Have you ever found yourself just caught in that
relentless whirlwind? You know, constant emails,
rushing between meetings, saying yes to maybe
too many things? And then at the end of it all,
you have that nagging feeling that despite being
incredibly busy, you haven't really moved the
needle on what truly matters. Or maybe you've
drifted even further away from, well, your purpose.
It's a very familiar feeling for many, I think.
That sense of being stretched too thin. Exactly.
Feeling perpetually overwhelmed. Well, today
we're aiming to cut through some of that noise.
Good. We're doing a deep dive into something
called essentialism. The disciplined pursuit
of less. A powerful concept. It really is. And
it's not just another time management trick,
is it? Or some productivity hack. No, not at
all. It's much deeper than that. It's a fundamental
shift, really. A recalibration in how you approach
Well, everything, life, work. So it's about figuring
out what's truly essential. Precisely. And then
having the, I suppose, the discipline to intentionally
remove everything else. And to help us navigate
this, we have Prof Mo Imam with us, renowned
for distilling these complex ideas into really
actionable wisdom. Welcome. Thank you. It's a
real pleasure to be here to talk about this.
It's such a vital topic right now. It absolutely
is. Excellent to have you. So let's set the scene
a bit. In many professional circles, maybe particularly
in fields like medicine, being constantly busy,
it's almost worn like a badge of honor, isn't
it? It absolutely is. A sign of importance, almost.
Indispensability. Right. But this relentless
drive for more commitments, more projects, more
papers, everything from an essentialist viewpoint,
it seems to lead somewhere quite different in
the long run. Somewhere. counterproductive. That's
spot -on. It's actually one of those fascinating
aspects of essentialism, how it directly confronts
that ingrained cultural belief that more is always
better. You described the non -essentialist life
perfectly, that constant urge to be busy, to
say yes almost automatically. That reflex, yes.
Exactly, feeling you have to try everything,
working through these endless to -do lists that
frankly never seem to get shorter. They just
grow. They do. And this constant striving, it
looks productive, doesn't it? On the surface.
Yeah, definitely. But underneath, it's often
a futile exercise. It promises achievement. But
what it usually delivers is, well, mounting stress.
Serious decision fatigue. Ah, decision fatigue.
That really resonates. The sheer mental load.
Precisely. It's exhausting. Our brains aren't
really designed for that level of constant fragmented
choosing and shifting focus. We're bombarded.
Constantly. Especially now. Smartphones, social
media notifications popping up. The whole consumer
culture pushing the next best thing. We're suddenly
conditioned to think the next app, the next gadget,
the next opportunity, the next committee role,
that will be the thing that finally brings satisfaction
or makes us feel, you know, relevant or successful.
That it doesn't quite work like that, does it?
Rarely. It just leads to this overwhelming pressure
for constant productivity. Trying to manage time
that isn't really ours because it's driven by
external demands. Trying to prioritize everything.
Which means prioritizing nothing. Effectively,
yes. The cognitive load just becomes immense.
It leads straight to burnout. That feeling of
always being behind even when you're working
flat out. So if that's the problem, this non
-essentialist trap, how does essentialism actually
offer a way out? What is this disciplined pursuit
of less? Right. Well, essentialism stands in
stark contrast to all that. You could think of
it as a sort of manual for living intentionally.
Okay. And it's crucial to grasp it's not about
just doing less for the sake of doing less or
that other common misconception trying to do
more with less resource. That's not it. Right.
Not about squeezing more out. No. The core idea
is about doing the right less. It's about equipping
yourself with the clarity and perhaps the courage.
Courage seems important here. It really is. The
courage to distinguish between your internal
voice. you know, that quiet or authentic compass
pointing towards your genuine priorities, your
values, what you really aspire to, and all that
external noise, the clamor of societal expectations,
fleeting trends, endless requests, the constant
digital distractions. So learning to hear yourself
above the racket. In essence, yes. And then cultivating
the discipline to act on what you hear, to strategically,
systematically remove the non -essential things
from your life, clearing the decks, so to speak.
Clearing the decks for what truly matters, that
distinction, internal voice versus external noise,
feels incredibly powerful. It implies a sort
of conscious slowing down, doesn't it? Moving
away from just reacting all the time. Absolutely.
A conscious deceleration. A shift away from reactive
consumption, reactive agreement, endless activity.
