The Power Of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting ... - Goodreads

The Power of Less demonstrates how to streamline your life by identifying the essential and eliminating the unnecessary freeing you from everyday clutter and ... Goodreadshelpsyoukeeptrackofbooksyouwanttoread. Startbymarking“ThePowerOfLess:TheFineArtofLimitingYourselftotheEssential”asWanttoRead: WanttoRead saving… WanttoRead CurrentlyReading Read Othereditions Enlargecover WanttoRead saving… Errorratingbook.Refreshandtryagain. Ratethisbook Clearrating 1of5stars2of5stars3of5stars4of5stars5of5stars OpenPreview SeeaProblem? We’dloveyourhelp. Letusknowwhat’swrongwiththispreviewof ThePowerOfLessbyLeoBabauta. Problem: It’sthewrongbook It’sthewrongedition Other Details(ifother):   Cancel Thanksfortellingusabouttheproblem. ReturntoBookPage Notthebookyou’relookingfor? Preview—ThePowerOfLess byLeoBabauta ThePowerOfLess:TheFineArtofLimitingYourselftotheEssential by LeoBabauta 3.72  ·  Ratingdetails ·  9,908 ratings  ·  752 reviews Withthecountlessdistractionsthatcomefromeverycornerofamodernlife,it'samazingthatwereeverabletoaccomplishanything.ThePowerofLessdemonstrateshowtostreamlineyourlifebyidentifyingtheessentialandeliminatingtheunnecessaryfreeingyoufromeverydayclutterandallowingyoutofocusonaccomplishingthegoalsthatcanchangeyourlifeforthe Withthecountlessdistractionsthatcomefromeverycornerofamodernlife,it'samazingthatwereeverabletoaccomplishanything.ThePowerofLessdemonstrateshowtostreamlineyourlifebyidentifyingtheessentialandeliminatingtheunnecessaryfreeingyoufromeverydayclutterandallowingyoutofocusonaccomplishingthegoalsthatcanchangeyourlifeforthebetter.ThePowerofLesswillshowyouhowto:BreakanygoaldownintomanageabletasksFocusononlyafewtasksatatimeCreatenewandproductivehabitsHoneyourfocusIncreaseyourefficiencyBysettinglimitsforyourselfandmakingthemostoftheresourcesyoualreadyhave,youllfinallybeableworkless,worksmarter,andfocusonlivingthelifethatyoudeserve. ...more GetACopy KindleStore $9.99 AmazonStores ▾AudibleBarnes&NobleWalmarteBooksAppleBooksGooglePlayAbebooksBookDepositoryAlibrisIndigoBetterWorldBooksIndieBoundThriftbooksLibraries Hardcover,170pages Published January1st2009 byHachetteBooks (firstpublished2008) MoreDetails... OriginalTitle ThePowerofLess:TheFineArtofLimitingYourselftotheEssential ISBN 1401309704 (ISBN13:9781401309701) EditionLanguage English OtherEditions(47) AllEditions | AddaNewEdition | Combine ...LessDetail EditDetails FriendReviews Toseewhatyourfriendsthoughtofthisbook, pleasesignup. ReaderQ&A Toaskotherreadersquestionsabout ThePowerOfLess, pleasesignup. BethefirsttoaskaquestionaboutThePowerOfLess ListswithThisBook MotivationalandSelf-ImprovementBooks 2,331books — 2,805voters BestBooksThatGrowYou 1,033books — 619voters Morelistswiththisbook... CommunityReviews Showing1-30 Averagerating 3.72  ·  Ratingdetails  ·  9,908 ratings  ·  752 reviews AllLanguagesDeutsch‎(1) English‎(686) Español‎(5) Français‎(3) Italiano‎(1) Lietuviųkalba‎(1) Nederlands‎(3) Polski‎(1) Português‎(2) Pусскийязык‎(1) Română‎(6) Slovenčina‎(1) TiếngViệt‎(1) česky,čeština‎(1) العربية‎(1) فارسی‎(7) ไทย‎(8) Morefilters  |  Sortorder StartyourreviewofThePowerOfLess:TheFineArtofLimitingYourselftotheEssentialWriteareview Sep25,2011 Sharon ratedit itwasamazing Recommendsitfor: Everyone Shelves: nonfiction Thisbookcanchangeyourlife.ItdidminebeforeIwasfinishedreadingit,andthatwastotallyunexpectedbyme.Ithoughtthebookwasaboutparingdownthematerialthingsinlife,butit'sonlymarginallyaboutthat.It'saboutfindingwhat'simportantandessentialinyourlifeandgettingbackcontrolandpersonaltimetodothethingsyoulove.Thebookiseasytoreadandcouldbeafastread,butIsuggestyoutakeyourtime.Tryoutsomeofthesuggestions.Theywork!Theconceptsi Thisbookcanchangeyourlife.ItdidminebeforeIwasfinishedreadingit,andthatwastotallyunexpectedbyme.Ithoughtthebookwasaboutparingdownthematerialthingsinlife,butit'sonlymarginallyaboutthat.It'saboutfindingwhat'simportantandessentialinyourlifeandgettingbackcontrolandpersonaltimetodothethingsyoulove.Thebookiseasytoreadandcouldbeafastread,butIsuggestyoutakeyourtime.Tryoutsomeofthesuggestions.Theywork!Theconceptsinthebookcanpertaintoalmostanythinginyourlife--it'sreallythatversatile.Thisauthorhashisprioritiesrightandwantstohelpallofusgetthemright.Applywhatyoulearnheretoyourlife,work,health,weight,addictions,justaboutanything,andyoucanbegintodaytomakechangesthatwillproduceahappier,moreproductiveyou.Andit'snothard.Babysteps.Easy,easy.Everyoneshouldreadthisbook--everypersonwhoisn'talreadyonMr.Babauta'splanorplansformakingchangesthatwillchangelives.Ifyou'restressed,havetoomuchonyourplate,neverhavetimetorelaxanddothingsyou'repassionateabout,readthis.Ifyouwanttomakechangesinalmostanyareaofyourlife,readthisbook.Everythingaboutthisbookisdoableandwillworkifyouwilljustdoit.Ifyougiveupeasy,wellthere'sachapteronthattoo.Thebookmakesanexcellentgift,butkeepacopyforyourselftorefertooverandover.It'sakeeper. ...more flag 45likes · Like  · seereview View1comment Mar20,2013 AnnaBearne ratedit likedit Ihavesomeproblemswiththisbook.Thegeneralprinciplesseemprettystraightforward,butasyoureaddeeperintoit,youbecomeconfused.'Pickone...','pickfive...','makealistofthree...','justoneatthetime','singletask-whenyoushoweringordrivingdon'tthinkaboutanythingelse',vs.'useyourdrivingtimetothinkabout...','writedown'vs.'gopaperless'etc.It'sallsimpleanduseful,butforabookonsettinglimitations,itcouldhaveamuchsimplerhierarchyofthin Ihavesomeproblemswiththisbook.Thegeneralprinciplesseemprettystraightforward,butasyoureaddeeperintoit,youbecomeconfused.'Pickone...','pickfive...','makealistofthree...','justoneatthetime','singletask-whenyoushoweringordrivingdon'tthinkaboutanythingelse',vs.'useyourdrivingtimetothinkabout...','writedown'vs.'gopaperless'etc.It'sallsimpleanduseful,butforabookonsettinglimitations,itcouldhaveamuchsimplerhierarchyofthings,soyoudon'tgetlostinwhat'saGoal,what'saTask,what'saHabitandwhat'saCommitment.Also,theexamplescouldbemorediverse-noteveryonehasacreativejoboranofficejob(oranyjobforthatmatter),noteveryonelivesinahouseoranindependenthousehold.Ofcoursethereadercanapplythetipstoherorhisownlife,butitwouldbeniceiftheauthorhimselfincludedsomeexamplesshowingadifferentlifestylethanhisown(insteadofrepeatinghimselfquiteafewtimes).Isharemyroomandmydeskwithmypartner,andwesharetherestofthehousewithanotherperson.ImaynotalwaysbeabletomakethechangesIwantinaspacethatdoesn'tbelongtome.Ofcoursethere'swaysaroundit,youcannegotiatewithyourpartnerorflatmates,andI'mprettysuretheauthorhadtomakesomecompromiseswithhiswifeandkids,buthejustdoesn'tmentionit.Thebooktendstooverlookotherpeople'sneedsandhabits,portrayingthemaseitherYOUR'qualitytime'partners,peoplethathelpYOUstaymotivated,peopleYOUreportto,orpeoplethatinterferewithYOURschedule-butnotasactivesubjectswiththeirownschedulesyouneedtorespectandsometimescooperatewith.Thatbeingsaid,Iwouldrecommendthisbookanyway,especiallyasaguidetosettingandpursuingimportantgoalsinlife.Ithelpstostopandthinkwhat'sreallyimportantandwhat'snotnecessary.Ijustwouldn'tsaythatit'sasimplerecipeforalifechangethatanyonecanachieve. ...more flag 34likes · Like  · seereview View2comments May18,2013 Josh addedit Shelves: read-4-closely, 3-grokked Therearetwotypesofpeopleinthisworld:thosewhodon'tlikereviewsthatstartbysortingpeopleintosimplifyingcategories,andthosewhodo.Goodbyetotheformer.Nowwe'releftwiththosewhoappreciatetheclarityandinsightprovidedbylightly-heldcategoriesandstereotypes.Andwemoveon.I'mnotsurewhothisbookisfor,orwhom.Bctherearethreetypesofpeopleinthiscrazy,crazyworldinwhichwelive,in.1.Thosewhoarenaturallystructuredand"haveittogether";2.Tho Therearetwotypesofpeopleinthisworld:thosewhodon'tlikereviewsthatstartbysortingpeopleintosimplifyingcategories,andthosewhodo.Goodbyetotheformer.Nowwe'releftwiththosewhoappreciatetheclarityandinsightprovidedbylightly-heldcategoriesandstereotypes.Andwemoveon.I'mnotsurewhothisbookisfor,orwhom.Bctherearethreetypesofpeopleinthiscrazy,crazyworldinwhichwelive,in.1.Thosewhoarenaturallystructuredand"haveittogether";2.Thosewhoarelabeledinelementaryschoolas"respondingwelltostructure",butthatturnsouttobeaeuphemismfordisorganizedandscattered;and3.Thosewhoactuallyrespondwelltostructure.-1'swon'treadthisbook,(althoughfranklytheycdbenefitfromtheholistic,Zen-likeapproachofthisguru)--sothebookisnotforthem.-2'sdon'tneedthisbookbctheywillnever"haveittogether",norshouldtheystriveforthat--sothebookisnotforthem.-3'shavedevelopedawaytoforceexternalstructureonthemselves(whichtheycanrespondto),andsowillwritethenextinstantiationofthisbook--soit'snotforthem.Whichleavesnobodyforthebook.Exceptmaybetheotherhalfof3's(bctherearetwotypesof3'sinthisworld),whowillbenefitfromasocialmediamanifestationofthisapproach,wheretheycanblogandcommenttoeachotherabouthowtoapplytheMaster'steachingsinthenitty-grittyofeverydaylife,andhelpeachotherstayaccountable.Buttheauthoralreadyhadablogjustlikethis,justasIdescribed,already,beforehewrotethebook.Sowhythebook?Don'tknow.Don'tbuyit,justgoogletheauthor.Havingsaidallthat,IgrokkedthisbookandfeltlikeIwaswritingitwhileIreadit(likehowIfeltwithScrewtapeLettersandBottleRocket),bcIhavenearlyidenticalsystemstothisguy.SoIwaspissedIdidn'twritethebookmyselfandgetfamous,whichisalwaysagreatsignforabook,whenIhateitforbeingsotrivialthatevenaJoshcdthinkofit.Butgettingpastmyissues,Icompletelyanddeeplyagreewiththebook'spurposeandideas,andevenviewedcritically,Iagreewith95%oftheexpression.Thisneverhappens,soeitherI'mgrowinguportheworldisshrinking.Butifyou'rea3,andstillstrugglingtorespondwelltostructure,gofindthiswebsiteandtryitout. ...more