Essentialism by Greg McKeown - A Visual Summary

In an era pushing more of everything, here's the case for the disciplined pursuit of less.
Learn how to take visual notes: www.verbaltovisual.com
Essentialism by Greg McKeown (Amazon affiliate link): amzn.to/2SoqvPn
Timestamps:
0:00 Overview
1:42 Explore
4:03 Eliminate
6:40 Execute
My name is Doug Neill and I'm passionate about helping others reach their full creative potential. I teach a skill called sketchnoting (also known as visual note-taking and graphic recording), which for me is a gateway to doing better work. Check out the resources below for more info.
** Resources **
Getting Started with Sketchnoting (Free Download): geni.us/Wo6w
An Introduction To Visual Note-Taking: geni.us/DFJw0
Sketchnoting In The Classroom: geni.us/0jlmV
How To Make Sketchnote Videos: geni.us/uzXlBq
Learn a New Language with Sketchnotes: geni.us/iuAFK
Build an Online Course with Sketchnotes: geni.us/4zfvYA
Learn In Public: geni.us/SdNM9
The Verbal To Visual Community: geni.us/tyI2N8a
*Our Website*
www.verbaltovisual.com/
I've chosen to not be on any social media platforms other than KZbin.
To stay in touch via email, subscribe to my newsletter: geni.us/nwHp

[@intuonisr8425]

This is actually the first youtube comment I’ve ever written. Thank you for such concise, well-designed and impactful content, including meaningful personal inputs 🙏

[@mohamedalkhoori7925]

I just finished reading this book and wanted a summary since the book was deep. Couldnt have made it/said it better myself; your visuals are remarkable!!! Thanks Doug!!

[@verbaltovisual]

Thanks Mohamed!

[@jim7smith]

One of the best youtube experiences ever! Not a single wasted sentence!

[@VusiKokela]

Totally agree

[@Mushroom321-]

Right!!!, i love this idea!, Thank you !! 😲👏👏

[@slrd_spiritual]

You're ALMOST there.... alllllllll you gotta do is combine all of this with *listening to your Heart, intuition/spirit/soul/ 3rd eye..* and BAM!! You've found *true* peace. And i mean TRUE peace!! 😌. God bless us 🙏.

[@CaliberDawn]

As a horribly indecisive, obsessive person, it’s helpful to remember the selection process of “hell yeah or no.” I always get stuck rerunning the in-betweens in my head.

[@Sodainspace]

Thank you first this video, I am experiencing burnout from work and someone recommended me this book. It’s making a lot more sense why I’m burning out, it really is because I don’t know how to say No, I’m always giving my time and energy but others treat me like crap anyway, this video really makes sense to me

[@mhdkhzli]

You could say watching this is actually using essentialism on the book itself 😆❤ Thank you

[@samkern101]

Greg this was awesome. As someone who's never seen your stuff before, it was actually better to NOT see your face/have you do an intro at the beginning haha. Straight to the value (and trading popularity for respect ;) ) Well done.

[@verbaltovisual]

Thanks Sam, I agree that there are benefits to the straight-to-the-value approach too! I find myself wanting to go back and forth these days :)

[@kieronbotting5265]

Thank you for creating this. I love the book. It’s amazing. All the best in your future endeavours!

[@jimmiewhite]

Thank you so much. Great information, beautifully executed. I love your work.

[@Rezilium]

Fantastic summary. Fantastic video. Please keep these summaries coming

[@cardsordie7129]

I read the book a few years ago and this is such a good summary. Thank you. It saved me trying to find my notes and was a lot clearer than they would have been!

[@makespace7345]

Thank you! This was great for me to get a bit more detail on essentialism. Also, I've been using your videos for about 7 years with my approx. 9-12 year old students encourage visual note-taking.I talk with them about listening without dying from death by, well, listening.... You can see the revelation & delight on their faces as a primary school teacher encourages them to doodle while they listen to her! Hehe, love it. They are so much calmer when they are visual note-taking.Thank you for your great videos!! Rhylie

[@karsmusic10101]

I've been loving this book since then, I'm reading it again from my journal 😍

[@SwitchtheDitch]

Love your style and way to explain the essentials of this book!

[@omysparkles]

Best summary of this great book. Love it!

[@sfguy8460]

This is great. I just finished the book this morning and then discovered the summary afterward. Extremely helpful!

[@haleyh9875]

Incredibly thorough and introspective! Thank you for the summary : )

[@rstores1]

Wow,this is so well done. Totally captures the key ideas and principles of the book (which I just finished) and was wondering how to succinctly remember and articulate. Thank you!

[@verbaltovisual]

Thanks Ralf, glad it's a helpful recap for you!

[@kyleschneider3147]

I'm both an essentialist and a perrenialist. And I've studied both in depth without even knowing. Great explanation. Thank you.

[@jorgesanabria6484]

What an awesome multifaceted channel! So glad I came across it.

