Essentialism

"Less but better" – discover how paring down your priorities leads to a more meaningful and productive life.

1. The Principle of Essentialism: Doing Less but Better

The principle of essentialism teaches us that focusing on fewer tasks, but executing them with excellence, leads to a more impactful and fulfilling life. Instead of trying to accomplish everything, essentialists sift through the clutter to identify what truly matters. This idea rejects society's increasing pressure to juggle endless responsibilities.

When we attempt to prioritize everything, our energies become thinly spread, resulting in mediocrity across the board. Essentialism insists that we dig deep, constantly asking ourselves whether the tasks on our plate contribute meaningfully to our goals. This clarity enables us to do those tasks better by cutting out unneeded noise.

Ultimately, adopting this mindset requires consistent evaluation of every demand placed on our time. Essentialists don't stop at identifying what's vital; they take swift action to minimize distractions and execute their chosen tasks at the highest possible standard.

Examples

• A software developer who limits their focus to perfecting features instead of chasing every user request ends up delivering better products.
• A writer who chooses to say no to multiple open projects can dedicate time to finishing a well-researched novel.
• A restaurant that specializes in a few dishes often surpasses competitors offering overly extensive menus.

2. Choices Define Your Path

We often feel like we have to do everything, but essentialism emphasizes that it's about what we choose to do. The key lies in recognizing that making deliberate choices empowers us to craft a life aligned with our values.

Many of us fall into learned helplessness, where we assume we have no control over our circumstances. When we take back the power to choose, we take charge of our priorities. However, giving up control often makes others dominate our schedules, filling it with non-essential tasks that derail us.

If you hesitate to choose, consider this: by deciding to take on only a few meaningful opportunities, you actually become more impactful. Holding the reins means saying yes only to what propels you forward, even if it means disappointing others in the short term.

Examples

• People in customer service roles often burn out because they say yes to every request without prioritizing their energy.
• Workers who feel empowered to decline excess assignments typically build long-term careers marked by achievement and balance.
• Entrepreneurs who selectively accept partnerships grow businesses driven by focus rather than compromise.

3. Life is About Trade-offs

Life inherently involves trade-offs. Essentialists understand and embrace this reality, selecting fewer goals to pursue wholeheartedly. Attempting to "have it all" inevitably leads to a watered-down version of everything.

A case study of airlines illustrates this well. Southwest Airlines simplified its services, focusing on consistent, no-frills travel. In contrast, Continental's attempt to merge budget and premium services backfired, showing how trying to do everything leads to inefficiency.

When we learn to accept that saying yes to one thing often means saying no to another, the result is a life where only the most rewarding, intentional objectives remain on our radar.

Examples

• Authors who focus on completing one manuscript rather than multitasking across genres achieve long-lasting recognition.
• Health-conscious individuals who choose simple, healthy meals over lavish buffets maintain better wellness.
• Start-ups are more impactful when they develop one excellent product rather than diversifying too early.

4. Creating Space to Think Clearly

Modern life rarely provides time for reflection. However, stopping to think deliberately can clarify what is essential in your life. Essentialists actively schedule empty space in their daily routines, allowing their minds to focus on bigger-picture thinking.

Historically, numerous great thinkers credited their breakthroughs to moments of solitude. For instance, Albert Einstein often described his periods of unstructured creativity as crucial to his theories.

By carving out this reflective space, you not only break away from constant busyness but also position yourself to better distinguish between important priorities and distractions.

Examples

• CEOs like Bill Gates set aside weeks solely for strategic thinking to remain innovative leaders.
• Writers who establish journaling habits often find clarity in their narratives or artistic direction.
• Artists retreating to secluded environments often produce their most influential works.

5. Play Unleashes Creativity

Contrary to the belief that adults should abandon play after childhood, essentialists argue that play is an effective driver of creativity and problem-solving. Playing stimulates unconventional ideas and relieves stress.

Many successful companies, such as Pixar, encourage playful activities among employees for this reason. Non-essentialists fail to see this benefit, treating play as frivolity, but essentialists make time for it, knowing it sparks innovation.

If balanced with sufficient rest and sleep, play becomes a powerful productivity tool, allowing people to approach their objectives from unique, refreshed perspectives.

Examples

• Twitter offers improv classes for employees to think creatively and loosen up.
• Google installs playful office designs like Star Wars artifacts to inspire creativity.
• Team-building exercises often include games, boosting morale and yielding fresh ideas.

6. Be Ruthless When Cutting Back

We often hesitate to let go of old habits, responsibilities, or possessions, even when they're no longer useful. Essentialists apply strict standards to evaluate what truly merits their time, employing methods like the 90-percent rule: only tasks scoring 90 out of 100 remain.

This strategy lets essentialists say no to half-hearted commitments while concentrating on their best opportunities. Shifting your thinking this way ensures you create room for much higher productivity and satisfaction with what remains.

Examples

• Applying the 90-percent rule could mean decluttering clothing or simplifying to-do lists.
• Entrepreneurs might stop entertaining vague opportunities and instead zero in on profitable ventures.
• Friends reluctant to expend energy on empty relationships may let go and deepen meaningful bonds.

7. Learn to Say "No" with Grace

The fear of disappointing others holds most people back from refusing unnecessary commitments. Essentialists overcome this reluctance by learning how to decline requests tactfully, realizing that saying yes to everything only dilutes their success.

Separating the task from the relationship helps alleviate guilt. Furthermore, practicing polite refusals turns this skill into a freeing habit. The short-term discomfort of saying no far outweighs the stress and regret of agreeing to too much.

Examples

• Actors often reject roles outside their expertise to build careers rooted in passion.
• Employees who prioritize time off actually build goodwill with managers because they're more productive when present.
• Friends can say no to plans without damaging relationships by open communication of their boundaries.

8. Avoiding the Trap of Sunk Costs

Too often, people persist in failing ventures simply because they’ve invested too much time or resources already – a phenomenon known as the sunk-cost bias. Essentialists, however, quickly abandon efforts that show little promise.

Holding on, whether to unprofitable businesses like the Concorde or to draining friendships, only compounds the problem. Instead, essentialists face mistakes courageously, cutting losses and redirecting energy into more fruitful pursuits.

Examples

• Budding entrepreneurs reevaluating faulty plans might stop launching doomed products.
• Declining further meetings for an unpromising deal saves professionals time.
• Switching majors in college after initial doubts helps students pursue lifelong passions.

9. Routine Strengthens Productivity

Establishing a routine that aligns with personal goals creates systems to ensure gradual progress. Essentialists achieve more long-term accomplishments by relying on habits rather than fleeting motivation.

Michael Phelps, for example, visualized every race down to its tiniest detail during his training. These micro-preparations allowed him to unleash muscle memory when the Olympics arrived, propelling him to multiple victories.

Building routines might seem tedious, but they remove decision fatigue and pave the way for consistent growth.

Examples

• Professional athletes perform rituals to access their maximum performance state.
• Writers dedicated to one hour each morning finish books faster than sporadic sessions allow.
• Musicians practicing daily scales build technical skills far quicker than irregular practices could ever achieve.

Takeaways

1. Dedicate daily time to quiet reflection to identify and trim distractions.
2. Practice saying no politely to any task or invitation that doesn’t serve your goals.
3. Create habits or routines that support what you truly value, ensuring steady personal progress.