Making the messy and complicated simple.
I’ve been writing about the value of sustainability, simplicity and minimalism for over six years. Because it’s a big part of living SMART, I’m always on the lookout for ways to introduce new people to the idea and explain the value and incredible advantages that such a perspective offers. Maybe that is why I synchronistically stumbled across the word “essentialism” during a recent Internet surf about how to create more meaning and purpose in a person’s life. Author Greg McKeown uses it frequently in his best selling book, Essentialism—The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. And after reading the book, it’s possible that Essentialism just might be a new and better way of describing what so many of us seek when pursuing minimalism or a simple life.
So what is Essentialism? Simply put, it is the identification, and then the continual choice, of living only what is essential. Similar to those who claim to live a minimalist or life of simplicity, Essentialism tilts the saying, “less is more” to the statement “less is better.” In fact, McKeown claims that the relentless and disciplined pursuit of less leads to a life of meaning filled with what really matters.
McKeown learned much of this approach through his own practice of wanting to make better and more meaningful choices in his own life. The pursuit of it led him to drop out of law school knowing that lifestyle would not make him happy. He then found himself doing graduate work at Stanford and working as a business consultant. Still like most of us, he found he was slipping into a life of expectations and pressure, rather than the meaning and purpose he craved. Only after he left his wife and hours-old baby in the hospital to get to a business meeting where nothing much important happened, did he resolve to come up with a way to make better choices. He describes that way as living life as an Essentialist.
Similar in many ways to those who practice a minimal lifestyle, there are a number of important elements. Here are some of the most insightful statements made about Essentialism by Greg McKeown throughout the book.
* “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” As we all know, those we work for or with, our family and friends, the media and even our culture are constantly doing their best to tell us how we should be living and how we should be doing it. Until we take the time to claim and prioritize it for ourselves we will always be tied to others expectations.
* Continually ask yourself, “Is this the very most important thing I should be doing with my time and resources right now?” It doesn’t matter whether you are at work or at play, asking yourself this question zeros in on what is most important in the moment. If it isn’t important to you, for whatever reasons you use to qualify it, then stop doing it and redirect your focus to what matters.
* “The way of the Essentialist means living by design, not by default.” Most people live their lives based upon what is happening to them. They react to situations good and bad, and then wonder why they can never get out in front of a situation for long enough to turn things around. Instead, the Essentialist sets his or her focus on what is most important in any given moment and then acts accordingly. Then, even if unexpected circumstances attempt to throw them off balance, they return quickly and easily to their “design.”
* “We can’t have it or do it all.” Most of us believe and wish this were true. We would really like to believe that we can do and have it all. But McKeown admits that even thinking that we can cuts us off and distracts us from experiencing and having a few highly desirable choices and experiences. Instead McKeown believes it is critical that we first clarify and then make trade-offs in order to pursue what is most important to us.
* “Don’t be tricked by the trivial.” As a great example McKeown says that the cell phone constantly, “…tricks you with the trivial; it fools you into thinking that news and updates from the virtual world are more important than what’s right in from of you in the actual world right now.” Of course the cell phone isn’t the only thing that tricks us. Unfortunately, whether we are home with our family or busy at work we are constantly being offered distractions. Instead McKeown reminds us that focusing on the essential few ideas right in front of us, is always more rewarding that the trivial many attempting to distract us.
* “Say no to the nonessentials so we can say yes to the things that really matter.” McKeown points out that most of us end up saying yes to far too much and end up sacrificing our time and energy on things that don’t really improve the quality of our life. He believes we do it because of social pressure—either from those we like and love, or from work situations. An Essentialist learns to be courageous enough to say no firmly, resolutely and gracefully so that he or she can say “yes” to those things that are truly important.
While there are actually dozens of more interesting and inspiring statements and insights to the book, these are those that stuck out as being most helpful. Clearly, as a business consultant McKeown approaches the subject from a workplace perspective, but each and every tip is applicable to the way we all run our lives. As he says, “In the same way that our closets get cluttered as clothes we never wear accumulate, so do our lives get cluttered as well-intended commitments and activities we’ve said yes to pile up.” Clutter is clutter whether it is in our closets at home or at our work.
Minimalism or simple living has never just been about sacrificing or getting rid of stuff. Like Essentialism, the pursuit of simplicity has always been arriving at a deep understanding of what leads to a happy and meaningful life. McKeown says, “In many ways, to live as an Essentialist in our too-many-things-all-the-time society is an act of quiet revolution. Is it better than minimalism or a simple life? You decide. But regardless of what you call it, we think it is SMART to pursue less so we can become more.
Thank you for these tips on SMART Living. I particularly liked how you explained “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”
Hi Prakash! Welcome to SMART Living 365. Yes, isn’t that a great quote. I can’t claim it as my own but I’m happy to share it with everyone who comes by. Thanks for your comment. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I was actually reading the other post on the art of aging well and I was curious to see this post. It made a lot of sense to me; thanks for sharing !! I remember reading another post of yours on minimalism.. don’t remember the title- I think its in the context of your shifting into a smaller home… I was very impressed with your post. I was wondering whether its the same post… any ways, its always a pleasure to read your posts.