[@tyleralyssaringen3691]

Thank you for doing this! Just finished the 6 hour, unabridged, audio book. There is a LOT of powerful concepts I want to think on and become. And I really appreciated this great sum up. I will use it as I review my notes from the book. Thanks!!

[@CalmLotus]

Doug - that was super neat! I've heard of this book but haven't had a chance to read it. I really appreciate the effort you went to put this fun visual summary together. I watched right until the end. Keep up your amazing work!

[@MarleyPeifer]

I love that book! I listened to it twice back to back, then checked it out and read it thirstily. Thanks for the review!

[@gammavannabae]

Wow , just stumbled on this and Im so grateful and impressed. Thank you!

[@ethereal9216]

Worth watching. This is absolutely helpful, keep doing such brilliant works!

[@ikandykan]

Thank you! Brilliant summary.

[@ManuelPamplona]

Just read the book and there are some many useful ideas, I was looking for some good summarizing but this is perfect. Congrats and thanks

[@jackerol4171]

Simply brilliant! Thank you.

[@immesu6726]

thank you for this video.. i truly find this so useful and inspiring and encouraging. i also learn best from verbal to visual. thank you really. this is a gem.

[@dnkza]

Such a great summary - thanks so much!!

[@jtsparksibm]

Idea of titles of chapters as a verb- love this for many planning opportunities.. if we only use adjectives, we are only describing.. but verbs give it an action point.

[@ndohmen]

Fantastic method of distllling! Loved this... thank you!

[@gerolori]

that was insanely beautiful, thanks for your drawing!

[@qaykakyong7878]

this is brilliant presentation. Truely prove the meaning of ESSENTIALlSM in the way you express all word! great job 👏

[@Marcos-wd2yt]

Best summary of essentialism, great video!!

[@dailytheology1689]

Excellent video, thank you for drawing this out so clearly. Well done.

[@elizabethflores5571]

Loved this video, it really helped me. Thanks!

[@russianwithvladimir9126]

Impressive presentation! Thank you!

[@bill_jennings]

Very helpful. This content has caused me to want to read this book to learn more about essentialism. Good job. I've subscribed too.

[@suvetuur]

Thanks for creating this nice, short and precise visual summary!

[@verbaltovisual]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chimdi]

This was fantastic, thank you!

[@nachiketmr9944]

Well put video, great work with the summarization!

[@MelanieAnneMusic]

Really appreciate you doing this. Thank you!

[@etonfoods3013]

This is fantastic.. Immediate subscriber. Putting my face on camera has also been a hindrance in getting videos done so it was nice to hear am not alone in my desire to share/teach while keeping myself out of it.

[@EduardoSDR]

Muito bom! Maybe I can not read the book, but this summary has given me some ideas on how to improve things that I was already trying here to focus on the essentials. Obrigado! (Thank you!)

[@Arrian1111]

Thanks for this. The book is padded out with a lot of stories - so it was good to get to the core. (I'm on Chapter 4).

[@farahreynoso1940]

I just finish the book today! love your video

[@emwhite6796]

Incredibly helpful thank you very much Doug 👍🙏😁

[@jawilliamsg]

Thank you! Great work!

[@haniyell]

This video was all I needed! Thanks

[@virtusvoid6310]

It looks like you've understood the idea of essentialism quite well. 'Cause the the video is extremely well put. Thank you!

[@jilltbutterfield8207]

Brilliant! Thank you

[@jaikishansmspl39]

Nicely shared.

[@carlosz114able]

Excellent review

[@luigi_border]

No one will believe me but, I am that. It started with getting rid of bad places and people, but eventualy it became an approach to every decision It reached my work ethics, even my teaching methodology, which became a pleasure to work on. Once you've made a good decision in life, you become motivated to repeat it.

[@camilavinco5351]

You are amazing! Thanks for the video!

[@annelozier8392]

Just heard about this book today and loved the preview! I'm going to get the book.

[@verbaltovisual]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@mathiasfleck3507]

amazing summary. Tks you!

[@matik3667]

Thank you for this.

[@HughCulver]

Doug that was fantasitc - this is such a great way to get a quick review of McKeown’s book. I’ve pulled it off the shelf for a re-read. Thanks!

[@verbaltovisual]

Thanks Hugh! This is one of those books that I plan to revisit regularly too.

[@lila4869]

amazing!

[@vivettegarciadeister2751]

I keep coming back to this every few months. Thanks. Request: could you do Subtract, by Leidy Klotz? This is a wonderful companion to Essentialism, in my opinion

[@shayyyy2013]

I just discovered this book, and on my research to see if this is something I should invest in and buy vs borrow from my local library, I stumbled on your video and this video is PHENOMENAL. Really well put together and well done.

[@verbaltovisual]

Thank you!!!

