Giveaway: Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Every Friday is giveaway day. Comment to win!
I enjoyed reading Essentialism, a new book by Greg McKeown.
Personally I’m not much of a minimalist (except when it comes to travel gear). In fact, I’ve even joked that I’m a maximalist—I want to do it all! Even so, this book challenged me and improved my life.
What you need to know:
- This book offers great lessons in how to get the right things done (rather than how to get everything done)
- This giveaway is global. We’ll ship a copy anywhere!
- Our cats and biased judges will pick someone on Sunday night at 6pm PST
Enter this week’s giveaway below, then check back on Sunday night. We’ll announce the winner and send them the prize!
(And if you don’t win, consider picking it up from Amazon or your favorite local bookstore.)
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Update: Comments are now closed. Congrats to Leah Gonzalez, selected by cats and a random number generator to win this great bag! Everyone else, thanks for entering. We’ll have another giveaway next week.
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225 Comments
sounds interesting, enter me please
I would really like to read this book. btw I love your $100 Start Up, lots of inspiration. wish there will be a next one. thanks Chris
Thanks for the recommendation.
I could sure use some improving.
Like you, I want to do it all, but the essentialist lets me choose what I want. I’d love a copy of this book.
Sounds great!
Love the idea of essentialism as opposed to minimalism
Sounds like an interesting read
Sounds like a good read.
Count me in!
Ditto!
Some of my favourite quotes on simplicity:
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” ~ Albert Einstein
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci
“Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
“You can do anything, but not everything.” ~ David Allen
“Most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment: Is this necessary?” ~ Marcus Aurelius
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Really enjoy your updated site! thank you.
sounds good; pick me, please!
This sounds like an awesome book!
Like Chris, I’m more of a minimalist when traveling, but if I could tap into something that can bring my mind down to the required human speed limit, I’d greatly appreciate it.
I’m just discovering this whole minimalism thing, so why not?
Happy 4th of July!!!!!!! What a great country!!!!!!
Crossing my fingers.
I’m always struck by that itchy feeling that we should scale down, prune away, and simplify things to reach that crucial understanding of what is actually “essential”, yet we allow ourselves to be bombarded with messages that tell us that we need more and can do more. I’d be interested to discover this author’s perspective on a better way to live. 🙂
The least amount of steps in achieving great results – I’m in!
I want one!
Please enter me – Thanks
Book looks great, sign me up.
What’s this? A free book, Count me in.
I love that you are posting everyday! Look forward to it always.
Am interested in any book that helps me get shit done! Getting the “right” shit done? Even better
Sounds interesting! Would love a copy…
I could use some help being more productive and filtering out the “noise”. Please put me in the drawing!
just give me the book.
Always love to learn new things and this is something I’ve been giving much thought to. Please enter me!
Thanks Chris
Essentially, I would like to win 🙂
Without being aware that it had a name, I have been trending, or trying to, toward essentialism for a while now. Sounds like Mr. McKeown could sharpen my thinking. Enter me, please. Thanks.
D
I can always use another tome to help me get rid of the useless around me – and help me focus on some good work.
Thanks for the Recc
I would love to read a book with a title I can barely pronounce! Pick me!
Cool. Sounds good. Please enter me in the contest! 🙂
Sounds good!
I’d like to read this book.
Month 3 of playing the minimalist game-every month stuff goes to Goodwill. The next dump box appears within days of the last carry-off and fills quickly. Amazing, theraputic and freeing. Inspiration information, please! and thanks. Happy 4th!
Hi Chris! I’d definitely like a copy of this..enter me please!
Meow… (translation… I’ve heard great things about this book!)
“the disciplined pursuit of less”…..but another book to add to my ever-growing library! Love the irony – appeals to my sense of humour so even if i don’t win it, I’ll peruse it whilst having a coffee at my local bookstore thus making the coffees in this bookstore probably the most expensive coffees ever!
I’ve been reading Greg McKeown’s posts on linkedin, and they have whetted my appetite to read the book. It seems to be full of valuable insights!
I looked through this book in a store, and now am reminded I must get this! It is a serious matter that I am wasting time on non essentials….thanks!
Since I’m an University student in Milan and I’m a girl, i had never though I’d love to be a minimalist. Being surrounded by useless stuff that not only wastes my space but even my time made me take a decision. I need to know what I’d bring with me if I suddenly decide to leave everything and go living in a island.
Please, let me in!
Yes, the book sounds great – count me in!
I love this!
Looking forward to reading (and hopefully winning) this book. I believe it would help me take my copywriting biz and my life to the next level.