So if someone really embraces this, what are
the kinds of tangible benefits they might start
seeing? in their actual day -to -day life. Oh,
the benefits are profound and often quite quick
to appear once you commit. You'll almost certainly
feel a significant drop in stress levels. That
sounds good already. Doesn't it? Because you're
no longer fighting this relentless tide of obligations
that don't actually align with where you want
to go. Right. You gain a very real increase in
your available time. Tangible hours back in your
day or week. because you've actively pruned away
the things that were just consuming it without
giving much back. Makes sense. And that leads
directly to greater freedom. Freedom to choose
how you spend your energy, who you spend your
time with, what projects or activities you really
want to dedicate yourself to. And you mentioned
finances as well. That's interesting. Yes. Surprisingly
often, people find their financial well -being
improves too. Because you stop bleeding resources,
your time, your energy, and your money into things
that don't truly align with your purpose or bring
you genuine lasting value or joy. So it's really
about intentional living, focusing only on what's
genuinely required and valuable. Exactly that.
Living intentionally, rather than just reacting
to every stimulus, every email, every societal
pressure that comes your way. It's about reclaiming
your agency. reclaiming agency. I like that.
Now, building on that idea of societal pressure,
we are just relentlessly bombarded, aren't we,
with messages that more is better, new is better.
Constantly. Society almost seems to brainwash
us into this cycle of replacement. You know,
the new car every few years, the latest phone
model. Always the upgrade. Yes. Updating wardrobes
constantly just to keep up with fashion. But
does this endless pursuit of new gadgets, new
clothes, constant acquisition. Does it actually
deliver lasting happiness? It feels more like
chasing a high that just fades away really quickly.
You've hit on a crucial point there about lasting
happiness. Yeah. And you're absolutely right.
While getting something new, a shiny gadget,
a new car, the latest fashion item, it does give
you a temporary buzz, doesn't it? Oh, definitely.
That little dopamine hit. Precisely. A rush of
novelty, a feeling of satisfaction. But the psychological
research on this is incredibly consistent and
quite clear that novelty wears off remarkably
fast. Oh, it doesn't last? No. It's a phenomenon
often called the hedonic treadmill. We adapt
very quickly to the new thing. Our baseline happiness
level just resets, and then we're off searching
for the next new thing to give us that temporary
lift. The hedonic treadmill. That explains so
much. It sounds exhausting. It is exhausting.
Yeah. And it creates this unsustainable cycle.
It's magnified today by this pervasive keeping
up with the Joneses mentality, which is kind
of morphed into an obsession with celebrity lifestyles.
Mm, yeah. Instagram lives. Exactly. People trying
to emulate these multi -millionaire standards
often without anything like the same income.
It leads to huge financial strain, debt, and
this deep, nagging sense of dissatisfaction because
the goalposts are always moving. It's a completely
skewed idea of what actually brings real long
-term contentment. So if that thrill of the new
purchase is so fleeting and chasing acquisitions
doesn't lead to lasting happiness, what does
the research tell us? Where is genuine lasting
happiness actually found? Well, if we connect
this back to the bigger picture, essentialism
gives us a framework, a practical tool, to consciously
build genuine value and meaning into our lives.
It helps us invest our limited resources, time,
energy, money strategically, into what truly
brings comfort, growth, and that long -term happiness.
And the research consistently points away from
material accumulation. Towards what, then? Towards
the intangibles, things like nurturing and building
strong, meaningful relationships. The kind that
offer real support, connection, mutual growth.
That's huge. Relationships, yes. Also experiencing
new things. Things that broaden our horizons,
challenge our assumptions, create vivid lasting
memories. Think travel, learning a new skill,
engaging with different perspectives. Experiences
over things. Largely, yes. And crucially, living
authentically. Yeah. Living in alignment with
your own personal values. Doing things that feel
meaningful to you. Now, this isn't about rejecting
all material possessions becoming some sort of
extreme aesthetic. Right, it's not about owning
nothing. No, not necessarily. It's about a fundamental
conscious shift in focus from quantity to quality,
from seeking external validation through possessions
to cultivating internal resonance and meaning.
So being really deliberate, investing in what
enriches life, not just fills space or keeps
up appearances. How does essentialism help us
make those spending choices then? Exactly. Essentialism
champions what you might call mindful spending.
It's about thoughtfully allocating your resources.