[@deecoe2520]

Awesome summary thanks 👍

[@SueBookhout1]

This is great. I love it. I’d be interested to learn more about your workflow to prepare for creating one of these videos? Things like how you plan out what will go into your drawing and how much time you put into it before you’re ready to go on camera? Part of what makes your videos so great is that you’ve clearly put time and effort into preparing, yet they still have a somewhat rough look that doesn’t look over-planned. I guess that’s the beauty of sketch notes when done well. 😊

[@verbaltovisual]

Glad you enjoyed the video, Sue! As far as prep goes, I sketched out my weekly workflow here: instagram.com/p/Bohal1hgO8z/. I go through a few drafts but I never want to (or have time to) get the videos too polished. I'm embracing the idea of getting to 80% and calling it good! Because sometimes when you shoot for 90 or 100% you just shoot yourself in the foot.

[@shelleyroy5188]

Great video and some very practical ideas. This would be a great partner book with Creating Your BE-Print Drafting Your Personal Blueprint for Living by Smith & Roy

[@sonalvrathi]

Amazing summery. Thank you so much.

[@verbaltovisual]

Thanks Sonal!

[@nilsgrafo5999]

Thank you thank you thank you - what an excellent video!!! Great to see an "analogue" drawing video - I'm gonna check out the rest of your videos too.

[@verbaltovisual]

Thanks Nils, glad you enjoyed it!

[@austinkent9884]

Fantastic video!

[@khongorzulaltangerel2742]

Amazing!

[@conradosa]

Amazing.

[@leeomar8474]

Thank you Verbal to Visual

[@SN-sz7kw]

Wow. Thank you!

[@bunmiayo3705]

Amazing!!!! Thank You!!!

[@lorraineturton4485]

This video is excellent. Life is all about balance. I really appreciate the animated visuals. Content is superb. Inspiring. :-)

[@verbaltovisual]

Thank you Lorraine! Glad you enjoyed the video, and I appreciate the kind words.

[@leonylias]

Great summary

[@maurreese]

Thank you!!

[@raerae2885]

Thank you!

[@dev.jessicabonzo]

wow, i love the content. thank you for making this. youre helping me to be better. 🤗❤️

[@verbaltovisual]

Thanks Jessica, glad you enjoyed it!

[@dev.jessicabonzo]

@@verbaltovisual this was my sign to finally buy the book 😆 totally worth it!

[@Jesper.Schjllrp]

Brilliant 🤩

[@ddm.coment.o]

Wish you could build like a Blinckist service from this for visual learners. This brings so much value to me. Wish I could support a platform for that. 😍😍😍😍

[@josephinelivina4224]

Love this

[@tasminrootman9779]

Great sketchnote. I love this way of learning. Just a small request: Could you move the captions for the last section to read at the top or middle of the page so that it doesn't obscure what you are sketching? You've introduced an amazing way of storing the info I really need in my noggin. Thank you!

[@verbaltovisual]

You can actually click and drag them yourself! That's a nice feature that KZbin has built into their captions.

[@audiomoody7912]

Great video good man

[@cristin794]

Nice! Thanks.

[@mick0905]

I just wanted to draw legs on the "sleep" cloud and change the text to "sheep".

[@yohanesliong4818]

Thank you

[@thiagoccmorais]

Thanks a lot!

[@hankakoukalova4401]

excellent!

[@susanharkema2888]

I really appreciated your personal example of what/how you eliminated an obstacle in your process. It's interesting to think about our procrastination...is it because it's a no or is it an obstacle to your hell yes?!

[@verbaltovisual]

Thanks Susan! I like your take on procrastination, that's a good question.

[@Betterworldforyou.]

Executed well . Thank you !

[@harasunflower]

The best!!! 😍😍😍

[@bernazerrincobas9341]

thank you

[@kikidocken6777]

As I am learning how to learn I am trying to pick up different strategies. You analyze books very well. Can you tell me what questions you ask to help you better analyze a book when start a book?

[@verbaltovisual]

I think the overarching question that I'm always asking is: which of these ideas do I want to start applying to my life? With some books only a few ideas here and there stand out. With others (like this book) it's the entire framework that I'm interested in, hence the value I find in mapping the whole thing out.

[@kikidocken6777]

@@verbaltovisual Thank you!

[@jodilynmcvicker5194]

What program/platform do you use to create the drawings? Is this Doodly?

[@verbaltovisual]

This one's pen and paper!

[@momamu5828]

Thanks about Your explanation yaa 😁🤟

[@lyllies1130]

thanks

[@dylanbahnan1485]

I really loved this, I've recently discovered your channel and like it a lot, but I'm curious do you plan your pages/sketches before you make them?

[@verbaltovisual]

When making videos like this I do! Here's a video on that process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6etk6aoo9WYoKc. If I'm just taking notes for myself it often looks a lot rougher, but I still try to incorporate visuals in a similar way as what you see here.

[@dylanbahnan1485]

@@verbaltovisual awesome, thanks! Funny, I stumbled across sketch noting because I'm doing the 'artists way' and saw you'd done it too. Pretty cool

[@verbaltovisual]

@@dylanbahnan1485 Oh, nice! Great book.

[@arinzeanajemba1005]

Nice.