Essentialism in Action: The Practical Guide

Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it's about how to get the right things done. It's about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy.

The way of the Essentialist means living by design, not by default. It means challenging the assumption that everything is important and asking instead: Which problems do I want?

Because the reality is: You can do anything, but not everything.

This guide will help you identify what's essential to you and systematically eliminate or minimize everything else.

Before you can eliminate, you must explore. Most people skip this step and end up cutting the wrong things.

The 90% Rule

When evaluating an opportunity, use the 90% rule. Think about the single most important criterion for that decision, and then score the option from 0-100.

If you rate it lower than 90%, automatically change the rating to 0 and reject it.

This forces you to say no to good opportunities so you can say yes to great ones.

The Question Test

Before committing to anything, ask: - "Will this activity or effort make the highest possible contribution toward my goal?" - "Is this essential?" - "Does this align with what I value most?"

If the answer isn't a clear yes, it's a clear no.

Create Space to Explore

You can't discern what's essential while drowning in the non-essential. Create space for exploration:

• Schedule thinking time (2 hours weekly minimum)
• Take strategic breaks (walks without podcasts, quiet reflection)
• Keep a journal (capture thoughts, patterns, insights)
• Read broadly (expose yourself to new ideas)

Clarity about what's essential emerges from space, not busyness.

Once you know what's essential, eliminate everything that isn't. This is where most people fail—they know what matters but can't say no to what doesn't.

The Art of the Graceful No

Saying no doesn't require being rude. Effective essentialists say no gracefully:

• "I'm honored you thought of me, but I'm focused on other priorities right now."
• "That sounds interesting, but I'm not in a position to take that on."
• "Let me check my commitments and get back to you." (Then actually evaluate it against your criteria)

Remember: Everyone is selling something—an opportunity, a request, an idea. Your job isn't to buy. Your job is to be a discerning buyer.

Eliminate Sunk Cost Thinking

The fact that you've invested time, money, or energy into something doesn't make it worth continuing.

Regularly ask: "If I weren't already invested in this, would I choose to invest in it today?"

If the answer is no, exit. Don't continue just because you've already started.

The Edit Method

Think like an editor: - Cut: Remove entire commitments that don't serve your essential intent - Condense: Make your contributions smaller and more focused - Correct: Change approach on current commitments to align with what's essential

Your life is your magnum opus. Edit it accordingly.

Once you've identified what's essential and eliminated what's not, create systems that make execution effortless.

Build Buffer

Most people underestimate how long things take by about 30%. The Essentialist adds 50% more buffer to every estimate.

This buffer: - Reduces stress - Accounts for unexpected obstacles - Creates space for higher quality work - Prevents the frantic rush that kills excellence

Create Minimal Viable Progress

Perfection is not essential. Progress is.

Ask: "What's the minimum viable version of this that creates value?"

Start there. If you have time and energy later, enhance it. But the minimal viable version ensures forward momentum without getting stuck in perfection paralysis.

Design Your Default

The Essentialist makes essential behaviors the default option:

• Want to read more? Remove TV from bedroom, put book on pillow.
• Want to exercise? Lay out workout clothes the night before.
• Want to focus? Phone stays in another room during work.

Don't rely on discipline. Design your environment so the right thing is the easy thing.

The Weekly Reset

Every week, schedule 30 minutes to: 1. Review what happened last week 2. Identify what was essential vs. non-essential 3. Plan how to invest your time in the week ahead 4. Say no to one thing that's not essential

This rhythm prevents drift back to non-essential busyness.

Essentialism isn't a one-time purge. It's an ongoing practice of discernment.

The world constantly offers new opportunities, commitments, and distractions. Your job is to continuously ask: "Is this essential?"

The Essentialist Mindset

• "I choose to" rather than "I have to"
• "Only a few things matter" rather than "Everything is important"
• "What can I eliminate?" rather than "How can I fit this in?"
• "No" is a complete sentence

When You Slip

You will. You'll say yes when you should say no. You'll get pulled into the trivial many.

When this happens: 1. Notice without judgment 2. Recommit to your essential intent 3. Eliminate what you can 4. Learn from it

Essentialism is a practice, not a perfect state.

The Ultimate Question

Regularly ask yourself: "What is the most valuable use of my time right now?"

Then do that thing. Eliminate, delegate, or defer everything else.

Your life is the sum of your choices. Choose essentially.