Hi G Angela! I actually write about these same topics on a regular basis because I think it is helpful to address them from different perspectives–AND I do think they all tie together for a “SMART” life. The more we can focus on the things that really matter and strip away all the “non-essential” the better in my opinion. Thanks for reading AND commenting as always! ~Kathy
I love the term “essentialism,” rather than “minimalist.” I tried to do minimalism but, at this stage in my life with 2 young kids, it seemed impossible.
But when you break it down to essentialism, it’s a perfect word for what I’m trying to achieve with my family and a better thing to teach my kids. 🙂
Hi Robyn! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts. My hat goes off to you if you have two small children and still find ANY time to blog! Yes, isn’t essentialism such a great way to think about it? I can see where this line of thinking would be so helpful to you. It reminds me a great deal of the word “right-sizing” that Thom and I use to describe how we have narrowed down our choices and made decisions that are more focused on what brings us happiness and peace of mind. I strongly recommend the book if you get a chance in your otherwise busy schedule. Thanks again, ~Kathy
This was a wonderful piece. I loved all of the points you shared from the book; in some ways, essentialism sounds a lot like mindfulness.
Hi Lisa! Yes I agree. I’d say it is practically impossible to live a simple/minimal/essential life without being mindful at the same time. That’s why I came up with SMART to sort of “flesh” out so much of what I think is important. The “A” in SMART is for awareness which to me at least is very similar to mindfulness. The more we can live that quality the closer we are to being in touch with our true nature and purpose. Thanks for your thoughts on this! ~Kathy
I like Kathy the clutter in life like clutter in the closet analogy. I hate to say it but sometimes the clutter is a person who has to be removed too.
Hi Haralee! You are so right–you can actually feel the “clutter” in some people can’t you? And When that happens it’s always best to “remove” them as well. McKeown also talks a lot about the power of saying “No!” which follows that same thinking. Saying no and getting away from “cluttery” people is definitely an essential tip! ~Kathy
What a wise and very, very timely post for me. I love it when someone else has put my rambling thoughts on a topic into such clear, concise language. Thank you.
Hi Susan! Thank you for stopping by SMART Living and joining the conversation! And yes, I’m betting that lots of us have thought similar thoughts to the ideas suggested by essentialism. Of course it is easy to talk and even write about–and always more challenging to put into practice. Still, the more I read about it the more I am convinced it will help just about any of us have a more rewarding life. Thanks again for coming by! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy Gottberg,You have posted a wonderful article. Its very unique concept. after reading this concept am got lot of experience. You give some excellent tips.
Thanks for sharing
Keep it up 🙂
Hi Addison! Glad you liked this post and my thoughts on essentialism. Thanks for stopping by. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy and thanks for introducing us to this familiar, yet slightly different, concept. It’s a nice balance between Voluntary Simplicity and Minimalism.
“Like Essentialism, the pursuit of simplicity has always been arriving at a deep understanding of what leads to a happy and meaningful life.” – Wonderfully stated Kathy and so, so true.
Take care and my best to all.
Lyle
Hi Lyle! Glad you liked the post and thank you for linking it on your Simple Sunday Post this week. It’s an honor 🙂 ~Kathy
Hi Kathy!
What a great post. I need to tell you I am over the moon!! I’ve just finished your amazing ebook “Finding Grace”. Thank you, Thank you! I also just ordered the book you mentioned above by Greg McKeown. Thanks for making my day.
Your fan from Germany, Gosina
Hi Gosina! Thank you so much for stopping by from Germany and saying “Hi!” I’m happy of course that you liked “Finding Grace” and that you found your way over here to SMART Living. I also think you’ll enjoy the book about Essentialism. It’s an easy read and such an interesting perspective on life. Obviously you like to read so it is definitely great to connect with you!!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. And if you get the chance I would also REALLY APPRECIATE a comment about Finding Grace on Amazon. Either way, please stop by often. 🙂 ~Kathy
Oh, I like this! I’ve been seeking after essentialism my whole life and didn’t realize it until now!
Hi Diane! Yes, in many ways I’ll bet that many of us already practice some of these ideas…but it is so very easy to slip back into the idea that we can DO EVERYTHING and just keep piling on the busy work! (at least I’m that way!) Glad to hear that essentialism is something that might be helpful to you! ~Kathy
I agree, to choose this path is like an act of quiet revolution. As a person who for many years worked in technology, I am still overwhelmed by the pace, the abundance, the distraction, etc. and concerned about the manner in which we’re allowing ourselves to be sucked into it. It’s to the point where when I see someone (or several someones in a group) staring down at their smartphone, I want to shout, “Look up! Look around you! Talk to people!”
If our lives were always led by design, I think it would make for happier people and a happier society.
Hi Laura! Yes, isn’t that a great line about it being a “quiet revolution?” And it sounds like you know all to well how that pace, the abundance, the distractions, etc. etc. can suck the life out of us if we aren’t careful….Let’s all start focusing on “designing” a happier life instead of living by default. ~Kathy
Get post! I love, love “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” This is the first time I’ve heard the term “Essentialism” but it describes the journey my husband and I are on. I will look for the book.
