Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Clarity is the state of having a clear understanding of what is essential and what is nonessential. It involves the ability to discern priorities, make intentional choices, and eliminate unnecessary distractions. Lacking clarity leads to difficulty in sorting through the myriad options and potential commitments that present themselves while having clarity enables individuals to align their actions with their purpose and make meaningful contributions in their personal and professional lives.

Essentialism, a theory of living invented by Greg McKeown, refers to the disciplined pursuit of less and focusing on what truly matters to an individual. It is the central theme and guiding principle throughout the work. The term highlights the importance of discerning essential priorities, eliminating nonessential distractions, and making deliberate choices to lead a more purposeful and fulfilling life. The theory draws on other philosophies, like minimalism, Transcendentalism, and Stoicism, that promote living an uncluttered, purposeful life. It also incorporates ideas of asceticism from world religions, such as Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and the Quakers.

Intentional living refers to the conscious and deliberate choices individuals make to align their actions with their values and priorities. It involves being proactive rather than reactive, focusing on what truly matters, and eliminating activities that do not contribute to one’s overall goals and fulfillment. The term highlights the importance of living purposefully and making intentional decisions in all aspects of life. Intentional living is one of the core concepts of essentialism, which the text defines as “living by design, not by default” (7).

Kairos is a concept originating from ancient Greek philosophy that refers to the opportune moment or the right timing for a specific action or decision. It emphasizes the importance of seizing the appropriate time to act, respond, or make decisions effectively. McKeown argues that recognizing and capitalizing on kairos can lead to significant advantages in various contexts, whether in business, personal life, or strategic planning, as it acknowledges the dynamic nature of opportunities and the significance of making well-timed choices.

The minimum viable product (MVP) is a basic version of a product or service that contains the core functionalities required to address the primary needs of its target audience. Companies develop an MVP with minimal features and resources to validate the concept and gather valuable feedback from early adopters to test the product’s viability, assess its market potential, and identify potential areas for improvement without investing excessive time and resources in developing the full-fledged version. Essentialism transfers the concept of MVP to “minimum viable progress” (199), which means prioritizing one’s tasks and to make progress without feeling compelled to complete a full, perfect version.  

A nonessentialist, according to the book, is someone who fails to prioritize what truly matters and allows themselves to be overwhelmed by the demands of a busy and cluttered life. Nonessentialists lack clarity and are often spread thin, making minimal progress in many directions. Though not a real theory, nonessentialism serves as a contrast to the idea of essentialism, emphasizing the need to shift one’s mindset and behaviors to focus on what is truly essential.