YOLO!! This needs to become popular again. 😉
I feel like I can’t be a full-on minimalist, so I’m really interested in this. 🙂
Yes! Life inspiring,
People often think that changing your life lies in the BIG moments, the obvious moments — the day you enroll in college, the day you graduate, the day you leave for a big trip, the day you get married, ext ext. But the truth is, life-change lies in the little moment to moment decisions you make. It’s been a goal of my life to stop with all the unnecessary and focus only on the things that make my heart burst. It isn’t possible. Let’s be clear on that. But just having that value has helped a lot. When I’m making decisions — I base everything on my values and I go back to Choose the Adventure, Choose People, and Choose the Path that Scares you MOST. I’d love to read this book and whether I win or not, I probably will. I hardly ever win anything and one time I won your book the $100 start-up so what the hell? Maybe I will again. Either way, thanks for your writing Chris. You change peoples lives. Most of the time I go on a deleting spree but you are one of 4 e-mails I never delete, even when I don’t have time to read them for a week or two. I always go back and do so. Cheers!
Thank you for sharing this book and the opportunity to receive a copy.
It’s essential that I have this book. Thanks, Chris! Love the new website.
Sounds like a really interesting book!
Enter me, pick me, thanks you.
Like the $100 Startup, can’t wait to read this new book.. Pick me! Please.. please.. please.. Much thanks! 🙂
How fun! I’m game. Count me in! =)
I loved reading The $100 Startup and subsequently devoured your recommended book, The Referral Engine. Both have impacted my business in monumental ways! I would sooo delighted to read anything else that you recommend & I want to win this book!
Will definitely be adding this to my reading list.
I’m intrigued by the growing minimalism movement. I can’t read enough!
Details & mindless-clutter is everywhere in our lives, house, car, etc. I need to read this book! It would probably get added to my to-do pile & get lost but that’s another story.
I always love book recommendations! Would love to read this!
Sounds….essential! Can’t wait to read it! Pick mepickmepickme!
Heather
ps Happy 4th!
I’ve tried to be amino making several times in my life. Every time I tried, I somehow generated a mindset of need, thus making myself believe I need MOre. When I stopped trying, the things that weren’t essential fell away. I want this book especially now because i just quit a job and right now it’s most relevant. I’m rethinking it all. Thank you for considering me.
*tried to be a minimalist.
I’d definitely like to give this book a read!
That’s exactly what I need to maximize! Minimalization!
Thank you, Chris.
Seems like an interesting and useful read!
I’m not at all a minimalist but I could sure use some help!
Enter me please!
“Getting the *Right* Things Done” sounds like a much better plan. Thanks for pointing out this resource!
I’d love to get a copy!
Hi Chris,
I’m loving the new daily blogging style you’re doing. Keep up the inspiring posts! Loving it!
I would love to win this!
Looks interesting.
Happy Fourth of July!! 🙂
I’m glad to hear about this book, as I’m always seeking to minimize my footprint, but am often spreading myself too thin. I end up volunteering instead of making money, and not finding the way to travel as you do, Chris. Thank you so much for your blogs and resources on your website! I find them very useful to begin to find the way to do what I love.
Sounds like a good read!
I’m a bit of a hoarder, but my ultimate survival kit would include a few books of poetry, notebooks and writing instruments, as I know these would be needed for my sanity. Feed the soul first.
I am simplifying all parts of my life in small steps and it feels amazing but I still can’t stop building more book shelves. I think that is a good thing!
Yes!! Work on the 20% that gets you 80% of the results!!
Chris, thank you so so much for all you share with us all—
I would LOVE to win this book, it sounds so great–I’ve traveled
with a carry on my whole traveling life and I still find I take way to
much,so yes, would love to learn new things.
thank you so much—HH
We’re all about learning how to live more intentionally. We love how the term “essentialism” puts a more positive spin on minimalism.
Injecting cats into any decision proves interesting…
Thanks for the recommendation!
10 out of 10 socialites disapprove of this book. Luckily I’m not a socialite, and this book looks fantastic.
Hey chris, what do you do when the law and legality become obstacles between you and your goals?
Have you ever had to hire a lawyer or defend yourself in a legal dispute?
Also enter me in for the giveaway 🙂
Thanks
I’ve spent a life time both trying to focus and do it all……..and I feel like I haven’t moved an inch! I really need some help in this department to move forward in the right direction without wasting my time and losing my SELF!
Well Chris this comes from the south westen corner of England! I hit 44 next a week today and in the process of re-aligning projects and priorities to plan the next 44 years! Guessing the book might be a cool tool to help my on my way!
