The Lawyer’s Well-Being Brief. . .The Path of the Essentialist
“The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.”-William James
Welcome (back) to the Lawyer’s Well-Being Brief! Each week, I share insights and practical strategies to help us cultivate well-being and thrive — both personally and professionally. Live well! Lawyer well!
This week we are looking at Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown (https://gregmckeown.com/books/essentialism/). McKeown offers a transformative approach for anyone feeling overwhelmed or stretched too thin by modern life’s demands. The heart of Essentialism is simple but powerful: focus on what truly matters and eliminate what doesn’t. That way, we can channel our energy into living a more purposeful, joyful life.
What Is Essentialism?
Essentialism is about discerning the vital few from the trivial many. It means making tough choices about where to invest time and energy, designing life deliberately instead of reacting to others’ agendas. McKeown argues that replacing the default pursuit of “doing more” with a disciplined focus on “doing less but better” leads to fulfillment, meaningful progress, and satisfaction — not just more activity.
Core Principles of Essentialism
Choice: We have the power to choose where to direct our attention and effort.
Less but Better: Success and well-being come from narrowing our focus to what matters most, rather than scattering effort across too many tasks.
Trade-Offs: Essentialism requires acknowledging we can do anything, but not everything — so we actively say “no” to the nonessential.
Essentialism and Well-Being
Incorporating Essentialist concepts into personal well-being begins with clarity: defining what is truly important, setting firm boundaries, and making space for rest and renewal. Essentialists protect their well-being by:
Saying no firmly and gracefully to requests, commitments, or habits that don’t align with our values.
Prioritizing sleep, reflection, and self-care to boost creativity and decision-making.
Choosing activities and relationships that support our health, happiness, and highest contribution.
Practical Steps for a More Essential Life
Evaluate: Regularly ask, “What is my highest point of contribution?”
Eliminate: Remove tasks, distractions, and obligations that don’t align with core values or purpose.
Execute: Streamline routines so that acting on essential priorities becomes almost effortless.
Protect Boundaries: Establish limits around time and energy in order to safeguard well-being.
When well-being is consistently nurtured, life becomes joyful, productive, and deeply meaningful — not just busy. The path of the Essentialist is not about achievement for achievement’s sake, but rather about experiencing satisfaction, control, and peace in the journey.
Final Thoughts
Embracing Essentialism means living “less but better,” fostering a healthy relationship with work, relationships, and personal pursuits. By choosing deliberately, setting boundaries, and prioritizing the essentials, we unlock greater meaning and resilience in our well-being.
Forward Always!