flag 25likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Sep19,2011 MikeGibbs ratedit itwasok Whilethiswasapleasantandeasyread,Babauta'sapproachtopersonalproductivityisalittleimpracticalfornormalpeople.Muchofhisadviceregardingtheworkplacerequiresahighdegreeofautonomytoimplement.Additionally,muchofhisadviceregardingtheworkplacewillseemveryfamiliartothoseofyouwhohavereadanythingbyDavidAllen.Everypageortwoyouencounterconceptslikeprojectlists,ticklerfiles,one-wayinboxes,breakingprojectsintodiscreteactions,orhaving Whilethiswasapleasantandeasyread,Babauta'sapproachtopersonalproductivityisalittleimpracticalfornormalpeople.Muchofhisadviceregardingtheworkplacerequiresahighdegreeofautonomytoimplement.Additionally,muchofhisadviceregardingtheworkplacewillseemveryfamiliartothoseofyouwhohavereadanythingbyDavidAllen.Everypageortwoyouencounterconceptslikeprojectlists,ticklerfiles,one-wayinboxes,breakingprojectsintodiscreteactions,orhavingasinglealphabeticalreferencesystem.BabautadoesdoagoodjobofmodernizingafewofDavidAllen'sGTDconcepts(suchasrecommendingdigitizingasmanydocumentsaspossiblewhenarchiving).Thepartsofthisbookthatweremoreoriginalwereverygood,suchasBabauta'sadviceregardingachievinggoalsoneatatimeorhowtostaymotivated.Overall,thiswasadecentbookthatmighthelpyourealizethatthebestwaytoachievethethingsyouwantinlifeistogettherightthingsOUTofyourlifeinsteadofconstantlyaddingmore. ...more flag 13likes · Like  · seereview View1comment Jan20,2018 Andy ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Althoughitisridiculousonthefaceofittotakeadviceonhowtosimplifyyourlifefromamanwhohasfatheredsixchildren,thisaudiobookresonatedwithmerightnowandI'vealreadyimplementedatleastonethingfromitthisweekthathasbeenhelpful.There'snothingnewhere.Sowhat'sthevalueadded?Firstofall,it'sjustrefreshingthattheauthordoesn'tmakefalseclaimsaboutbringingussomeamazingnewscienceofwhatever.Secondly,thenarratorhasafriendly,encouragingt Althoughitisridiculousonthefaceofittotakeadviceonhowtosimplifyyourlifefromamanwhohasfatheredsixchildren,thisaudiobookresonatedwithmerightnowandI'vealreadyimplementedatleastonethingfromitthisweekthathasbeenhelpful.There'snothingnewhere.Sowhat'sthevalueadded?Firstofall,it'sjustrefreshingthattheauthordoesn'tmakefalseclaimsaboutbringingussomeamazingnewscienceofwhatever.Secondly,thenarratorhasafriendly,encouragingtone.Beyondthat,it'sacompactcompendiumofpracticalactionitemsthatotherwisewouldrequirewadingthroughabathtubfullofbooksandalotofunnecessaryblahblah.Becausetheauthorisjustrepeatingstandardadvicefromallovertheplace,someofthedetailsaresomewhatincorrect(e.g.lowfatdiet)orself-contradictoryortrite,butthegeneralapproachistospewoutallkindsoftipstochoosefromtoseewhatworksforthereader.Giventhatrepeatedadmonition,Icanlettheminorweaknessesslide.Therecurringthemeishowtofindthesmallestmeaningfulsteptodaytofocuson,soastomakeusefullong-termsystemchanges.Inaworldwhereburn-outandrelatedproblemsarerampant,usefuladvicealongtheselinescouldhelplotsofpeople. ...more flag 11likes · Like  · seereview Sep14,2016 Fani*lovesangst* ratedit likedit Shelves: 2016-books, novella-shortie, non-fiction 3starsIreadafewbooksaboutminimalismlately,becausetruthisItendtobebothahoarderandexcessivebuyer,habitsIneedtostopasthey'rewreckinghavocwithmynerveseverytimeIopenmycloset,aswellasmyfinances.Thisbookhoweverismainlyaboutlivingwithlesscommitmentsandnotlessstuff(eventhoughcleaningyourclutterismentionedbriefly).Andofthosecommitments,twokindsarediscussedinlength:workcommitmentsandthoseconcerninghealthandfitness.Forbette 3starsIreadafewbooksaboutminimalismlately,becausetruthisItendtobebothahoarderandexcessivebuyer,habitsIneedtostopasthey'rewreckinghavocwithmynerveseverytimeIopenmycloset,aswellasmyfinances.Thisbookhoweverismainlyaboutlivingwithlesscommitmentsandnotlessstuff(eventhoughcleaningyourclutterismentionedbriefly).Andofthosecommitments,twokindsarediscussedinlength:workcommitmentsandthoseconcerninghealthandfitness.Forbetterorworseneitherofthosewereofinteresttome,asit'smyafterworkhoursthatarestressingmeoutonadailybasis.Unfortunately,ifyoutakeoutthepassagesaboutwork,there'snotmuchlefttoreadinthisbook,sinceasfarasIcantell,almostallchoresathomeareunavoidable.Youcan'tsayforexamplethatcookingisunnecessary,orgroceryshopping,ordoingthelaundryorthekids'soccerpracticeandcertainlynottheirdoctor'sappointments.Theauthoralsosaysthatyouhavetofocusoneachandeverytaskyoudoandnotletyourmind/focuswonderelsewhere,butIfeelthatonceagainthisisneithernecessarynorapplicableoutsidework;Iunderstandtheideaoffocusingononeprojectattime,butdoIreallyneedtofocusononlyoneofmysons'schoolprogressandnotmydietortheotherson'sprogressatthesametime?ThemessageisIMOtotakeeverythingyoureadwithagrainofsalt,becauseeverythingworksdifferentlyforeveryone.Whythe3starsyouaskthen?Thefirstchapter:Settinglimits.Thischapterreallywasaneyeopener.Ourtimeislimited,24hoursaday,nomore,noless.Inordertoliveabetter/morepeacefullife,youhavetosetsomeprioritiesaboutwhatyouconsidera'need'andwhata'want'andalsosettimelimitsaboutcertaintasks.TheauthorusestheexampleofsurfingtheInternetorcheckingone'semailsonlyatcertaintimeseachday,soyoudon'tgetcarriedawayandignoreotherstuffthat'sinfactmoreimportanttoyou.Alsowritingdownalistofthingsanddistinguishingbetween'wants'and'needs',makesiteasiertodecidenottospendmoneyonyetanothersweater,buttousethemtotakemykidsforaneveningoutinstead,asthesecond'smoreimportanttome.Ithinkyougettheideahere.Theauthoralsohasoneotherproposal:whenyouwanttodo/eat/buysomethingthat'snotnecessary,sitdownandwaitalittlewhile;moreoftenthannot,theurgetodoitwillleavesoon,asurgescomeinwaves:PIfafterthewavepasses(thatcouldbe30daysforsomethingyouwanttobuyor30'foracigaretteorburgeryoucrave)youstillwanttodoit,thengoaheadanddoit!Idolikethatideaverymuchanddefinitelyplantotryitout,asimpulsivebuysaremybiggestpitfall.So,unlessyouhavesomeissuesatwork,readthefirstcoupleofchaptersandskiptherestlikeIdid.Evenforthosefewpages,thebookisworthreadingafterall,becauseithelpsyourealizethattimeisfiniteandyourmostvaluableasset,soyou'dbetterdecidehowyoureallywanttospendit,instedofspendingitdoingathousandmeaninglesschoresthatareneithernecessary,norjoyfultoyou! ...more flag 8likes · Like  · seereview View1comment Jan05,2016 ManikSukoco ratedit likedit Sincetherearemanyother(excellent)reviewsforthisbook,Iwon'trepeatwhathasalreadybeensaidmorethanthis:thisisagreatbookthatexplainshoweffectiveandpowerfulminimalismcanbeinyourlife.WhatIhavenotseensaid,however,isthemainpointofthisbook:Livingwithlesswillmakeyouahappierperson.WhileLeogoesintogreatdetailsabouthowtolivewithless,whyitisgood,howitcanhelp,etc.,themainpointisthatyouwillbehappier.Notonlybylivingwithl Sincetherearemanyother(excellent)reviewsforthisbook,Iwon'trepeatwhathasalreadybeensaidmorethanthis:thisisagreatbookthatexplainshoweffectiveandpowerfulminimalismcanbeinyourlife.WhatIhavenotseensaid,however,isthemainpointofthisbook:Livingwithlesswillmakeyouahappierperson.WhileLeogoesintogreatdetailsabouthowtolivewithless,whyitisgood,howitcanhelp,etc.,themainpointisthatyouwillbehappier.Notonlybylivingwithlessthings,butbyadjustingyourlifeandyourmindsettodesireless.Byclearingyourlife,body,mind,andspiritofallclutter,youcanfocusonthingsimportanttoyou,andtakethetimetoenjoyyourlife.Thisbookisnotintendedtobea`quickfix`forlife,insteaditshouldbereadasalifestyleguide.Theprinciplesoutlinedinthebookarebestappliedslowly,oneatatime,overlongperiodsoftime,inordertobuildlonglastinghabitsandpractices.Ifyou'relookingforanexcellenteye-openingbookonminimalism,readthisone! ...more flag 8likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Jun27,2011 Nathan ratedit reallylikedit Ireaditinlessthanaweek,andIlovedeverysentenceofit.Ifyouwantsomething,getit.Ifyouwanteverythinggetitall,justonethingatatime.Liveinthemoment,whateveryou'redoing,dothat,andonlythat.Slowdown,andbehappy. Ireaditinlessthanaweek,andIlovedeverysentenceofit.Ifyouwantsomething,getit.Ifyouwanteverythinggetitall,justonethingatatime.Liveinthemoment,whateveryou'redoing,dothat,andonlythat.Slowdown,andbehappy. ...more flag 8likes · Like  · seereview Oct06,2012 AlissaThorne ratedit itwasok Shelves: genre-nonfiction, about-personal-development ThisbookespousesaphilosophythatIacknowledgethewisdomof:focusyourattentiononthethingsthatreallymatter,inpartbycuttingthethingsthatmatterless.Thereweresomesolidchapterswithgoodmaterial--onethatsummedupalotofthemostvaluableaspectsofGettingThingsDone:TheArtofStress-FreeProductivity,andanotherchapteroronformingorchanginghabits.Thatbeingsaid,Ididn'tfeelasthoughIwalkedawaywiththefeelingofbeingfiredupabouthowtoapplyth