Hope I can learn less than I already know with the help of this book. (So to speak)
Book sounds interesting, I’d love to give it a try!
This is the kind of book I could really use right now. I use a productivity app called todoist, which works really well except for the fact that I have 50 items on it most days with about half marked as Priority 1. If I could cut out the time wasters and simplify daily routines, I would have a lot more time for the people and things that are most important to me. Sounds like a timely book!
Chris, love the New newsletter and website! Thanks 🙂
Hi from India! I love books. 😀 Free ones even more so.
Spent the last few years trying to do things “the right way.” Getting the job, getting the house, buying stuff. My way, sort of. But still validated it is not for me.
Now trying to undo it. The problem with carefully selecting eclectic, unusual things you love is it’s hard to let them go and decide which ones to keep. Help.
And careerwise I need to get clarity too; since “the job” will be the first and least regretted thing to go. ;->
Sounds like good reading for vacation.
So easy to get caught up in the unnecessary stuff…let’s focus. Looking forward to reading this one!
This sounds like it would be a great book to read, thanks for all of your great articles! I like the new layout.
Having recently moved to a city that doesn’t offer a lot of extra space (sf) I’d be curious to hear more about this concept.
Looking forward to reading it!
If this is a book about working smarter and not harder, then count me in. I’m learning and growing more each day about this concept, Chris, and a book like this could just add more active information into my growth spurt. Can a nearly 50-year-old man have a growth spurt? Hell yeah! Thanks.
I can really use this lesson, “…how to get the right things done (rather than how to get everything done)”.
Heard a lot of good stuff about this book. Sign me up!
I used to be a better minimalist. I could use some inspiration to get back in the habit. Who doesn’t need to slow down and simplify their life? I’d really appreciate carting around less stuff for my next move (3rd this year!)
I’ve been thinking of getting this book and would love to get it for free! 🙂 Thanks for your work!
Sounds great. Would love to check this book out. Thanks for inspiring all of us with your “lifestyle reboot” Chris!
Cheers!
I have heard great things about this book & would love to win it! 🙂
Thanks for all you do!! I’m learning a lot!
Just the kind of lessons I need to learn!
I enjoy your writing, Chris, both on the blog and in your books. Keep up the good work!
Nice site, Chris! Thanks for sharing your travels and history here. It’s inspiring :). Keep writing.
I love reading your posts, Chris, and loved your book, too. Always looking for new motivational books to read that come recommended by my favorite authors/writers! Would love to get a chance to read this one, too. 🙂
This sounds right up my alley. Getting the right things done is often my problem – there are just so very many things that are on my to-do list!
Hi Chris,
I got distracted by your newsletter to enter for this promising book. I hope I made the right priority:)
Enter me 🙂 Thank you!
Often find myself listing ALL the problems I need to work on… maybe this one would help me narrow the list to the most fundamental issues to attack that will effect the biggest change.
I’d love to read this! Pick me!
Sounds like a great read!!
last night after seeing a firework show, my husband and I were a bit hungry so we decided to grab the best damn veggie burger in town, and sit on the patio. There was a perfect breeze and the waiter was kind enough to split the burger into two for us. This place also has earth shattering seasoned fries and I said to myself, “If there are no fries like this in heaven, I’m not interested in going!” That thought related to what is essential in my life and I would love to read up on someone else’s essential take 🙂
Happy Forth……
Thanks
I know I can always learn more and this book sounds great. Love that you ship anywhere 🙂
I am excited to check out another inspiring book! Thanks for sharing and for holding this contest 🙂
Maybe this book will help me with the urge to start and finish everything…all at once. Seems like an interesting read.
Please enter my email into the book giveaway, thankyou!!
I love this idea of essentialism! What is essential for each of us differs and yet there are commonalities and the idea that I can weed my life to a hybrid of essentials is motivating!
Yes! Much needed book…
I need this book. My life is a mess right now! Thanks for the generous giveaway. 🙂
If you’re happy to ship to Glasgow, Scotland I could read this while I hide from the masses during the Commonwealth Games!
Chris I am so glad you are posting daily now. I know it is lots more work for you but thanks for the effort. Also great link on the 7 hour train ride movie. This is brilliant! I wish ALL airlines would do this, regardless of length of flight.
It’s essential I win a copy?
I go back and forth between wanting to cut down and also wanting the latest gadgets. Plus with 3 teens, its more of a challenge to cut down. I’d love to expand on the possibilities though.
