Books That Shaped Us: Lessons from Essentialism by Greg McKeown

We’re on episode 4 of 5 in our book series, and this week we’re diving into Essentialism by Greg McKeown.This book is all about cutting through the noise and getting clear on what’s actually ESSENTIAL and worth your time and energy.In this episode, we talk through the books three core parts and how they actually show up in real life:ExploreFiguring out what you should actually be spending your time on. When everything feels important, nothing is and it’s hard to know what to prioritize. We talk about how hard that is when you’re in it, and why stepping away can help you see it more clearly.EliminateSaying no, cutting things out, and resisting the instinct to just keep adding more. We talk about the idea that better doesn’t come from adding, it comes from subtracting, and how learning to do that well can completely change how you work and live.ExecuteEven when you know where you want to spend your time, it’s easy to fall back into old patterns. This part is about actually protecting your time and energy so the right things get done. We get into the idea of building in buffer and not packing your schedule so tightly that everything feels rushed or reactive.We also talk about how to say no (and why people often respect you more for it), and how success can create more noise and busyness instead of more clarity and meaningful progress.We love anything that helps people live more intentionally, and this book ABSOLUTELY delivers on that.Enjoy this conversation on Essentialism.EPISODE LINKS & REFERENCESBook Featured in This EpisodeEssentialism by Greg McKeown We’d love to connect with you. Here’s where to find us: Vienna Waits WebsiteSubscribe to Vienna Five NewsletterUNBLOCK Yourself™ ProgramCorporate ProgrammingWaypoint RetreatVienna Waits on InstagramGreg’s LinkedIn Whitney’s LinkedIn On this podcast, we explore what it means to get UNBLOCKED.You’ll hear stories about finding clarity, navigating career pivots, and choosing to live with intention. Sometimes that’s through conversations with guests who made bold moves and changed direction. Other times it’s just the two of us unpacking the books, ideas, and lessons shaping our own journey.We’re not experts looking down from a stage. We’re in it too. Building, questioning, adjusting, and trying to create lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional.