The pursuit of productivity often leads us down a path of doing more, adding more, and becoming more. But what if the secret to true productivity isn’t addition but subtraction? What if doing less—but doing it better—is the answer?

Greg McKeown’s “Essentialism” offers a refreshing counterpoint to our culture’s obsession with busyness. The book presents a compelling case for focusing only on what truly matters and eliminating everything else. As someone who has struggled with overcommitment and the constant pressure to do it all, I find McKeown’s philosophy both challenging and liberating.

Let me share five powerful productivity habits from Essentialism that can transform how you work and live.

The 90% Rule is perhaps one of the most practical decision-making tools I’ve encountered. When facing any choice, if it’s not a clear, enthusiastic “YES!” that scores at least 90% against your criteria, it becomes an automatic no. This binary approach eliminates the mediocre options that often consume our time without delivering proportionate value.

Have you ever said yes to something, then immediately regretted it? The 90% Rule prevents this common pitfall by raising your standards for what deserves your attention.

“The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.” – Lin Yutang

This rule applies to everything—from deciding which projects to pursue to which meetings to attend. By applying this stringent filter, I’ve found myself engaged in fewer but far more meaningful activities. The result? More energy, better results, and significantly less regret.

The Vital Few principle stems from the Pareto Principle, which states that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. As an Essentialist, your job is to identify which 20% of your efforts yield 80% of your results—then focus relentlessly on those activities.

This requires honest assessment. Which of your daily tasks truly move the needle? Which relationships energize and support your goals? Which habits contribute most to your well-being?

“You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything.” – John Maxwell

When I applied this principle to my work, I discovered that most of my significant outcomes came from just three types of activities. By prioritizing these and reducing or eliminating the rest, my productivity soared while my working hours actually decreased.

What would happen if you identified the vital few in your life and dedicated most of your resources to them?

The Creating Buffers habit acknowledges a fundamental truth: things almost always take longer than we expect. By adding 50% more time to your estimated task durations, you build in protection against the inevitable delays and complications that arise.

This practice stands in stark contrast to our tendency to schedule everything back-to-back. Without buffers, a single delay creates a domino effect, throwing off your entire day and generating unnecessary stress.

“The shorter way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time.” – Mozart

I’ve found that adding buffers between meetings gives me time to process information, prepare for the next engagement, and occasionally catch my breath. This small change has dramatically reduced my daily stress levels while improving the quality of my work.

When was the last time you finished everything on your to-do list with time to spare? If you can’t remember, your estimations likely need the buffer habit.

Designing Routines transforms essential activities from decisions into habits, freeing mental energy for more important matters. Decision fatigue—the deterioration of decision quality after making many decisions—is a real phenomenon that undermines productivity.

By establishing automatic processes for your essential activities, you bypass the need for constant decision-making. Your morning routine, work processes, and even social interactions can benefit from thoughtful systematization.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

I’ve created routines for my most productive hours, ensuring that I tackle creative work when my mind is freshest. This simple change eliminated the daily debate about what to work on first, conserving mental energy for the work itself.

Which parts of your day or week could benefit from a well-designed routine?

The Graceful No might be the most challenging habit for many of us. Saying no firmly but respectfully protects your highest priorities without burning bridges. This skill is essential because every yes to something unimportant is an implicit no to something vital.

A graceful no isn’t rude or abrupt. It acknowledges the request’s value while clearly declining. It might offer an alternative or explanation, but it doesn’t apologize excessively or leave room for misinterpretation.

“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas.” – Steve Jobs

Learning to say no gracefully has been transformative for my work and relationships. By declining non-essential requests, I’ve created space for exceptional contribution in areas that truly matter to me.

What request should you be saying no to right now?

To apply these habits effectively, start by evaluating your current commitments. Which ones pass the 90% test? Which fall into your vital few? Be honest about what deserves to stay and what needs to go.

Next, list your three most impactful activities—the ones that contribute most to your success and fulfillment. Commit to prioritizing these above all else, even when other opportunities arise.

Build time margins between your appointments and tasks. Stop scheduling meetings back-to-back. Give yourself the gift of buffer time to think, adjust, and breathe.

Create morning rituals that support your priorities. The first hour of your day sets the tone for everything that follows. Design this time intentionally rather than reactively.

Prepare polite refusal scripts for non-essential requests. Having these ready makes it easier to say no in the moment, when pressure and social expectations are highest.

“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” – Stephen Covey

The essence of Essentialism isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done. It’s about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy to operate at your highest point of contribution.

Have you considered what your highest point of contribution might be? What work makes you come alive while delivering exceptional value to others?

The path of the Essentialist isn’t always easy. Our culture celebrates busyness and equates it with importance. Choosing to do less—but better—often means swimming against the current. It requires courage to eliminate the non-essential, especially when those around you continue to pursue everything.

Yet the rewards are profound. By focusing on what truly matters, you create space for exceptional work, meaningful relationships, and personal growth. You replace the stressed, overwhelmed existence of the non-Essentialist with the purposeful, impactful life of someone who knows exactly what matters—and what doesn’t.

“Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done.” – Greg McKeown

The five habits we’ve explored—applying the 90% Rule, focusing on the vital few, creating buffers, designing routines, and practicing the graceful no—provide a practical framework for this philosophical shift. They help translate the abstract concept of “less but better” into concrete daily actions.

As you implement these practices, remember that Essentialism isn’t a one-time exercise but a continuous process of evaluation and elimination. Your priorities will shift. New opportunities will emerge. The key is maintaining the discipline to choose deliberately rather than defaulting to yes.

What one non-essential activity could you eliminate today to create space for something truly important?

The question isn’t whether you have enough time—we all have exactly the same amount. The question is how you choose to fill that time. Will you spread yourself thin across countless mediocre activities? Or will you focus your energy on a few exceptional ones?

The choice is yours, and it’s one that you make every single day. Choose wisely.