ESSENTIALISM

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less 

by Greg McKeown

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I preface this review with an apology to Mr. McKeown
and to the reader of this review. 
"I am sorry that I didn't read this book word for word." 
My husband read me parts of it. At least enough to entice me to go through it and pick out the parts that spoke to me. I find in reading the Self-Help genre I can find some part of each section that explains everything in a nutshell. This book was no different. Chapter 1 just about explains it all. What it didn't have was the magical words/phrases that find their way into my head and pop up every once in a while to remind me to lighten my load. My load is material, activities, and mental baggage. My goal is to identify what is essential and let go of what is non-essential.

Here are my notes:
Part I: Essence
A non-essentialist thinks almost everything is essential.
"I have to, It's all important, I can do both"
An essentialist thinks almost everything is non-essential.
"I choose, I can do anything, but not everything"

The essentialist knows that when he surrenders his right to choose he gives others not just the power, but also the explicit permission to choose for him. We can become a function of other people's choices or even our own past choices.

Part II: Explore
To discern what is truly essential we need space to think, time to look, and listen, permission to play, wisdom to sleep, and the discipline to apply highly selective criteria to the choices we make.
Exercise: 90% Rule-an option to think about the single most important criterion for a decision.
Give your choice a score for 0-100 on its importance.
Any score under 90: the answer is "NO".

Part III: Eliminate
#1 Eliminate the non-essentials "so you can make a higher level of contribution toward the things that are actually vital."
#2 "Remember anytime you fail to say "NO" to a non-essential you are really saying "YES" by default.
Note from me: No decision is a decision!

Part IV: Execute
#1 Break down each task into small steps. 
     Small steps = Small Wins = A Bigger Winner
#2 Design a routine that focuses on what is essential.
      I call my routine, My Rhythm. Routine sounds too much like 'a rut':)
#3 Do what is most important now.
Note: Do the easiest first only if it is the most important. I spend a lot of time doing the unimportant things first because most of the time they are the easiest.

Exercise for you in your closet:

Part II: Explore
Instead of asking: "Is there a chance I will wear this someday in the future?"
Ask: "Do I love this?" "Do I look great in it?" "Do I wear it often?"
If the answer 'no', then eliminate it.

Part III: Eliminate
Now you have a pile of clothes to eliminate. "If you're not quite there, ask the killer question: " 'If I didn't already own this, how much would I spend to buy it?' That usually does the trick."

Part IV: Execute
"If you want your closet to stay tidy, you need a regular routine for organizing it."
Personal Note:
I have a rule: for every one item that comes in another item(s) must go out. I have a 'Donation" box in my garage where I put my discarded items. Habitat for Humanity is on my path. When I am heading that way, I take the box to them and start a new box.

I also have another rule: It's called the '3x's Rule" If I see something I want, I must look at it at least three different times. The first time "I want that". The second time and its still there "I really do want that". The third time and its still there and "I love it and have got to have it"---It's mine!

What is in my head and won't go away?
"Do what is most important now."

"I don't love it. I don't think I look good in it. I try it on and take it off and wear something else every time. It will be out of style in a year." It's gone. There is probably someone that will love it and look good in it. It's theirs!

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Here's another good book
 for lightening your load:
Read my Blog: Throw Out Fifty Things

Good News! Bad News?

I know it is not yet the middle of the year, but I feel the need for an accounting of my 2011 Resolutions...well, maybe just two of them.


I finished quilting my Life Time/Heirloom Double Wedding Ring Quilt.  Resolution No. 2 for 2011-Done!  I still have to finish the Vintage Quilt Block Wall Hanging.


Now you would think I could wash the Double Wedding Ring Quilt and let it go?  ...of course not!  I had always wanted a little yellow in the quilt, but couldn't figure out where to put it.  As soon as I finished the the last stitch in the ditch, I had an inspiration.  

I am thinking of appliquéing butterflies flitting across it.  I am also, embroidering the quilting in the center of the quilt. 


 So much for checking off Resolution No. 2.  It's still on my list to complete this part of the project by the end of the year.






I also have a Blog: Tips 'n Good Stuff...Resolution No. 1
I may have bitten off more than I can chew.  I am going to start incorporating my tips with this blog and my other Blog: Eating In and Out and About. 

Tip: Threading Needles

For all purpose thread:  hold the needle over a white piece of fabric.  Look through the needle to the fabric.  Cut the thread at an angle and thread through the eye.  The eye is easier to see and thus the thread goes in easier.  


For crewel embroidery thread:  cut a piece of paper the width of the eye of the needle.  Fold in half and place thread inside fold.  Slip fold into eye and pull through.  Easy, easy, easy as pie!

For bulky yarns:
Use Dental Floss Threaders

For quilting: thread several needles at a time on the spool.  Then, you don't have to stop each time and thread. 
It takes a few minutes, but worth it.

Throw Out Fifty Things

Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life by Gail Blanke


My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Gail Blanke introduces the book by revealing her "methodology", the "Michelangelo Method".  For you self-disciplined, self-starting individuals the second paragraph of the Introduction says it all... 


"And that's my job as your coach: to help you let go of all the extraneous marble: to chisel your way through the stuff, junk, and clutter -physical and mental- that stands in the way of helping your very best self move into the next glorious phase of your life.” 


In addition, there are just two things you need to know. 
1.) If it weighs you down or makes you feel bad or if it sits there taking up room and contributing nothing positive to your life, “it” goes out. 
2.) When you throw out the physical stuff: 50 socks count as one=only 49 more to go. The mental stuff i.e. guilt over the past or fear of the future counts as one.


For the rest of us! This book is a must read. Ms. Blanke provides lots of how-to tips and anecdotal stories to motivate you to get off your duff and make your dreams come true.


You can also visit her website for sharing your experiences if you decide to make the leap of faith and follow her advice as your coach. 


I have already started my list:

1. 80 Beanie Baby Bears
(don't ask :)  They are too cute!




2. 2 bags of fabric that I would never use in a quilt.


3. 2 boxes of 45rpm records...I bought when I was in the flea market business.  I thought they might make me a profit.  Oh, foolish me!


4. 1 bag of purses to Goodwill.  I don't even like to change purses.  Why do I have so many?


Now only 46 more to go!




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