# Background knowledge to deeply understand ‘Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less’ by Greg McKeown
Pareto Principle (The 80/20 Rule)
The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, is a fundamental concept in Essentialism. This principle, named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, suggests that roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. In the context of productivity and achievement, this means that approximately 80% of your results are likely driven by only 20% of your efforts. McKeown utilizes this principle to highlight the importance of identifying and focusing on the vital few activities that generate the most significant impact, rather than spreading oneself thin across numerous less productive tasks.
Parkinson’s Law
Parkinson’s Law, formulated by Cyril Northcote Parkinson, states that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” This principle suggests that if you give yourself a week to complete a task that could be done in a day, the task will inevitably stretch out to occupy the entire week. McKeown incorporates Parkinson’s Law into his argument for setting clearer boundaries and deadlines. By consciously limiting the time allocated to specific tasks, individuals can counteract the natural tendency for work to expand and fill the available time, thereby promoting efficiency and focus.
Opportunity Cost
The concept of opportunity cost is central to the philosophy of Essentialism. Opportunity cost refers to the value of the next best alternative forgone when making a decision. In simpler terms, every time you choose to do something, you are implicitly choosing not to do something else. McKeown emphasizes that by saying “yes” to too many things, we are essentially saying “no” to the things that truly matter. Essentialists are mindful of the opportunity cost associated with each decision and strive to make choices that align with their highest priorities, even if it means saying “no” to seemingly attractive opportunities.
Minimalism
While not explicitly a central theme, Essentialism shares a close relationship with the philosophy of Minimalism. Minimalism advocates for intentional living by focusing on what truly adds value and eliminating the excess. Minimalists strive to declutter their physical possessions, commitments, and mental space to create a simpler and more fulfilling life. Essentialism can be seen as a complementary approach, focusing on identifying and prioritizing the essential activities and eliminating the non-essential, which aligns with the minimalist pursuit of intentional living and reducing clutter.
Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue is a psychological phenomenon where the quality of our decisions deteriorates after making a series of decisions. As we make more and more choices throughout the day, our mental energy depletes, and we become less capable of making rational and thoughtful decisions. Essentialism acknowledges the impact of decision fatigue and suggests that by reducing the number of non-essential decisions we make, we can conserve our mental energy for the crucial choices that truly matter. By applying a more selective and disciplined approach to decision-making, we can mitigate the negative effects of decision fatigue.
Cognitive Biases
Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that can affect our judgment and decision-making. Several cognitive biases are relevant to understanding the principles of Essentialism. These include:
* **The Sunk Cost Fallacy:** This bias refers to our tendency to continue investing in something (time, money, effort) simply because we have already invested in it, even if it is no longer beneficial. Essentialism encourages us to overcome this bias and make rational decisions based on present and future value, rather than being anchored by past investments.
* **The Availability Heuristic:** This bias leads us to overestimate the likelihood of events that are more easily recalled, often due to their vividness or recent occurrence. Essentialism emphasizes the importance of stepping back and objectively assessing priorities, rather than being swayed by readily available information.
* **Confirmation Bias:** This bias refers to our tendency to seek out and interpret information that confirms our existing beliefs, while ignoring evidence that contradicts them. Essentialism encourages us to challenge our assumptions and be open to alternative perspectives when determining what is truly essential.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness, a state of active, open attention to the present moment, plays a supporting role in the practice of Essentialism. By cultivating mindfulness, individuals can become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, which can help them identify distractions, make more conscious choices, and prioritize what truly matters. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and focused attention, can enhance self-awareness and provide the mental clarity needed to discern the essential from the non-essential.
Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”
While not directly referenced in Essentialism, Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” shares several overlapping themes. Covey’s emphasis on proactive behavior, prioritizing based on importance rather than urgency, and focusing on the “circle of influence” aligns with the core principles of Essentialism. Understanding Covey’s framework can provide a broader context for the importance of personal leadership, goal setting, and prioritizing based on values, which are also crucial elements in the practice of Essentialism.
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