Essentialism – A Conscientious Review

I hesitate using terms like “Essentialism’ and ‘Minimalism’ as I imagine a middle-aged man with a greying beard and glasses rolling his eyes and muttering “Ugh Millennials” under his breath.

I wrote this amazing post in March on how I hacked life and had all these ‘protocols’ and had everything figured out and didn’t know how trendy I was until I saw this book about Essentialism… Well, I have been writing this fkn post for 6 months now! Little Missus Doomsday Prepper. Clearly I was not prepared for a Pandemic.

After months of unsuccessfully trying to get every single thing done, I decided I needed to revisit some of the lessons of Essentialism.

Let’s get to it!

So I did actually buy this book on Essentialism… which means this is essentially a glorified book report. See what I did there? I’ll be here all day.

There are so many nuggets of wisdom in this book – I am torn between presenting a consummate review and not giving too much away. Please get this book. Unless you are already living your best life – to you I say, erm, continue on…

Please note: I shall be quoting from this book extensively. Partly to prove I have in fact read the book, but mostly to “show off” as it were.

Proof!

I’ll Start With this One

The most fitting definition of Essentialism is “less but better.”

‘Essentialism

is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done. It’s about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy.’ Greg McKeown

The Non-Essentialist In Me

I am a perfektionist. In all aspects of my life. If something can’t be done right, there is no point in doing it at all. I am also deathly afraid of making a mistake. This leads to crippling procrastination – I always seem to have something to do. But never enough time to do it properly. This obviously bothers me to no end. And I get stuck in an endless cycle of either sheer panic or utter dejection.

And naturally, I would do all the things productive people tell you not to – like check my email first thing in the morning. Or, reluctantly agree to practically anything when I knew it’d mean putting off (often indefinitely) something that really needed doing… This post Par Example.

Design Your Perfekt Life

‘The essentialist doesn’t just recognise the power of choice, he celebrates it. The Essentialist knows that when we surrender our right to choose, we give others not just the power but also the explicit permission to choose for us.’

When you don’t take ownership of your life or your time, you become a slave to other people’s priorities. For me, on many occasions, something as simple as a 30-minute run would get continually pushed back throughout the day until I couldn’t keep my eyes open let alone break a sweat. It was only once I joined a running club, and I HAD to be there at a specific time, did I realise how I consistently valued everyone else’s time more than my own.

This was not a quote from the book

And yes, I did have to point that out

One of the skills I haven’t quite perfekted yet – the ability to say “No”

Politely.

‘The Way Of The Essentialist

means living by design, not by default. The Essentialist looks ahead. She plans. She prepares for different contingencies. 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.’

I don’t think anyone could have predicted (or prepared for) the calamity that is 2020. My protocols certainly don’t allow for it.

What was essential to me was surviving – “Protecting the Asset” if you please. Which consisted of little self-care rituals… And lots and lots and lots of wine.

But now, things look like they might be getting back to normal. And I, once again have to figure out how to be presentable from not only the neck up and remember to remember my mask.

‘Living With Intent’

‘To discern what is truly essential we need space to think, time to look and listen, permission to play, wisdom to sleep, and the discipline to apply highly selective criteria to the choices we make.’

A considerable part of my journey to essentialism is just finding and fixing problems. It helps that I’m lazy and broke frugal and incredibly impatient with myself.

‘The reality of trade-offs: We can’t have it all or do it all. If we could, there would be no reason to evaluate or eliminate options. Once we accept the reality of trade-offs we stop asking, the more honest question ‘which problem do I want to solve?’

I took a pay cut to work from home. I traded traffic for more sleep and business casual for pjs. In the end, that meant more to me than money. I wrote a whole post about it.

Where Essentialism Falls Short

My only criticism of Essentialism: I don’t think it fully takes into account the plight of the non-CEO. I cannot switch off my phone, decline a meeting invitation or not reply to emails immediately. I don’t have complete control of my schedule. Even if this were not the case – we live in an instant world, you are expected to always be available. To reply promptly. To answer your phone immediately – hell, even call centre agents demand your undivided attention without asking if you can spare it.

Never one to end on a bad note though… This book has taught me how to put myself first. Figure out what is essential and pursue it relentlessly and unapologetically. And I am immeasurably grateful for that.