To be honest, I was expecting much when I agreed to read “Essentialism” for free in exchange for a review.  The title got my attention because I’m very curious about minimalism and pursuing more of a minimalistic lifestyle.  Maybe it’s just the ever-encroaching “stuff” that naturally happens in a family of 5, but I have found myself with a growing urge to pile most of what we own in the backyard and throw a match on it.  Not so much because I hate having stuff, but because I hate the feeling that the stuff has me.

So asking the questions, “What matters most?” and “What’s most essential in my life right now?” are right down my alley, and I expected to get some good tips on how to strip away the non-essentials without needing to get a burn permit from the city.

What I wasn’t expecting was to find myself soaking up so much wisdom on how Essentialism can make me a better leader, as well.  The author, Greg McKeown, does an amazing job of sprinkling short, easy-to-remember sayings with powerful stories from the business world as well as personal life, and when it was all said and done, I couldn’t believe how many times tears snuck up on me while reading it.  Living lives of significance is something we all crave and yearn for, and Essentialism did a fantastic job of clearing away the clutter so that I could be reminded again of what matters most for me: faith and family.

I have no doubt that this book will help you find the same focus.  5 stars!!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.