Do you ever sit down with a stack of tasks to accomplish and can't decide where to start?
Do you quickly agree to take on another task when you know your calendar is already bloated?
Are you floating from one commitment to the next without finishing anything to satisfaction?
Then, Greg McKeown has written a book that could be a lifeline. Essentialism is subtitled "The Disciplined Pursuit of Less". This is an idea that warrants reflection and action for anyone who wants their life to be meaningful and avoid the pitfall of pursuing non-essential goals through non-essential tasks.
The first step in creating that essentialist mindset is to ask yourself three questions.
What do I feel deeply inspired by?
What am I particularly talented at?
What is a particular need in the world?
Furthermore,"To discern what is essential we need space to think, time to look and listen, permission to play, wisdom to sleep, and the discipline to apply highly selective criteria to the choices we make".
This book has many more practical suggestions for living life as an essentialist and reaping the benefits of focused energy and effort toward that unique work that can be your finest contribution. I highly encourage educators and leaders to not only get the book, but take the time to apply the concepts for your own benefit and the benefit of the schools where you invest your time, treasure, and talent.
In this podcast with Michael Hyatt, Greg discusses his book and offers an additional idea - the personal 90 day offsite, which is a quarterly retreat to refocus on the essential goals in a systematic and regular fashion.
Here is an excellent review by pastor Tim Challies.
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