I listened to this book on audio and enjoyed it so much that I went out and bought a physical copy for myself! As someone who overcomplicates nearly everything, I found this book a real revelation. It’s filled with practical tips for people like me to really simplify what you need to focus on. Here are some of the key points.
Focus – things to consider
- What can you say ‘no’ to?
- It’s about focusing on the right things, not getting more things done.
- Less but better.
- More efficient and easier
- Non-essentialism – overworked and under-utilised
- Paradox of success
- Clarity
- Expertise, increased options
- Increased demands, diffused efforts
- Distraction, undermining clarity
The Perfect storm
- Too many choices which results in decision fatigue
- Too much social pressure (outside influence on our decisions) results in opinion overload
- The idea that you can ‘have it all’ appears everywhere (but it’s a myth)
- From ‘priority’ to ‘priorities’, but our reality hasn’t changed, we still have the same number of hours. Many priorities means that none is a priority.
Other people end up choosing for us if we’re not clear about our own choices (boss, family etc)
Busy-ness
There is too much noise
Ask yourself: “Which problem do I want to solve?”
Have the courage and compassion to say no
Trade offs
Learn the importance of trade offs – you can’t do everything. Proactively choose what not to do. Don’t try to fit 17 projects into 4 projects worth of time – the results will speak for themselves.
Trade popularity for respect. Stop trying to people please, stand your ground, know and communicate clear boundaries.
Take time to think and reflect, and decide what is essential and what is non-essential. If you’re too busy to even think, you’re too busy.
Are you noticing any trends when you look back over your journal entries?
Suggested weekly schedule
Monday: management meetings; company work
Tuesday: company development
Wednesday: marketing; communications; growth
Thursday: developers; partnerships
Friday: company and culture
