Episode
#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
1:33:55
Published: Mon May 25 2020
Description
Greg McKeown is a public speaker, leadership & business strategist and New York Times Bestselling Author. Do you feel busy but not productive? Like you're overworked but under-utilised? Do you struggle with information overload? Success breeds options & opportunities, which often undermines the things that lead to success in the first place. Today Greg teaches us the art of Essentialism; how not to fall into the undisciplined pursuit of more, how to avoid the trivial many and instead focus our attention onto the vital few. This podcast could change your life, don't miss it. Sponsor: Get Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/MODERNWISDOM (Enter promo code MODERNWISDOM for 85% off and 3 Months Free) Extra Stuff: Buy Essentialism - https://amzn.to/3bSd8jy Check out Greg's Website - https://gregmckeown.com/ Subscribe to Greg's Podcast - https://link.chtbl.com/zXR5Fdfq Take a break from alcohol and upgrade your life - https://6monthssober.com/podcast Check out everything I recommend from books to products - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Join the discussion with me and other like minded listeners in the episode comments on the MW YouTube Channel or message me... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ModernWisdomPodcast Email: https://www.chriswillx.com/contact
Chapters
In this episode, host Greg McKeown teaches us the concept of essentialism, which involves focusing on the vital few and avoiding the trivial many in our pursuits.
00:00 - 02:51 (02:51)
Summary
In this episode, host Greg McKeown teaches us the concept of essentialism, which involves focusing on the vital few and avoiding the trivial many in our pursuits.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
Success can bring about various opportunities and options that can quickly become overwhelming and undermine the factors that led to success in the first place.
02:52 - 07:07 (04:15)
Summary
Success can bring about various opportunities and options that can quickly become overwhelming and undermine the factors that led to success in the first place.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
Designs of record players all looked like massive pieces of furniture until Dieter Rams's stripped-back design became the standard, a testament to the difficulty in shifting old design paradigms.
07:07 - 09:17 (02:09)
Summary
Designs of record players all looked like massive pieces of furniture until Dieter Rams's stripped-back design became the standard, a testament to the difficulty in shifting old design paradigms.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
The primary reason for being a non-essentialist is because one didn't know that there was an alternative to choosing that lifestyle.
09:17 - 13:30 (04:12)
Summary
The primary reason for being a non-essentialist is because one didn't know that there was an alternative to choosing that lifestyle. People who feel like their day is being hijacked by other people's agenda may be non-essentialists.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
In this episode, the speaker discusses the dangers of comparing ourselves to the curated and unrealistic versions of others that we often see on social media, and the importance of focusing on our own priorities and goals.
13:30 - 16:36 (03:06)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker discusses the dangers of comparing ourselves to the curated and unrealistic versions of others that we often see on social media, and the importance of focusing on our own priorities and goals.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
The process of overcoming societal norms, genetic predispositions and traumas can be challenging, but it is essential to avoid FOMO and find joy in missing out on what is expected by others.
16:36 - 25:14 (08:37)
Summary
The process of overcoming societal norms, genetic predispositions and traumas can be challenging, but it is essential to avoid FOMO and find joy in missing out on what is expected by others.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
The pressure of publishing can lead to perfectionism, but it's important to remember that the first version doesn't have to be the permanent state of the article.
25:14 - 31:52 (06:37)
Summary
The pressure of publishing can lead to perfectionism, but it's important to remember that the first version doesn't have to be the permanent state of the article. The podcast format also offers an interesting way to overcome inertia and easily produce content.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
It is difficult for non-essentialists to follow the discipline pursuit of less because they have a hard time relinquishing their obsession with novelty and adventure.
31:52 - 35:59 (04:07)
Summary
It is difficult for non-essentialists to follow the discipline pursuit of less because they have a hard time relinquishing their obsession with novelty and adventure. However, doing one thing and making 100 units of progress is more effective than doing 100 things and only making one unit of progress in each.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
The key is to find something you're passionate about, have potential to be good at, meets a need, and overlaps with your competencies.
36:00 - 40:19 (04:19)
Summary
The key is to find something you're passionate about, have potential to be good at, meets a need, and overlaps with your competencies. Focus on becoming the best in that area rather than just doing what you're good at.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
The key to finding a balance between essentialism and enjoyment is to focus on the 90% important things and eliminate everything else.
40:19 - 45:40 (05:21)
Summary
The key to finding a balance between essentialism and enjoyment is to focus on the 90% important things and eliminate everything else. This encourages people to prioritize what truly matters while still giving them the leeway to live a fulfilling life.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
The saying "play stupid games, win stupid prizes" means that engaging in foolish or risky behavior will result in negative consequences.
45:40 - 50:06 (04:25)
Summary
The saying "play stupid games, win stupid prizes" means that engaging in foolish or risky behavior will result in negative consequences.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker reflects on different stages in life and the change in priorities and interests that come with it.
50:06 - 56:34 (06:27)
Summary
The speaker reflects on different stages in life and the change in priorities and interests that come with it.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
Prioritizing family and investing in building strong relationships, rather than indulging in external activities, should be the primary focus and essential journey in one's life.
56:34 - 1:06:46 (10:12)
Summary
Prioritizing family and investing in building strong relationships, rather than indulging in external activities, should be the primary focus and essential journey in one's life.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
Ben Berger shares hilarious stories of how he makes time for what's essential amidst busy schedules and important business meetings.
1:06:47 - 1:11:12 (04:24)
Summary
Ben Berger shares hilarious stories of how he makes time for what's essential amidst busy schedules and important business meetings. Matt Fraser's CrossFit coach also provides tools for adopting the essentialist mentality.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
Research suggests that among the top performers, the amount of sleep they received was the second most important factor that distinguished them from the average performers.
1:11:12 - 1:19:32 (08:20)
Summary
Research suggests that among the top performers, the amount of sleep they received was the second most important factor that distinguished them from the average performers. Additionally, cultivating good habits such as prioritizing sleep and setting boundaries can help people achieve their goals.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker encourages daily to-do lists as a way to focus on important tasks and eliminate unnecessary ones, suggesting three business and three personal tasks for maximum effectiveness and discarding at the end of each day.
1:19:33 - 1:23:09 (03:36)
Summary
The speaker encourages daily to-do lists as a way to focus on important tasks and eliminate unnecessary ones, suggesting three business and three personal tasks for maximum effectiveness and discarding at the end of each day.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
It's important to start asking yourself questions about your life's purpose and tying it to your daily to-do list.
1:23:09 - 1:27:53 (04:44)
Summary
It's important to start asking yourself questions about your life's purpose and tying it to your daily to-do list. Only then can you hope to find your unique and essential mission in life.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
Author Greg McKeown talks about the impact of his book "Essentialism" in people's lives and his new class at Stanford called Designing Life, where he shares practical tools and stories about how to prioritize what matters.
1:27:54 - 1:32:07 (04:13)
Summary
Author Greg McKeown talks about the impact of his book "Essentialism" in people's lives and his new class at Stanford called Designing Life, where he shares practical tools and stories about how to prioritize what matters.
Episode#175 - Greg McKeown - Essentialism Explained: How To Focus On What Matters In Life
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker reflects on their work in podcasting and the sense of purpose it brings.
1:32:07 - 1:33:45 (01:38)
Summary
The speaker reflects on their work in podcasting and the sense of purpose it brings. They share their contact information and briefly mention a 21-day project.