And mindful spending. This approach frees you
up to afford higher quality, truly meaningful
items that serve a real purpose and bring lasting
comfort or joy. Think about investing in a home
that genuinely feels like a sanctuary, a space
that supports your well -being rather than just
a showroom. Or maybe it's the simple immense
joy of a beloved pet that offers unconditional
companionship. Can't put a price on that. Quite.
And importantly, it allows for those desired
experiences. Maybe that trip you've always dreamt
of, which creates indelible memories. or investing
in a course that genuinely expands your skills
or knowledge. You know, there's that classic,
quite vivid example from Sex and the City. Yes,
Carrie Bradshaw's shoes. Exactly. She has that
epiphany looking at her enormous shoe collection,
realizing the cumulative cost could have actually
bought her a decent apartment. A sobering thought.
It is. It's a striking illustration of how unexamined
spending, whether it's small, frequent things
or large occasional ones, really does add up.
Mindful spending. Guided by essentialist principles
means you use your money more effectively on
things you genuinely want and will deeply enjoy.
Without going into debt for fleeting trends.
Precisely. It means you can actually say yes
to the experiences and possessions that truly
uplift your life. But you've learned to say no
to all the non -essential stuff that would otherwise
just drain your finances and your energy. That's
a really powerful distinction. Deliberate acquisition
for genuine enrichment. It sounds fantastic,
but Well, intellectually understanding less is
more is one thing. Actually identifying what
truly matters in our complex lives, personal,
professional, that feels like the really hard
part, how do we even start that process? It sounds,
as you said, potentially a bit brutal. deciding
what's truly essential amongst everything vying
for our attention. Okay, yes. Let's definitely
unpack the how, because this is where the theory
meets reality, isn't it? Absolutely. It is a
crucial step. And you're right, the process might
feel a bit mean or brutal initially, but using
simple focused lists. Yeah. It's a fundamental,
surprisingly powerful tool for cutting through
the noise. Lists, okay? Not just mentalists then,
actually writing them down. Oh, absolutely. The
physical act of writing forces a different level
of clarity and commitment. It makes it tangible.
Your first list should be your five most favorite
physical possessions. My five favorite things.
Yes. And what's interesting is these are often
not the most expensive or flashy things you own.
More often than not, they're deeply sentimental.
A small souvenir from a trip that holds powerful
memories. A piece of inherited jewelry. Maybe
a battered photo album full of special moments.
Things with emotional weight. Exactly. Items
that tell your story, not just display monetary
value. This exercise starts to reveal what genuinely
resonates with you beneath the surface layers
of what society suggests you should value. That
makes a lot of sense. The sentimental value often
dwarfs the price tag. What's the next critical
list? Right. The second list. This one is arguably
tougher, but utterly critical for an essentialist
approach. It's the names of the five people who
are most important to you. Ooh, just five. That
sounds difficult. It can feel incredibly difficult,
yes. Especially for professionals with large
networks, big families, lots of social connections.
The thought of leaving someone off can feel almost
like a betrayal. I can see that. But knowing
precisely who these core people are is absolutely
vital for effective time allocation. It forces
you to consciously direct your most precious,
non -renewable resource, your time and focused
energy. Time and energy, yes. Towards those relationships
that truly matter and nourish you, instead of
just reacting to everyone's demands or spreading
yourself too thinly across too many connections.
That really is, as you said before, a stark mirror,
making you face how you actually spend your time
versus where you say your priorities are. Challenging,
but necessary. What about values? our core beliefs.
Good point. List number three. Identify the five
causes or core values you truly want to live
by or deeply care about. Five causes or values.
Yes. And you might find you have fewer than five,
and that's perfectly okay. Authenticity is key.
These could be a commitment to a specific charity,
a dedication to a healthy lifestyle, regular
exercise, mindful eating, or perhaps a deep connection
to your faith or spiritual practice. Things that
guide you. Exactly. This list acts as your foundational
compass. It helps guide how you allocate both
your money and your time, ensuring your daily
actions and bigger life choices align with what
gives your life meaning. It's about building
integrity between your beliefs and your actions.
And the final list are long -term goals. The
fourth list, yes. This requires what I often
call brutal honesty with yourself. Write down
the five life goals that are most important to
you. Brutal honesty, okay. This is where people
often uncover surprises, subconscious desires
or maybe societal scripts they've adopted without
realizing it. You have to genuinely ask yourself,
is accumulating great wealth and getting that
top job really more important than say that round
the world trip you've always dreamt of? Is career
progression truly more significant than starting
a family, if that's also a deep desire? This
exercise often surfaces those deeply held aspirations
that might be getting pushed aside by the day
-to -day noise or the shoulds. It helps you see
your true long -term drivers. These lists really
do compel a level of self -reflection that I
suspect many of us tend to sidestep because it
can feel uncomfortable. It can be uncomfortable
initially, but... liberating in the end. So once
we have these lists, the favorite things, key
people, core values, life goals, how do they
become a practical living tool? How do we use
them day to day? Right. Once you've carefully
crafted them, take a good, long, honest look.
