Books to Love: Essentialism
“It is the ability to choose which makes us human.”
Madeleine L'Engle
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown, lays out a systematic approach to determine where our highest point of contribution lies, prune, prioritize, and direct our time and energy to only what really matters.
Some takeaways . . .
Free Will is an Invaluable Gift
The ability to choose in life is ours. But if you don't prioritize your life, someone else will.
Success & Abundance Can Paradoxically be a Hindrance
The author noted that once experiencing some success (and I would add, living in an abundant society with many opportunities), it is difficult to discriminate between the good choices and the truly great choices.
And this lack of clarity leads to falling into “the undisciplined pursuit of more” and ultimately failure in momentum and purpose.
Exploring Options in Life
Rather than saying yes to everything that comes their way, essentialists fully explore their options through:
Space & Boundaries: taking time to think, rest the mind, and be unavailable to others.
Listening: seeking the deeper significance in a conversation without planning what to say next.
Playing: enjoying the moment and embracing creativity and joy.
Sleeping: protecting this restorative, brain regenerating asset.
If the Answer isn't a Definite Yes, Then it Should Be a No
Know your criteria; make it selective and explicit.
Our clothes, food choices, hobbies, habits, commitments, books to read, and media to consume can be tested by this criteria.
Say yes to only the top 10% of opportunities.
Life is Full of Trade-Offs
It takes humility to see that we can't do everything. It takes patience, with an eye to the future, to acknowledge the trade-offs a situation presents and then choose wisely.
I reflected on some of the trade-offs Big Country and I have made over the years:
Traveling in Europe and Western America, instead of earning money those two summers.
Raising our kids in Colorado, then Alaska, instead of staying in Arizona with extended family nearby.
Staying home with the kids, instead of earning double incomes.
Driving one older vehicle and investing more, instead of owning two nice cars.
Now that we live in coastal Alaska, dedicating part of our family budget for memorable vacations, rather than buying a boat.
Certainly, everyone's life looks different, and many people can choose both, or none.
But when it all boils down, Everything Must Go but the best.
It Takes Courage to Live a Life of Meaning
To see people who live out what matters most to them is rare.
When we choose to live out our values, we are choosing respect over popularity. We've got the long game in mind.
With courage, we pursue the truly essential, such as:
spending time with loved ones
nurturing our spirit
stewarding our health
sharing the joy of the Lord
Overall, Essentialism is such a rich book with jewels on each page for every season of life. It inspires a calm, thoughtful paring away and an energy to pursue great things.
I first read this book three years ago, and for me it was already time to read it again. The author acknowledges that his wife and four children are essential to him and that he is privileged to be given the opportunity by God to present this message to the world. I agree.
Here's to walking the path in wisdom and choosing the best.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1
Until next time, happy reading! 📚
Liberty
I am inspired to read this!