Clara Voss's AI Blog

If you had told me a few years ago that simplifying my life could lead to greater productivity, I would have laughed. I was a person who thrived on chaos—always juggling multiple tasks at once, rushing from one project to the next, and trying to do everything that came my way. After all, more was always better, right? But then I came across Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown, and it completely changed my perspective. This book didn't just teach me how to be more productive—it reshaped the way I thought about work, life, and what it means to be truly fulfilled.

Here's how Essentialism took me on a journey from constant overwhelm to a life filled with intentionality, focus, and unparalleled productivity.

The Wake-Up Call: Realizing the Cost of Busyness

Before discovering Essentialism, I lived a life driven by constant busyness. I filled every moment of my day with tasks—whether it was responding to emails, attending meetings, or taking on new projects. I believed that the more I did, the more successful and productive I would become. But deep down, I always felt burnt out and frustrated. I wasn’t accomplishing anything that truly mattered. I had been chasing quantity, not quality.

One day, I sat down and reflected on how I was spending my time. I realized that I had become a victim of the “more is better” mentality, thinking that if I didn’t take on every opportunity, I was somehow failing. But as McKeown explains in his book, there’s a huge difference between being busy and being productive. Being busy means filling your time with nonessential tasks that don’t contribute to your goals. In contrast, being productive means focusing on what truly matters and eliminating the distractions that take you off course.

That was my wake-up call. I knew I needed to change my approach.

The Art of Saying “No” and Setting Boundaries

One of the first lessons I learned from Essentialism was the power of saying “no.” For most of my life, I had been afraid of turning down opportunities or requests, fearing that I would miss out or disappoint others. I felt a constant pressure to say “yes” to everything that came my way. But McKeown’s book taught me that saying “yes” to everything often means saying “no” to what’s truly important.

The art of saying “no” became my most powerful tool in reclaiming my time and energy. Instead of feeling guilty or anxious about turning down tasks or projects, I began to see it as an act of self-respect. Saying “no” wasn’t about rejecting others—it was about protecting my time so I could focus on the things that truly aligned with my purpose and values.

In the past, I had been afraid that by saying “no,” I would be perceived as unproductive or unhelpful. But the truth is, every time I said “yes” to something that wasn’t aligned with my goals, I was giving up the opportunity to work on something meaningful. Saying “no” wasn’t just about rejecting tasks—it was about making space for the things that truly mattered.

Prioritizing What Matters Most

The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on the vital few things that have the greatest impact. Before reading Essentialism, I often spread myself too thin, trying to do everything at once and giving equal importance to everything on my to-do list. But McKeown challenged me to ask myself one fundamental question: “What is essential?”

This simple yet profound question changed my life. It made me realize that I don’t have to do everything—I only need to do the things that matter most. Instead of trying to juggle a million tasks at once, I started prioritizing my time and energy around the few activities that had the most significant impact on my life and goals.

One of the most powerful tools I started using was the “80/20 rule,” which is the idea that 80% of our results come from just 20% of our efforts. By focusing on the 20% of tasks that really moved the needle in my personal and professional life, I was able to achieve far more with far less effort. I stopped wasting time on things that didn’t bring value, and instead, I started putting my energy into activities that had the greatest return.

Embracing the Power of Focus

One of the core principles of Essentialism is the importance of focus. In a world filled with constant distractions, staying focused on one thing at a time can be incredibly difficult. But McKeown emphasizes that focusing on one task allows you to give it your full attention and energy, which ultimately leads to better results.

I began applying this principle in my daily routine. Instead of multi-tasking (which I thought was a badge of honor), I started giving my undivided attention to the task at hand. Whether it was writing a blog post, creating content for my business, or simply spending time with loved ones, I focused on doing one thing at a time.

This shift in mindset not only improved my productivity but also enhanced the quality of my work. I wasn’t rushing through tasks anymore; I was fully present and engaged, which led to more thoughtful, impactful results. By focusing on the essential tasks and eliminating distractions, I felt more accomplished and less overwhelmed at the end of each day.

Creating Space for Rest and Reflection

Another key takeaway from Essentialism is the importance of creating space for rest and reflection. For years, I had lived under the assumption that rest was a luxury I couldn’t afford. I thought that the more I worked, the more productive I would be. But McKeown made me realize that true productivity is about balance, not burnout.

I began to make time for rest, reflection, and self-care. Whether it was taking short breaks throughout the day or scheduling regular periods of downtime, I learned that rest wasn’t a sign of laziness—it was a necessary component of long-term productivity. By allowing myself to recharge, I became more energized, focused, and creative. The simple act of taking time off became one of the most productive things I could do.

The Joy of Living with Intention

One of the most profound shifts in my life after reading Essentialism was the realization that living intentionally leads to a more fulfilling life. By cutting out the nonessential tasks and focusing only on what matters, I was able to dedicate more time to the things that brought me joy and fulfillment. I spent more time on personal development, pursuing my passions, and nurturing my relationships.

Living intentionally doesn’t mean saying “no” to everything that’s fun or enjoyable—it means saying “yes” to the things that align with your values and goals. By living with purpose and focus, I found that I had more time and energy for the things that truly mattered.

Conclusion: A Life of Less is a Life of More

Reading Essentialism transformed my life in ways I never expected. It taught me that productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing less, but doing it better. By focusing on the essential and eliminating the distractions, I became more effective in my work, more present in my relationships, and more fulfilled in my personal life.

The principles of essentialism have helped me reclaim my time and energy, allowing me to live a more intentional, focused, and productive life. Instead of constantly chasing after the next big thing, I now prioritize the things that truly matter and bring value to my life.

As McKeown so beautifully puts it, “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” By embracing Essentialism, I’ve taken control of my time and my life. And in doing so, I’ve discovered that less truly is more.