And, happy birthday! We are having our normal “May Gray” here in San Diego, but I hope you enjoy smooth sailing!
Hi Janis! Glad you liked the post. And yes, we must do our own prioritizing or get sucked into making others happy.
And so far we’ve had a wonderful visit here in San Diego. Our sail was awesome and about as good as we hoped. Sometimes a little May Gray is good when the temps are near 100 in the desert! ~Kathy
Kathy reading this it makes sense to say “less is better” instead of “less is more” or some of the other phrases out there. While less is more in the aspect of freeing up my time for more of what I enjoy the word “better” gets to the heart of the changes that have taken place in my life since I changed my life.
The same holds for the word “essentialism” which is what I am trying to accomplish, getting rid of everything that isn’t essential to my happiness.
Thanks for introducing me to a new book which will now go on my ever expanding reading list.
Hi Lois! I had an idea you might like this perspective. It is a new way of looking at what you already do so much of but put into a more “business” perspective than we normally read here on the net. There are at least one or two more blog posts I can write after reading this book myself so if you don’t get around to reading it any time soon I can catch you up 🙂 ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Honestly speaking, I haven’t heard this term in connection with simple living or minimalism but it makes sense the way you have simplified it here! It makes an interesting reading and leaves me wondering…
Why do we learn it so late in life, after accumulating a lot of possessions? Isn’t it human nature, the basic instinct to keep buying clothes and things, which we don’t really need? This thought reminds me of my young friend who always says…whenever she feels stressed out or depressed, she goes shopping! And will you believe? she claims it helps her!
Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful post!
Hi Balroop! Yes, it is a shame that so many people aren’t willing to stop and realize that all that “stuff” doesn’t really make a person happy. I think a lot of it is that we are so busy, many people don’t stop to think at all. Then ad a media that is determined to sell us things implying that we can’t possibly be happy without what they are selling–and people buy, and buy and buy in and endless loop. Sure some people find momentary relief in buying stuff (like your friend) because it helps them take their mind off their troubles. But unfortunately they aren’t taking the time to find out why they are stressed and depressed in the first place and doing something about THAT!
Ultimately we can’t really change anyone else…only ourselves. However, I’m hopeful that we can be a good example for others when we take the time to show how living with less really is a much, much better way to go.
Thanks for your thoughts Balroop. ~Kathy
I love this Kathy! Thank you for introducing me to this concept 🙂 Interestingly, I think I’ve been embracing this without knowing it since my divorce. I had to cut back on so many people and things that it happened naturally. I have to add that if you live this way truly, you will piss many people off. I say that with a little humor and a little truth. People don’t like it when you say no to them or their event. No matter how good the reason you have is, some people will not be happy. When I have to say no, I always begin with “I would love to…but…” OR ‘that sounds like so much fun…but…”.
Reading your blog is always worth my few moments! I did what you said and asked myself! And now I will keep asking myself that the rest of the night!
Hi Jodi! Thank you so much for your comments. I always love YOUR posts on your blog (and videos) because they are always so helpful and heartfelt! If I have got you thinking then then my own intentions have been met. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂 ~Kathy
Excellent tips here, Kathy. Not always so easy to put into practice, but good ones to keep in mind, nonetheless.
Hope you’re having a lovely birthday today and enjoying your weekend away! I’ve got a full day of work ahead, but then plan to enjoy this evening and weekend to celebrate my 27th anniversary!
Happy, happy birthday to you!
nancy
Hi Nancy! I agree that essentialism isn’t always easy to practice but when understood, at least the way McKeown explains it, it is a key to a happier life. He comes from a business perspective which is also valuable because he explains how that can be so very beneficial in that regard too.
And happy 27th Anniversary! I hope your weekend is off to as good a start as mine! Let’s compare notes next week 🙂 ~Kathy
I love this. Haven\\\’t heard the term or the author before but love the concept so much!
Hi Carol! Glad you like it. It really is an interesting book and very easy to read. I highly recommend! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
That was indeed a beautiful post 🙂
I liked all that you mentioned according to Greg McKeown and it surely is true. Your post reminded me of what my Mom used to teach us as young kids, which we pass down to our kids – very little is needed to lead a happy life. I wish people would understand this simple fact.
Yes, less is better too I would say. So many times when we look back at life or even things around our house, don’t we wonder how life would be had so and so thing not been there? Life does carry on, it’s just how we look at it – our attitude or mindset that really matters 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend 🙂
Hi Harleena! Glad you liked the post. Yes, the book is such a great reminder about what is most important. And he does it from a strong business perspective too which was refreshing. He reminds me that I can’t do everything so be very, very selective about what we do decide to do. You have a great weekend too. ~Kathy
Perfect reading for my weekend full of cutting-the-clutter tasks. I like the term, ‘essentialism’.
Hi Walker! Glad you like it. I thought it was another great way to describe the process of simplifying (obviously) and it’s a very easy read too if you have the time. Certainly helped me stay more focused! ~Kathy