A guide to help us discern the trivial many from the vital few, in every aspect of our lives. Can’t recommend this book enough (the kind I’ll have to read twice a year to adjust my life decisions accordingly). “Focusing on the essentials is a choice. It’s your choice. That in itself is incredibly liberating”. See some key moments below.
It’s not just information overload ; it is opinion overload.
Explore. Eliminate. Execute.
There is tremendous freedom in learning that we can eliminate the non-essentials, that we are no longer controlled by other people’s agendas, and that we get to choose. With that invincible power we can discover our highest point of contribution, not just to our lives or careers, but to the world.
Society encourage us to do things we detest to buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.
Poet Mary Oliver: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
I have to => I choose t0 It’s all important => Only a few things really matter I can do both => I can do anything but not everything
Pareto principle :80/20
Tradeoff: which problem do I want?
Instead of asking “What do I have to give up?” they ask “What do I want to go big on?” The cumulative impact of this small change in thinking can be profound.
Newton 2 years of solitary
“Monk mode” auto reply email
By abolishing any chance of being bored, we have also lost the time we used to have, to think and process.
The word school is derived from the Greek schole, meaning “leisure”
If you really wanna do something hard: say no to an opportunity so you can take a nap
Protect the Asset
No more yes. It’s either Hell Yeah! Or No. Derek Sivers TED talk. If it’s not a clear yes then it’s a clear no.
Essential Intent: If we could be truly excellent at only one thing, what would it be? / How will we know when we’re done?