They represent in black and white what you value
most. Okay. Then comes the pivotal question.
Does it now make sense to consciously, strategically,
clear out the things, items, commitments, maybe
even certain interactions that don't feature
on these lists, to make significantly more room
for what does. Ah, so it prompts action. It should
prompt action, yes. And these lists aren't meant
to be filed away. Keep them accessible. On your
phone, in your planner, pinned up somewhere visible.
As a constant reminder. As a filter. When you
face a tough decision, Take on that new project.
Go to that demanding social event. Buy that new
gadget. You refer back to your list. They bring
immediate clarity. Is this aligned? Does it serve
one of my core goals or values? Does it make
time for my key people? A personal filtering
system. Exactly. And it's not a one -off exercise.
You need to revisit these lists. Initially, maybe
twice a year as you're making the shift. Then
perhaps annually once things feel more settled.
Because priorities can change. Priorities absolutely
can and do change as we grow and gain wisdom.
Life circumstances shift. So this practice needs
to continue throughout life. It constantly forces
that profound question, am I truly allocating
my money? most precious resources, time, energy,
focus to what I genuinely value. These lists
are that stark but ultimately liberating mirror.
That's incredibly powerful, a dynamic filter
for life. So, okay, we've identified our essentials
using these lists. The next big hurdle, often
quite intimidating, is protecting that reclaimed
time and focus, which usually involves saying
no. Ah, yes. The dreaded word for many. It really
is. How do we, especially those of us maybe in
caring professions or just naturally inclined
to be people pleasers, start saying no without
feeling overwhelmed by guilt or worrying about
damaging important relationships, professional
or personal? This is a huge psychological barrier
for so many people. The difficulty is deeply
ingrained, isn't it? We're often taught yes is
polite, helpful, collaborative. Exactly. No feels
rude. It can feel rude or unhelpful. And it leads
us into countless unwanted commitments. Helping
a neighbor when you're utterly exhausted and
just need to rest. Spending time with someone
whose company you find draining, purely out of
obligation. Been there. Haven't we all? We feel
this pressure to have a really good externally
validated reason to decline something. But for
an essentialist, the thinking shifts completely.
Self -care isn't just a good enough reason. It's
a perfectly legitimate, profoundly important,
non -negotiable reason to say no. Self -care
is a valid reason. That's key. Absolutely key.
You need to give yourself explicit permission
to decline things simply because you don't feel
like it or because it doesn't align with your
chosen priorities. That example of colleagues
asking you out for expensive cocktails after
a long day, if you genuinely rather go home and
read your book, you can simply politely say,
no thanks, not tonight. And crucially remain
completely guilt -free about it. Learning to
articulate and uphold your no is vital for protecting
yourself, your energy, and your boundaries. It
turns obligation into choice. That's such a critical
reframing, seeing no as self -respect, not selfishness.
But how do we put this into practice more concretely,
especially in professional settings where saying
no might feel risky? How do we set boundaries
others accept without taking offense? This is
where the idea of extreme boundaries and criteria
comes in. It sounds harsh, perhaps, but it's
incredibly effective and actually quite respectful
when done right. Extreme boundaries. Tell me
more. It means being unequivocally clear. consistently
firm and transparent about your limits. Take
the example of those home sales parties, cosmetics,
kitchenware, whatever. If your friends know you
genuinely dislike being sold to by friends, and
you've made that clear, perhaps saying something
like, look, I just can't afford to buy things
at every party, so to be fair to everyone, I'm
gonna have to politely decline all invitations,
then you simply won't get invited. Because you've
set a clear, fair rule. Exactly. You've explained
your reasoning. You're not singling anyone out.
You've set a boundary that applies equally to
all. So it's about being proactive and clear,
not reactive and resentful later? Precisely.
Or think about working from home. A common issue.
Definitely. Blurred lines. People assuming you're
always available for a chat or a favor because
you're at home. Implementing a clear rule like,
I don't take personal calls during my core work
hours. And sticking to it. maybe keeping your
personal phone on silent. Replying later ensures
you protect your focus. It might feel strict
initially. It might seem extreme to some at first,
but this consistent approach works incredibly
well. The overall framework is simple. Be crystal
clear about what you are prepared to do and what
you are not. Don't be afraid to set these boundaries
for your time and energy. And to communicate
the why. Communicating the underlying reason
helps immensely. Once you take a firm, polite
stand, explain why, and maintain it consistently,
people surprisingly quickly learn to accept and
respect it. They see it demonstrate self -respect
and clear priorities. You might even find they
admire it. That's brilliant advice, especially
for navigating demanding environments. Okay,
so essentials identified, boundaries fortified
by learning to say no. But this phrase editing
your life... It still sounds quite drastic. What
does this mean for our physical spaces, our digital
clutter, even relationships? It feels like a
much bigger purge. It is a bigger step, and often
the most emotionally challenging one. But it's
vital for fully embracing this way of living.
It's about consciously creating space. Space.
Physical space. Mental space. Emotional space.
Space for what truly belongs. Space for clarity.
Space for peace. It fosters this profound sense
of lightness. And yes, it often starts with the
most tangible thing. Your physical belongings.
The decluttering. But this isn't just a weekend
tidy up or a spring clean. Think of it as a unique,
intentional, perhaps one -time deep purge that
properly ushers in the essentialist lifestyle.
Oh, one -time purge, okay. It involves systematically
letting go of clothes that don't fit or haven't
been worn in ages. Items around the house you
never actually use. Gifts you receive but secretly
dislike. That old sports equipment in the garage.
Exactly. That dusty exercise bike. Those decorative
bits that don't bring you joy. Books you've read
and won't read again. The instruction is clear.
If tough, donate it. or dispose of it responsibly.
Sounds liberating, but I can immediately feel
the potential emotional hurdles. What about things
we're attached to? Or the guilt over money spent
on things we never used? How do you deal with
that without feeling overwhelmed or, frankly,
a bit foolish? You're absolutely right to anticipate
that. It can be difficult. It often brings up
regret and nostalgia, maybe embarrassment when
you realize just how much stuff you've accumulated
and what it cost. Finding five identical black
jumpers, tags still on, it's humbling. A proper
clear -out demands that brutal honesty we talked
about. And it's not just about getting rid of
things. It's also about using the good things
you might have been saving for some mythical
special occasion. That beautiful dinner set gathering
dust. Precisely. Give yourself a rule, maybe
a six -month rule. If you don't use that fancy
china or those crystal glasses within six months,
really question if keeping them packed away serves
any purpose. That's practical. What about sentimental
clutter? Old photos, kids' drawings. Great question.
Consider digitizing them. Scan the photos. Take
pictures of the drawings. You keep the memory
without the physical bulk. Or maybe turn a few
key drawings into curated art prints. For kids'
old clothes, some people make memory quilts.
Children themselves are often surprisingly unsentimental
about chucking things out once they pick their
current favorites. It's about making peace with
the past to create space for the present. So
it's about ensuring what we keep is truly serving
us, bringing joy or fulfilling a purpose. How
does this editing principle stretch beyond physical
stuff to our digital lives, social circles? Once
you tackle the physical clutter, something shifts.
Your home feels lighter, easier to manage. Finding
things is simpler. You save money. But more importantly,
you cultivate this new awareness, this discernment
muscle. Ah, the discernment muscle. I like that.
And that naturally extends outwards. You feel
empowered to resign from the book club that feels
like a chore, to mass unsubscribe from email
lists that just clog up your inbox and headspace.
Yes, unsubscribe. Even to consciously reduce
contact with, or sometimes end, relationships
with people who consistently drain your energy,
thrive on negativity, or just don't bring positivity
into your life. That takes courage too. It does.
And if you ever waver, You go back to those lists,
your core people, your core values. It provides
the anchor. And remember, this editing isn't
a one -off. It becomes an ongoing practice. You
might find you want to shed even more later,
discovering the deep comfort and satisfaction
of living with even less. It makes you far more
mindful about what you allow in in the future,
new items, new commitments. Will this genuinely
enhance my life or just add clutter? It's a continuous
refinement towards peace. It sounds incredibly
powerful, truly liberating, but I can imagine
listeners thinking, wow, that's a lot. This whole
idea of a comprehensive life edit, it could feel
quite paralyzing. How do we actually make these
huge changes stick? What's the secret to not
getting totally overwhelmed by the scale of it
all? That's a crucial point. And what's fascinating
and really important to grasp is that significant
lasting change rarely happens in one giant leap.
