Insights from ‘Essentialism’ by Greg McKeown

Question 1

According to Josh Billings, what is a common cause of trouble in life?

Answer 1

Saying ‘yes’ too quickly and not saying no soon enough.

Question 2

What strategy did Warren Buffett use to become the most successful investor?

Answer 2

He was hyper-selective, saying no to 99 out of every 100 opportunities, focusing on just 10 investments.

Question 3

Fill in the blank: ‘An essentialist thinks almost everything is ____, while a non-essentialist thinks almost everything is essential.’

Answer 3

non-essential

Question 4

True or False: Essentialists view boundaries as constraints that limit productivity.

Answer 4

False

Question 5

How does setting boundaries empower an essentialist?

Answer 5

Boundaries protect their time, allowing them to focus on their priorities rather than those of others.

Question 6

What is a practical way to enforce boundaries mentioned in the text?

Answer 6

Create black-and-white rules, like not taking calls during specific hours or limiting email checks.

Question 7

What is a trade-off in decision-making?

Answer 7

It’s the idea that saying yes to one opportunity means saying no to others.

Question 8

What habit can help individuals avoid mistaking non-essential tasks for urgent matters?

Answer 8

Scheduling time to journal to gain perspective.

Question 9

Comparison: How does a non-essentialist view boundaries differently than an essentialist?

Answer 9

Non-essentialists see boundaries as constraints, while essentialists view them as empowering tools to protect their priorities.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: ‘We can try to avoid the reality of ____, but we can’t escape them.’

Answer 10

trade-offs

Question 11

True or False: People generally lose respect for those who frequently say no.

Answer 11

False

Question 12

Why might journaling help in an essentialist lifestyle?

Answer 12

Journaling allows one to step back, focus on the bigger picture, and avoid getting lost in non-essential tasks.

Question 13

What question should you ask yourself before saying yes to an opportunity?

Answer 13

What other opportunities am I saying no to by saying yes to this?

Question 14

Fill in the blank: ‘Our highest priority is to protect our ability to ____.’

Answer 14

prioritize

Question 15

According to Greg McKeown, what can boundaries prevent?

Answer 15

They can prevent the non-essential from creeping into one’s life.

Question 16

Application: If you want to protect time for family, what might an essentialist say?

Answer 16

‘No, I don’t want to go out for drinks because I want to spend time with my family.’