Lists / People
Greg McKeown
essentialism / *Essentialism*, *Effortless*
Greg McKeown is a speaker, podcaster, and author focused on productivity and intentional living. His 2014 book *Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less* became a global business bestseller, advocating ruthless prioritisation over busyness. His follow-up, *Effortless* (2021), extends that framework by arguing that the right things need not be achieved through struggle.
51/ 100
Authority scoreNotable
1lists#53peak1primary1category
Frameworks
Attributed to Greg McKeown
Mental models, principles, and operating frameworks extracted from sources where Greg is the credited author or speaker.
16frameworks
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Building Buffers
Prepare for the unexpected by adding margin to everything you plan.
Productivity·from Essentialism
Editing Your Life
Making things better means deliberately subtracting, not adding.
Productivity·from Essentialism
Essential Intent
One decision that eliminates a thousand later decisions.
Leadership·from Essentialism
Protecting the Asset
Your most valuable asset is yourself — prioritize sleep, health, and recovery to sustain peak contribution
Self-Mastery·from Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Protect the Asset (Sleep as Priority)
The best asset you have for making a contribution is yourself.
Peak Performance·from Essentialism
Subtract to Accelerate
Find the slowest hiker and lighten their load to speed up the whole group.
Productivity·from Essentialism
The 90 Percent Rule
If it isn't a clear 90 out of 100, it's a zero. Eliminate the merely good.
Strategy·from Essentialism
The Essentialist Mindset
Less but better — the relentless pursuit of only what is truly essential
Mindset·from Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
The Explore-Eliminate-Execute Process
A cyclical three-step system for doing less but better — explore widely, eliminate ruthlessly, execute effortlessly
Productivity·from Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
The Genius of Routine
Design routines that make executing the essential automatic and effortless.
Productivity·from Essentialism
The Graceful No
Saying no is an act of courage that protects what is essential.
Communication·from Essentialism
The Power of Choice
Choice is not a thing you have. It is an action you take.
Self-Mastery·from Essentialism
The Power of the Graceful No
Say no firmly, resolutely, and gracefully — trading short-term popularity for long-term respect
Self-Mastery·from Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
The Sunk-Cost Escape
Ask not what you have already invested, but what you would invest starting fresh.
Strategy·from Essentialism
Trade-Off Thinking
Accept that you cannot have it all. Ask 'Which problem do I want?'
Strategy·from Essentialism
What's Important Now (WIN)
Focus only on the present moment. The future takes care of itself.
Productivity·from Essentialism
Domains
Framework distribution
16frameworks
Productivity6 frameworks · 37.5%
Self-Mastery3 frameworks · 18.8%
Strategy3 frameworks · 18.8%
Mindset1 framework · 6.3%
Peak Performance1 framework · 6.3%
Communication1 framework · 0%
Other1 framework · 12.3%
Bibliography
Sources by Greg McKeown
3sources
Appears alongside
Top neighbors of Greg McKeown
8people
01
A.G. Lafley & Roger Martin
playing-to-win / *Playing to Win*
1shared list
02Adam Grant
give-and-take / *Give and Take*, *Originals*, *Think Again*
1shared list
03Alice Schroeder
Buffett biographer / *The Snowball*
1shared list
04Andrew Lo
adaptive markets / *Adaptive Markets*
1shared list
05Andy Stanley
leadership communication / *Communicating for a Change*
1shared list
06Angela Duckworth
grit / *Grit*
1shared list
07Annie Murphy Paul
extended mind / *The Extended Mind*
1shared list
08Ashlee Vance
Musk biographer / *Elon Musk* (2015)
1shared list
Last updated
10 May 2026