Essentialism: Focusing on What Truly Matters
As a married dad of three, gym owner, and business mentor, I can tell you firsthand—it’s easy to get pulled in a hundred directions at once. There’s always more to do, more to try, and more people asking for your time.
That’s why Greg McKeown’s book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m about halfway through and already calling it one of the best books I’ve read in years. No fluff, no filler—just simple, clear truths.
The line that stood out most so far?
👉 “Will this activity or effort make the highest possible contribution towards my goals?”
It’s such a simple question, but when you start asking it, everything changes.
The Power of Essentialism
Essentialism is all about identifying what truly matters and stripping away everything else.
Most of us live like we’re juggling 20 balls in the air—work, family, health, hobbies, side projects, social obligations. We try to keep them all moving, but the truth is, not all of them are essential. Some are distractions. Some keep us busy but don’t move us closer to the life we actually want.
The essentialist mindset says: focus on less, but better.
- Instead of trying to do everything, choose the right things.
- Instead of spreading your energy thin, put it where it matters most.
- Instead of constantly saying “yes,” get comfortable saying “no” to the non-essential.
It’s about quality over quantity, in every area of life.
Essentialism in Fitness
This mindset applies perfectly to health and fitness.
I see it all the time—people chasing every new diet trend, downloading five different workout programs, or trying to do cardio, yoga, lifting, and CrossFit all in the same week. They’re exhausted, frustrated, and wondering why they’re not making progress.
The essentialist approach? Focus on what gives the highest return on effort:
- Strength training 2–3 times per week.
- Eating enough protein and controlling calories.
- Sleeping well.
- Staying consistent.
That’s it. Forget the gimmicks. Forget the noise. Stick to the essential, and you’ll see results.
Essentialism in Business and Life
As a business owner, I’ve learned the hard way that doing more doesn’t always mean doing better. Sometimes the best move is to cut out the “busy work” and double down on the tasks that actually move the needle.
Same goes for family life. With three kids, I could spend every day running to activities, events, and endless commitments. But I’ve learned to pause and ask: Is this the best use of my time with them? Sometimes, the answer is just being home, present, and eating dinner together without rushing off to the next thing.
Your Turn
The question I’ve been asking myself all week is the same one I’ll leave with you:
👉 “Will this activity or effort make the highest possible contribution towards my goals?”
Look at your workouts. Your nutrition. Your schedule. Your relationships. Your work.
What’s one thing you could cut out that isn’t essential?
And what’s one thing you should double down on because it matters most?
Essentialism isn’t about doing less for the sake of less. It’s about doing less so you can do better.
👉 Ready to simplify your fitness and focus only on what matters? Book a free consultation here, and we’ll create a personalized plan built around the essentials.