Peace,
Sue
I’m all about simplifying at the moment. Sign me up!
I never enter to win, but things don’t change until I do. So….
Sounds intriguing…Thanks for sharing this with all of us.
The book sounds good.
I am trying to be as minimalist as I can because the less stuff I own the easier it is to manage my life.
Very keen and would love to know more.
I just watched the video “F**K the Poor” and like Chris Guillebeau said, I had to watch it several times. It’s an interesting part of human nature that if you have to say something shocking to get attention for the most noble causes. For me the lesson is to always look beyond the shock value to the core of the issue, movement, etc.
Hi Chris – If you say its good, count me in!
Thanks
Hi from Belgium, my little corner of the world. I’m trying my luck to win this book !
I enter because how other-worldly would it be for me to win a real cool book just like that
I’m not sure that getting a free copy of a book and therefore having to read it is actually “essential” right now, so this is NOT an entry for the giveaway. If I finish other books I’m already reading, I might look it up in the library.
Sign me up please!
Thanks for the chance to won this book.
As always Chris your ability to heighten the level of intrigue has me curious, i think i have to have this as well.
Awesome! Count me in! 🙂
This appears to be a tremendous and very beneficial book to read. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you.
The name of the book makes me want to read it! Love that concept.
Happy 4th! As a single mom of four kids…how to focus on the essential and prioritize is a daily challenge. I look forward to reading your book.
I am in the process of simplifying my life. The ‘more’ info the better. 🙂
Sounds like a great book!
I too suffer from FOMO…would love have skills to combats this affinity 🙂 happy 4th and independence to all!
Greetings mate from Land Down Under!!! This is where your blog Chris can get, as far as Australia! Your writings are such an inspiration. I hope I could have a free book to Essentialism. Cheers mate!
I’d love to read about Essentialism! I’ve read quite a bit about clutter clearing, organisation and simplicity, so this sounds fascinating.
Can’t wait to win, so I can start reading another recommendation from Chris
This is where we should all be headed today .
Much better to , read ,think and do something with the info here .
Use it or not here it is for us .
I’m rolling my eyes, but please enter me anyway.
I could definitely use some help on getting the *right* things done (instead of anything done or some things done). Please enter me in the giveaway.
Sounds interesting
Hey, random cat – meow!
Perfect timing. Just today I wondered how I got stuck in the weeds at work, again, and how I can learn to focus on the important stuff.
I always aspire to keep things minimal in order to have more mental and physical space to be creative. Making this more intentional is always helpful. Please enter me. Thank you thank you
i enjoy reading your post and there’s always a good advice to follow. and of course, a contest to join in too. thanks for the chance. keep up the good work
I have so many ideas, yet no idea what to actually get done, so I just end up creating more ideas. It’s amazing that once again books can answer your problem.
I saw this book at the airport about a month ago and was so tempted to buy it but needed to catch my flight – so when I saw this book on your blog, I felt like I’m meant to read it! Even if I don’t win the book from you, I will be buying it in the near future
Just started getting into the read every day habit and it’s been wonderful. It was embarrassing to admit for the first time that I couldn’t remember the last time I finished reading an entire book…
I created a list of 14 books and asked my readers to recommend their favorites. My list should be about 40+ books now but it’s worth it. Starting off with James Altucher’s Choose Yourself and just reading alone makes me come up with new ideas left and right (and that’s before the “How to come up with ideas” section!)
Hope I win the book, Chris. Minimalism would be a great subject and I don’t currently have any books on that subject in my list. 🙂
Vincent
Please count me in!
I hope the cat picks me!
Sometimes maximalism is overwhelming, which is why I need this book! Loving the new site design by the way 🙂
O.K, so I am the perfect candidate for this book. I am a list maker, I fret about getting stuff done and thus I make the lists. I even got to the point of dividing the lists into 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 minute areas, so I could break the jobs down into – what needs doing and how many minutes do I have. The irony of course – how much do you achieve when you are so busy categorising the lists………………………………… HELP ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! I love giveaways. It would be amazing to learn about essentialism. Count me in!
I would love to read the new book.
Looks interesting. Please sign me up.
Just checked out a description of “Essentialism”, the book. Getting into that concept and applying it would be a welcome change in my life. Thanks for the offer! Here’s hoping I win this week’s giveaway!
Sounds like a good read! Look forward to learning more.
Count me in. I’ve been an aspiring minimalist for the last two years.
Sounds interesting 🙂
Worth a shot, right? Here goes.
Oooh yes please!!!
I’m starting another new venture in town, would love to learn form this book how to avoid common mistakes!
