CHAPTER 1 The Essentialist (Location 50)
In this example is the basic value proposition of Essentialism: only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter. (Location 87)
Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done. It doesn’t mean just doing less for the sake of less either. It is about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at our highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential. (Location 111)
On reflection I discovered this important lesson: If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will. (Location 154)
I have a vision of people everywhere having the courage to live a life true to themselves instead of the life others expect of them. (Location 336)
There are three deeply entrenched assumptions we must conquer to live the way of the Essentialist: “I have to,” “It’s all important,” and “I can do both.” (Location 364)
CHAPTER 2 CHOOSE The Invincible Power of Choice (Location 371)
The ability to choose cannot be taken away or even given away—it can only be forgotten. (Location 409)
CHAPTER 3 DISCERN The Unimportance of Practically Everything (Location 448)
CHAPTER 4 TRADE-OFF Which Problem Do I Want? (Location 526)
“We value passion, innovation, execution, and leadership.” One of several problems with the list is, Who doesn’t value these things? Another problem is that this tells employees nothing about what the company values most. (Location 580)
EXPLORE Discern the Vital Few from the Trivial Many (Location 643)
Just make sure to select something that was written before our hyperconnected era and yet seems timeless. Such writings can challenge our assumptions about what really matters. (Location 772)
Note: Read stuff just from before tech
“I realized that journalism was not just about regurgitating the facts but about figuring out the point. It wasn’t enough to know the who, what, when, and where; you had to understand what it meant. And why it mattered.” Ephron added, “He taught me something that works just as well in life as it does in journalism.” (Location 793)
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. (Location 830)
Here are a few ways to tap into your inner journalist. (Location 839)
Keep a Journal (Location 840)
As someone once said to me, the faintest pencil is better than the strongest memory. (Location 846)
For the last ten years now I have kept a journal, using a counterintuitive yet effective method. It is simply this: I write less than I feel like writing. (Location 847)
Get Out into the Field (Location 854)
Keep your eyes peeled for abnormal or unusual details (Location 866)