The Essentialist
The book "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown emphasizes the importance of focusing intensely on challenging tasks without distractions. Deep work is seen as a rare and valuable skill in today's distracting world. The author provides practical advice on creating a conducive work environment, setting aside dedicated time for focused tasks, and eliminating distractions.
I was the kind of person who had - I still have it when talking about data or Star Wars - a golden retriever brain, being distracted if I saw a new task. Additionally, I am a Gemini, frequently interested in too many activities at the same time which makes me feel like a juggling circus clown. Reading this book helped me to organize my cognitive jungle.
Essentialism is not about increasing productivity but ensuring the most important tasks are accomplished.
It isn't about doing less just for the sake of it, but about focusing on what truly matters and making the best use of one's time and energy by prioritizing essential tasks that contribute to our overall goals. Essentialism is a disciplined, systematic approach to determining where our highest point of contribution lies, and then making the execution of those things almost effortless.
The author differentiates between a Nonessentialist and an Essentialist. These two personas come with different mindsets and logic. A few examples I took with me on my growth journey to become an Essentialist.
1, Nonessentialist: “I have to.” Abandons the right to choose.
Essentialist: “I choose to.” Develops and exercises the power of choice. Essentialists not only acknowledge the significance of making choices but also embrace and celebrate it. They understand that by relinquishing their autonomy to choose, they are effectively granting others the authority to make decisions on their behalf.
2, Nonessentialist: Is too busy to think about life.
Essentialist: Creates space in his/her life for exploration and meaningful experiences. To maintain focus and clarity in our lives, creating dedicated spaces for concentration is crucial. By intentionally escaping, and setting aside time and physical space for these activities, we can establish the ideal environment for undisturbed focus and engagement.
3, Nonessentialist: Says yes to almost every request or opportunity. The fear of missing out. Evades saying no to avoid feeling social awkwardness and pressure. Essentialist: Says yes to only the top 10-20 percent of opportunities. Uses explicit criteria like “Is this exactly what I am looking for?” or “Is it valuable for me?”If it isn’t a clear yes, then it’s a clear no. Says yes only to the things that matter firmly and graciously.
Embracing an essentialist mindset in project management can lead to increased focus, effective decision-making, and a streamlined workflow. What I learned is to build a buffer for unexpected events and practice intense and early preparation. Always strive for the “MVP” (minimal viable product), and celebrate small successes and progress which eventually will lead to big results.
Recognizing and acknowledging our achievements, no matter how small boosts our confidence and motivation to continue moving forward. Ultimately, by celebrating our successes, we not only enhance our own experiences but it foster camaraderie also inspire and uplift those around us.
The book provided me with valuable insights into the core principles of essentialism. Armed with this knowledge, I now have a crystal-clear vision of how to incorporate this logic into my daily work and personal life with ease. The biggest revelation came when I wholeheartedly embraced the idea that "I can do anything but not everything." From the moment I entered the workforce, my mentality revolved around acquiring all possible knowledge and impressing everyone with my performance.
In retrospect, all I ever wanted was to be a unicorn. In the field of data, there are many different roles and skill sets, and it can be overwhelming to try and master everything at once. Things shifted for me when I specialized in one specific area, like data visualization, which allowed me to focus on being an expert and thrive in that particular field. Later I had the opportunity to open to areas like analytical engineering or UX/UI design.
“Only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, you can make your highest contribution towards the things that matter.” - THE BASIC VALUE PROPOSITION OF ESSENTIALISM