Essentialism: less is more
Essentialism isn't just another productivity tool; it's a mindset shift.
Remember when you first started your job? The excitement of a monthly income, the promise of climbing the ladder, the allure of those sweet benefits? Fast forward a few years, and you're drowning in meetings about meetings, juggling multiple projects that all seem "high priority," and trying to figure out how to squeeze in time to work on your Substack without your boss noticing.
Essentialism: The life jacket you didn’t know you needed.
At its core, Essentialism by Greg McKeown is about doing less, but better. It's about ruthlessly prioritising what matters and letting go of the rest.
Here are the three "coffee beans" of essentialism that you need to start brewing:
Less But Better: Instead of trying to be a corporate superhero, focus on the tasks that actually matter. And guess what? Your Substack writing probably matters more to your long-term happiness than that PowerPoint presentation your boss wants "ASAP."
From Atomic Habits: Start small. James Clear advises attaching your new writing habit to something you already do. For example, write one paragraph while enjoying your morning coffee. This simple habit can become the cornerstone of your writing routine.
Choice: Recognize that you have more power than you think. You can say no to that "optional" happy hour. You can decline to take on that extra project. Use that time to write, to build your audience, to plan your escape.
Tonya Dalton, in The Joy of Missing Out, reframes saying no as an act of self-respect. Every "no" to something non-essential at work is a "yes" to your dreams. As Dalton puts it, “Every ‘no’ is a ‘yes’ to something else.”
Action Step: Look at your schedule this week. Where can you say no to create space for something that truly matters?
Trade-offs: Every yes to something at work is a no to your writing dream. Start making intentional trade-offs that favour your future self.
Emily and Amelia Nagoski’s Burnout offers a powerful perspective here: burnout isn’t just about being busy; it’s about being stuck in a cycle where your effort doesn’t align with your values. Writing isn’t just an escape—it’s a way to reconnect with your deeper purpose and complete the stress cycle.
Action Step: Each day, choose one writing task that moves you closer to your dream, whether it’s outlining a post or brainstorming ideas.
Implementing Essentialism
Identify What's Essential: What's the one thing you could do today that would move you closer to full-time writing? Maybe it's outlining your next post, maybe it's reaching out to a potential collaborator. Do that thing.
Cal Newport’s Deep Work reinforces this point: focused, distraction-free work is where the magic happens. Protect your energy and attention for tasks that truly matter.
Eliminate the Non-Essential: Look at your calendar. How many of those meetings do you actually need to attend? How many of those tasks are just busywork? Start ruthlessly cutting. As Greg McKeown says, “Only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution.”
Create a Routine: Carve out sacred writing time. Maybe it's 5 AM before work, maybe it's your lunch break. Protect this time like it's your ticket out of your full-time job (because it is).
From Burnout: Writing doesn’t just help you achieve your goals—it’s also a way to process and release the stress that’s been weighing you down. Completing the stress cycle, as the Nagoski sisters explain, is key to recovering your energy and creativity.
Pause and Reflect: Regularly check in with yourself. Is what you're doing moving you closer to your goal of full-time writing, or is it just keeping you comfortable in your corporate cocoon? This is where Atomic Habits shines: small, consistent improvements lead to big results. Ask yourself: What small change can I make today that moves me closer to the life I want?
So, what's essential for you this week?
Is it finally setting up that Substack page? Is it reaching out to potential subscribers? Whatever it is, do that.
Really nice read. I wrote on a similar topic recently about the power of saying no. We are generally wired to say yes to so many things that we get overwhelmed and burned out. I love the filter you put this through. It's great to have a system or criteria for what tasks or projects you really need to focus on and then let the rest go.