Right. It's not usually an overnight transformation.
Exactly. Essentialist transformation, like any
real personal growth, is built through the accumulation
of consistent, often quite small victories. It's
these small wins that build momentum and make
it feel achievable and rewarding rather than
terrifying. That fear of the huge overhaul is
real, and it does paralyze people. They give
up before they start. So break it down. Avoid
the overwhelm. Precisely. That's why essentialism
is framed as this long -term adaptive process,
built incrementally. Can you give some concrete
examples of these small wins? How does that look
day to day? Absolutely. So if the thought of
clearing out your entire wardrobe feels overwhelming,
maybe today's essentialist goal is simply to
tackle one drawer. or to identify just five items
of clothing to donate. Or, if you're trying to
build new routines and can't map out the whole
week perfectly yet, just jot down ideas as they
occur to you on a notepad. Don't aim for the
perfect routine immediately. The key is consistency
over scale. Small, regular efforts compound over
time. You're building new habits, new ways of
thinking, one tiny choice at a time. And how
do routines themselves fit into making this sustainable,
especially with busy, unpredictable professional
lives? Routines are absolutely fundamental for
embedding essentialism. They provide the structure,
the predictable rhythm needed for a simpler,
more organized, more intentional life. Structure
in the chaos. Exactly. Routine ensures your time
gets compartmentalized. Not just for the unavoidable
obligations and planning, but crucially for dedicated
free time. That often neglected free time. Yes.
Specifically for those meaningful personal tasks
that always seem to get pushed to the bottom
of the list. That sewing project, writing that
book chapter, practicing guitar, painting. The
things that actually replenish us. Precisely.
The things that bring satisfaction, foster creativity,
restore your spirit. But they often get squeezed
out because they don't feel urgent or aren't
formally scheduled. Routine gives them their
rightful place. So it ensures the things on our
essential lists actually happen. How detailed
should these routines be? Does every minute need
mapping out? Not necessarily every minute, but
initially, being quite detailed helps establish
the new patterns. Using planners physical or
digital to block out time for tasks, even small
ones like walk the dog or read for 30 minutes,
creates accountability. Write it down. Make it
real. Yes. But crucially, routines need adjusting.
They aren't rigid templates. You tweak them until
they genuinely suit your needs, your energy patterns,
your specific professional demands. You'll know
it's working when you're consistently meeting
your key obligations, giving quality time to
your important people, and still having that
restorative free time for your own pursuits.
It boosts productivity, yes, but more importantly,
it brings a sense of control, fulfillment, and
peace. And finally, what about the mindset? How
do we stay motivated through this? Those old
habits of more, more, more are so deeply ingrained
in us and society. That's where actively recognizing
and celebrating every single success, no matter
how small it seems, becomes absolutely vital.
Celebrating the small wins. Yes. Consciously
acknowledging them. This affirmation reinforces
your decision to lid intentionally. It gives
psychological weight to what you value and motivates
you to keep removing the distractions. It is
hard to swim against the cultural tide of wanting
more, so every decluttered shelf, every no you
manage to say gracefully, every bit of protected
time, it deserves recognition. Self -compassion
is key here. And maybe sharing those successes.
Sharing can be incredibly powerful. You might
inspire friends or colleagues just by living
it. And starting any new way of living is always
easier if you feel some support, even if it's
just one person who gets it. It's all about building
that unstoppable momentum through consistent
small steps, celebrating progress, and staying
focused on a life of deliberate purpose. for
you, the listener, contemplating applying this
to your own demanding life? Well, remember, essentialism
isn't about doing more with less effort or even
just doing less overall. It's about doing the
right less. So the real, perhaps provocative
question I'd leave you with is this. What is
the single most critical non -essential thing
you can identify in your life today? And what
if you decided to courageously eliminate it right
now to immediately make space for what truly
matters? A very powerful thought to consider
and maybe act on. If you found this deep dive
valuable, we'd be incredibly grateful if you
could take just a moment to rate and share it
with a colleague or friend who might also benefit.
Professor, thank you so much for guiding us through
this essential conversation today. It's been
my absolute pleasure. Thank you for having me.
And thank you for joining us on the Deep Dive.
We look forward to exploring more vital topics
with you next time.