Book Notes:

• Essentialism is the disciplined pursuit of less but better, focusing only on what truly matters.
• Non-essentialists believe "everything matters equally," leading to diluted efforts and burnout.
• The 90% Rule: Only choose options that score at least 90% on your most important criterion.
• Every "yes" requires a "no"—trade-offs are inevitable and strategic.
• The paradox of success: Increased opportunities dilute focus unless rigorously filtered.
• Apply the Pareto Principle: 20% of efforts yield 80% of results.
• Sleep is non-negotiable for peak cognitive performance and decision-making.
• Create buffers in schedules to absorb shocks without derailing priorities.
• Sunk-cost fallacy traps people into unproductive investments; exit early.
• Edit commitments ruthlessly, like a film editor cutting non-essential scenes.
• Clarity of purpose eliminates ambiguity, enabling confident elimination of distractions.
• The endowment effect causes overvaluing possessions/commitments; reassess objectively.
• Play fuels creativity and problem-solving, countering rigid productivity mindsets.
• Reverse Pilot Test: Stop an activity to gauge its necessity.
• "If it isn’t a clear yes, it’s a no" simplifies decisions.
• Essentialism aligns actions with core principles, not just time management.
• Protect focused work with literal/metaphorical "Do Not Disturb" boundaries.
• Design routines to automate essential tasks, reducing decision fatigue.
• Zero-based thinking: Evaluate commitments as if starting fresh today.
• Multitasking reduces effectiveness; single-tasking amplifies impact.
• Set quarterly goals to align with long-term essentials.
• Eliminate the "trivial many" to prioritize the "vital few."
• "No" is a complete sentence requiring no justification.
• Progress beats perfection; small, consistent steps compound.
• Protect energy through diet, exercise, and mindfulness—not just time.
• Delegate non-essentials to focus on your highest contributions.
• Decision fatigue is minimized by reducing non-essential choices.
• Selective ignorance: Ignore non-critical information to maintain focus.
• Stop-the-Clock Test: If not involved now, would you start?
• Journaling reveals patterns, clarifying true essentials over time.
• Align daily actions with deeply held values for integrity.
• "Minimum viable progress" sustains momentum without overwhelm.
• Essentialism rejects society’s glorification of busyness as productivity.
• Deep relationships > superficial connections for fulfillment.
• One strategic decision can eliminate thousands of future distractions.
• Gratitude highlights existing sufficiency, reducing FOMO-driven choices.
• "Highest point of contribution" aligns skills with others’ needs.
• Create space for reflection and strategic thinking daily.
• Essentialism demands courage to reject social expectations.
• Celebrate small wins to sustain motivation and clarity.
• Essentialist leaders empower teams by clarifying priorities.
• Eliminate "just in case" items; keep "just in time."
• Perfectionism distracts from essential, achievable progress.
• Three-word mantras anchor focus during decision-making.
• "Uncommit" from past decisions that no longer serve.
• Busyness is a moral crutch for avoiding prioritization.
• Strategic pauses prevent reactive, non-essential commitments.
• Essentialism is a lifestyle, not a temporary fix.
• Personal boundaries protect time and energy from exploitation.
• The "trivial many" often masquerade as urgent necessities.
• Essentialists ask, "What problem do I want to solve?"
• Eliminate meetings lacking clear agendas or outcomes.
• Focus on "slow yes" and "quick no" responses.
• Essentialism thrives on simplicity, not complexity.
• Regularly audit commitments using the 90% Rule.
• Overcommitment is the enemy of meaningful contribution.
• Essentialists view constraints as clarifying forces.
• "Done is better than perfect" accelerates progress.
• Eliminate distractions before they demand attention.
• Essentialism requires constant vigilance against mission creep.
• True freedom comes from deliberate choice, not chance.