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  • Essentialism

  • The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
  • Written by: Greg McKeown
  • Narrated by: Greg McKeown
  • Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (986 ratings)

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Essentialism

Written by: Greg McKeown
Narrated by: Greg McKeown
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Publisher's Summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • More than one million copies sold! Essentialism isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done.

“A timely, essential read for anyone who feels overcommitted, overloaded, or overworked.”—Adam Grant

Have you ever:

  • Found yourself stretched too thin?
  • Simultaneously felt overworked and underutilized?
  • Felt busy but not productive?
  • Felt like your time is constantly being hijacked by other people’s agendas?

If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is the Way of the Essentialist

Essentialism is more than a time-management strategy or a productivity technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution toward the things that really matter.

By forcing us to apply more selective criteria for what is Essential, the disciplined pursuit of less empowers us to reclaim control of our own choices about where to spend our precious time and energy—instead of giving others the implicit permission to choose for us.

Essentialism is not one more thing—it’s a whole new way of doing everything. It’s about doing less, but better, in every area of our lives. Essentialism is a movement whose time has come.

©2014 Greg McKeown (P)2014 Random House Audio

What the critics say

Essentialism will give you richer, sweeter results and put you in real control, giving greater precision to the pursuit of what truly matters.”Forbes

“In this likeable and astute treatise on the art of doing less in order to do better...McKeown makes the content fresh and the solutions easy to implement. Following his lucid and smart directions will help readers find ‘the way of the essentialist.’”Success

“Do you feel it, too? That relentless pressure to sample all the good things in life? To do all the ‘right’ things? The reality is, you don’t make progress that way. Instead, you’re in danger of spreading your efforts so thin that you make no impact at all. Greg McKeown believes the answer lies in paring life down to its essentials. He can’t tell you what’s essential to every life, but he can help you find the meaning in yours.”—Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell is Human and Drive

What listeners say about Essentialism

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking.

Nicely thought provoking. Inspired me to do more with less and to W.I.N.; what's important now. Thanks, Greg.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Kick In The Butt!

I had to listen to multiple chapters 2 x's to think through how to apply these timely principles. Worth the time invested in developing my leadership! #Audible1

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • WAA
  • 2021-09-11

The best book ever

Without any doubts. This is one of the best books I have ever read. Thank you!!!!

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Easy Read and Simple but Practical Concepts

This book flows well that starting and stopping is easy. For all areas of life.

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Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Life changing if really grasped! Exceptional principles
Tremendous insight into what is truly essential. Well worth the read!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wish I had read this years ago

Now to apply that which I have learned.. just have to express disappointment in why so many authors can't help but BRAG about themselves while they deliver their message.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Should be listened to several times

Each chapter covers a very important aspect, and I feel I need to listen to the book again and again to master the hints to remember how each and every hint can make such big changes to one's life.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Required Reading for Aspiring Minimalists

It's rare that an author does such a good job of reading their own work. This was a very enjoyable listen and I expect will hold up to repeat listens. The message is timely and useful for everyone and anyone: in an age when our attention is taken up with the constant noise of social media and our smart phones' message alerts, it is imperative to get clear on what's important. This book will help you focus, not only in your career but also in your personal life, on what's essential so that you can stop wasting your time and energy on the unimportant.

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Just read it

This book has so many good advice an quotes. Just read it I’m sure you will learn something very useful for you

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Extraordinary!!!

When the last chapter was over, I was so sad! I wanted to hear more about the subject which is clearly a passion for the author! Definitely part of my two most favourite books! It goes right to the core and provides clear indications for how to live and lead with a clear sense of purpose. Anyone passionnate about minimalism and simplicity should read this book. Plus, I love books read by the author itself and this books makes no exception. Cannot wait to listen to it again! 10 stars!

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