VollisEffortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most by Greg McKeown is a self-help book that promises to help readers achieve more with less effort. McKeown, who also wrote the New York Times bestseller Essentialism, believes that most people are working harder than they need to, and that the key to success is not to work harder, but to work smarter. In this book, he provides readers with a framework for making things effortless, by focusing on what really matters, eliminating unnecessary tasks, and simplifying everything else.
In his trademark witty and engaging style, McKeown draws on his own experiences as a consultant and coach, as well as on research in psychology, neuroscience, and productivity, to explain why our natural tendency is to make things harder than they need to be. He then offers a four-step process for making things effortless:
Step 1: Define What Matters
The first step to making things effortless, according to McKeown, is to define what really matters. This means identifying your core values, your top priorities, and the things that bring you the most joy and fulfillment. By focusing on these things, and eliminating everything else, you can reduce the amount of effort you need to expend, while still achieving your goals.
Step 2: Eliminate the Non-Essential
The second step is to eliminate everything that is not essential to your goals. This means saying no to distractions, interruptions, and unnecessary tasks, and focusing only on the things that really matter. By doing this, you can free up more time and energy to focus on what really matters, and make the most of your efforts.
Step 3: Create Effortless Systems
The third step is to create systems and processes that make the task effortless. This could mean automating certain tasks, simplifying workflows, or delegating responsibilities to others. By creating systems that reduce friction and make the task easier to accomplish, you increase your chances of success and reduce the amount of effort required.
Step 4: Refine and Repeat
The final step is to refine your systems and processes based on feedback and results. This means evaluating your progress, identifying areas for improvement, and making adjustments as necessary. By continually refining your systems, you can make the task even more effortless over time.
The book is structured in two parts. The first part lays out the groundwork for effortless action by introducing the reader to the concept of “flow” – a state of mind where we are fully immersed in an activity and lose track of time. McKeown explains how we can create a flow state by reducing the friction that stands between us and the task at hand. This means removing any unnecessary steps, distractions, or mental barriers that prevent us from getting started.
In the second part of the book, McKeown presents practical strategies to help readers make their tasks effortless. He introduces the concept of “batching” – grouping similar tasks together and doing them all at once, to save time and mental energy. He also discusses the importance of rest and recovery, emphasizing that taking breaks can actually make us more productive in the long run.
The effortless state
One of the most interesting concepts in the book is the idea of “the effortless state.” McKeown argues that when we are in this state, we are able to accomplish more with less effort. He describes how we can achieve this state by focusing on our strengths and delegating tasks that we are not good at. He also advises readers to say “no” more often, so they can focus on the tasks that truly matter.
Overall, Effortless is an excellent book that will help readers achieve their goals with less stress and more ease. McKeown’s writing is clear and engaging, and he offers many real-life examples and case studies to illustrate his points. The book is also filled with practical exercises and tips that readers can implement immediately.
