6. Condensing means saying it as clearly and concisely as possible
1.4.4.1.7. Becoming an editor in our lives alway includes knowing when to show restraint
1.4.4.1.8. Becoming an Essentialist means making cutting, condensing, and correcting a natural part of our daily routine-making editing a natural cadence in our lives
1.4.4.2. Example
1.4.4.2.1. Michael Kahn explains, he doesn't always do what Spielberg tells him to do; instead, he does what he thinks Spielberg really wants. Understanding the overarching intent allows him to make the corrections that even Spielberg himself might not be able to verbalize
1.4.4.3. difference
1.4.4.3.1. Nonessentialist
1.4.4.3.2. Essentialist
1.4.5. Chapter 14. Limit: The Freedom of Setting Boundaries
1.4.5.1. gist
1.4.5.1.1. To a Nonessentialist, setting boundaries is evidence of weakness
1.4.5.1.2. Essentialists, on the other hand, see boundaries as empowering
1.4.5.1.3. How to create boundaries that will protect us from other people's agendas
1.4.5.2. difference
1.4.5.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.4.5.2.2. Essentialist
1.5. Part IV: Execute: How can we make doing the vital few things almost effortless?
1.5.1. Chapter 15. Buffer: The Unfair Advantage
1.5.1.1. gist
1.5.1.1.1. The Nonessentialist tends to always assume the best-case scenario
1.5.1.1.2. The Essentialist looks ahead. She plans. She prepares for different contingencies. She expects the unexpected. She creates a buffer to prepare for the unforeseen, thus giving herself some wiggle room when things come up, as they inevitably do.
1.5.1.1.3. The way of the Essentialist is to use the good times to create a buffer for the bad
1.5.1.1.4. Add 50% to your time estimate
1.5.1.1.5. Essentialists accept the reality that we can never fully anticipate or prepare for every scenario or eventuality; the future is simply too unpredictable. Instead, they build in buffers to reduce the friction caused by the unexpected
1.5.1.2. difference
1.5.1.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.5.1.2.2. Essentialist
1.5.2. Chapter 16. Subtract: Bring Forth More by Removing Obstacles
1.5.2.1. gist
1.5.2.1.1. By systematically identifying and removing this "constraint"(what's the slowest hiker) you will be able to significantly reduce the friction keeping you from executing what is essential
1.5.2.1.2. Simply finding things that need fixing here and there might lead to marginal, short-term improvements at best; at worst, you'll waste time and effort improving things that don't really matter
1.5.2.1.3. Instead of looking for the most obvious or immediate obstacles, Essentialists look for the ones slowing down progress. They ask, "What is getting in the way of achieving what is essential?"
1.5.2.1.4. An Essentialist produces more-brings forth more-by removing more instead of doing more
1.5.2.1.5. How do Essentialist focuses on the constraints or obstacles we need to remove?
1.5.2.1.6. Removing obstacles does no have to be hard or take a superhuman effort. Instead we can start small. It's kind of like dislogding a bouldder at the top of a hill. All it takes is a small shove, then momentum will naturally build
1.5.2.2. difference
1.5.2.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.5.2.2.2. Essentialist
1.5.3. Chapter 17. Progress: The Power of Small Wins
1.5.3.1. gist
1.5.3.1.1. Essentialist pursues small and simple wins in areas that are essential
1.5.3.1.2. Research has shown that of all forms of human motivation the most effective one is progress
1.5.3.1.3. Two primary internal motivators for people are
1.5.3.1.4. "everyday progress-even a small win" can make all the difference in how people feel and perform. "Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work"
1.5.3.1.5. Take a goal or deadline you have coming up and ask yourself
1.5.3.1.6. There is something powerful about visibly seeing progress toward a goal.
1.5.3.2. difference
1.5.3.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.5.3.2.2. Essentialist
1.5.4. Chapter 18. Flow: The Genius of Routine
1.5.4.1. gist
1.5.4.1.1. The way of the Nonessentialist is to think the essentials only get done when they are forced. That execution is a matter of raw effort alone. You labor to make it happen. You push through. The Essentialist designs a routine that makes achieving what you have identified as essential as default position
1.5.4.1.2. Without routine, the pull of nonessential distractions will overpower us,. But if we create a routine that enshrines the essentials, we will being to execut them on autopilot. Instead of our consciously pursuing the essential, it will happen without our having to think about it.
1.5.4.1.3. Once the mental work shifts to the basal ganglia, mental space is freed up to concentrate on something new
1.5.4.1.4. How can we discard the routines that keep us locked in nonessential habits and replace them with routines that make executing essentials almost effortless?
1.5.4.2. difference
1.5.4.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.5.4.2.2. Essentialist
1.5.5. Chapter 19. focus: What's Important Now?
1.5.5.1. gist
1.5.5.1.1. Every second spent worrying about a past or future moment distracts us from what is important in the here and now
1.5.5.1.2. chronos is quantitative; Kairos is qualitative
1.5.5.1.3. Nonessentialists tend to be so preoccupied with past successes and failures, as well as future challenges and opportunities, that they miss the present moment
1.5.5.1.4. The way of the Essentialist is to tune into the present. To experience life in kairos, not just chornos
1.5.5.1.5. Multitasking vs. Multifocusing
1.5.5.1.6. What can we do to be fully present on what is in front of us?
1.5.5.2. difference
1.5.5.2.1. Nonessentialist
1.5.5.2.2. Essentialist
1.5.6. Chapter 20. Be: The Essentialist Life
1.5.6.1. gist
1.5.6.1.1. Focusing on the essentials is a choice. It is your choice. That in inself is incredibly liberating
1.5.6.1.2. Some of the ways the disciplines pursuit of less can change your life for the better