Clearing away the clutter // My review of “Essentialism”

Reading Time: 2 minutes

essentialismTo 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.

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Written by Paul Jenkins
Paul Jenkins is lead pastor of The Gathering, a community church located in beautiful downtown Albemarle, North Carolina. He's the author of God is My Air Traffic Controller and My Name's Not Lou. Paul is passionate about his wife, his 3 children, running, reading, coaching, leading people who are following Jesus, Swedish Fish and the Carolina Panthers.