Its’ very essentialism that I win this!
Already read the Kindle sample a week or so back. Wouldn’t mind a free copy.
Would really love to read this book.
I need the guidance. Count me in please.
fascinating book.
an idea to ponder.
sort of like haiku.
Send it on over! Would love take a gander.
One copy to me please….. After reading, I will pass on it to another reader….
I would love to win!
I need this book! In less than one week, my husband and I will be moving into a 12×14 cabin! As I prepare to make the move, I am struggling at times to determine what is truly essential.
I’m in 🙂
This book is just what I need right now. Please pick me!!
You even ship to Peru ? 😉
But seriously, nice book, thanks for the suggestion.
Have a wonderful day!
Sounds good, I’m in!
This book sounds great! I’ve been reading Everything That Remains by Joshua Fields Miklburn, which is about his journey to embracing minimalism, and I would really love to learn more about minimalism! It has so many great principles to live by and I definitely think I could embrace more of those principles.
😉
Intriguing. This is, I think, one of those books that looks simple enough yet has the depth to really guide you to what really matters not only for you but also how you matter with those who you interact with…..I’m eager to leaf through its pages!
While I feel I am pretty organized, like Chris, I do not feel like a minimalist, but, I can always use tips on how to do what needs to be done and not do everything.
I love the idea of my house looking minimalist and my life being a maximist!
I would be honored at a chance to win your newest book.
Thanks!
Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
I’m all poised ready to purchase this, but thought I’d enter the giveaway first!
Well, you never know 🙂
This book sounds great. I’d be delighted if you would pick me.
I would truly love to read this book! I sincerely hope that I am chosen to receive this! I firmly believe in balancing our lives using minimalist principles and would love to learn about more concepts.
Sounds fantastic, count me in!
A fellow maximalist here, who enjoys details and believes (in many cases) they ARE worthy of attention and important. I am interested in identifying what is most important (to me) and tending to the details of accomplishing those specific things. Turns out I am not able to make it to WDS and missed the deadline for transferring my ticket. Would be great to win this giveaway instead (even though it probably isn’t an even tradeoff for attending WDS). Good luck to all!
Can’t wait!
This book sounds like exactly what I need in my life right now. I’m adding it to my reading list. I’m sure the cats and biased judges will do a good job in making their selection, as always. 🙂
I love reading these types of books.
I too am always doing too many things at once. It would be great to get some more tips on picking out the most important tasks towards reaching fulfillment of your goals or dreams or whatever it is you are hoping to accomplish. Today we are expected to multitask but in my experience you end up doing a lot but nothing really well. Focusing on what is the most important and letting go of the rest is challenging.
reviews I’ve read of this book make me think of the Quaker tradition of simplicity. I’d be interested to read it and see how the ideas compare.
I’ve been hearing a lot about this book and would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity!
I really want to read every book! I guess I’ll have to read this one to figure out which books are essential.
Please Send book to me
it will help me
i dearly need this book.may i win pls
Presumably the title is not only a description but an example and a demonstration.
cutting out the stuff.
the unimportant dribble.
and still,
i fall into it.
I’d love to read this book, another perspective. Thank you!
The challenges I thrive on!
Hi Chris,
Cool giveaway! I’ve mentioned ‘Essentialism’ in one of my blog posts a while ago, would be great to receive a copy and find out for real that Greg nails it in his book :-).
Love your blog too, by the way: keep it up!
This reminds me of one of the primary tenets of software design: “Every module should do one thing well.”
I’ve wondered if it applies to people: “Every person should do one thing well.”
Is that Greg’s Essentialism? Do one thing well and ignore the rest?
Pick me so I can find out!
Thanks!
Would love to win the book. Thanks!
I’ve had my eye on this book for a while. Hope to check it out whether I win or not!
I would love to read the this book!
Sounds like a great read. We’re in the early days of a startup business and some guidance on this topic would be great!
I would love to win & read this book. Thanks for the contest.
It is serendipitous that this weeks AONC give-a-way is the book Essentialism, because I have a $100 Startup idea that came to me after reading Essentialism. Since I already own the book, if I am gifted with the book, I will give it to my niece. I’ll let you know if my $100 Startup/Essentialism idea bears fruit.
Just what I need to read before and/or after WDS!
Sounds interesting. Ironic that I’d have to get a something, to learn to live with less. 😉
Yes, would love a copy.
I’d like to read this book then give it to a friend who’s selling her stuff and moving to New Zealand with not much more than her back pack and bicycle.
Sounds like a great book.
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