ThisbookespousesaphilosophythatIacknowledgethewisdomof:focusyourattentiononthethingsthatreallymatter,inpartbycuttingthethingsthatmatterless.Thereweresomesolidchapterswithgoodmaterial--onethatsummedupalotofthemostvaluableaspectsofGettingThingsDone:TheArtofStress-FreeProductivity,andanotherchapteroronformingorchanginghabits.Thatbeingsaid,Ididn'tfeelasthoughIwalkedawaywiththefeelingofbeingfiredupabouthowtoapplythisphilosophy.Itmayhavebeenmoreimpactfultosomeonenotalreadyexposedtowhatisconsideredcommonwisdomintheproductivity/live-hackingscene:multitasking,bothonthemicroandmacroscale,isgenerallycounterproductive.Higherqualityandmoresustainableworkisachievablethroughfocusandaslowerpace.Finally,andironically,Ifeltlikeitgotunfocusedtowardstheend.WhileIcanseetherelationshipbetweentheauthorsapproachtoslowingdownineatinganddrivingtohisphilosophyinslowingdownandfocusingmoreinlifeingeneral,thesetopicsseemedbothancillarytothecoremessage,pluskindascoldey.Iskippedthelast45minutesorsoofthebookforthatreason. ...more flag 7likes · Like  · seereview Jun25,2018 Kimber ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: mindfulness Amindfulapproachtoeffectivelysimplifyingyourlife.Hehasenoughtipsandideasforjustaboutanybody.Thisisaboutslowingdown,yetgettingmoredonebyonlyfocusingonthemostessentialthingsinyourlife.Wecan'tdoeverythingbutwecandowhatweneedtodoinacalmstateofmind,notahecticone....Ihavealreadyappliedhisideastomylifeandgottenmoredonebysimplifying--evenonthejobIsloweddownandyetgotmoredone...Thisisgenius. Amindfulapproachtoeffectivelysimplifyingyourlife.Hehasenoughtipsandideasforjustaboutanybody.Thisisaboutslowingdown,yetgettingmoredonebyonlyfocusingonthemostessentialthingsinyourlife.Wecan'tdoeverythingbutwecandowhatweneedtodoinacalmstateofmind,notahecticone....Ihavealreadyappliedhisideastomylifeandgottenmoredonebysimplifying--evenonthejobIsloweddownandyetgotmoredone...Thisisgenius. ...more flag 7likes · Like  · seereview Jun24,2012 Ryan ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: productivity, technology LeoBabautawrites:"Therehasneverbeforebeenanageinwhichwecouldgetsomuchdonesoquickly.Therealsohasneverbeforebeenanageinwhichweweresooverwhelmedwithinformationandtasks,sooverloadedwithe-mailsandthingstoreadandwatch,sostressedbytheincredibledemandsofourlives."Formanypeoplethesedays,workisaconstantstreamofe-mails,ofnewsandrequests,ofphonecallsandinstantmessages,ofpapersandnotesandfiles.Thedaystartswithanin-boxfu LeoBabautawrites:"Therehasneverbeforebeenanageinwhichwecouldgetsomuchdonesoquickly.Therealsohasneverbeforebeenanageinwhichweweresooverwhelmedwithinformationandtasks,sooverloadedwithe-mailsandthingstoreadandwatch,sostressedbytheincredibledemandsofourlives."Formanypeoplethesedays,workisaconstantstreamofe-mails,ofnewsandrequests,ofphonecallsandinstantmessages,ofpapersandnotesandfiles.Thedaystartswithanin-boxfullofe-mails,andendswithanin-boxjustasfull,andeache-mailrepresentsarequestforinformationorforactionsthatwedon'thavetimetofulfill.Wearedrinkingfromafirehoseofinformation,withnoideaofhowtoreducetheflow."It'sstressfulandwasteful.Andifwestoptothinkaboutit,it'snothowwewanttospendoutlives."Andheiscompletelyright.Wedon'twanttolivestressedoutlives,constantlycomingandgoingbutneverarriving.Wewanttolivelivesthatmatter,livesthatinfluenceothers,livesthatareslowandthoughtfulanddeep.Wewanttolivelivesthatareintentional,livesthatcreatethepaceratherthantrytokeepupwithit.AndthatisexactlywhatThePowerofLessisallabout.Slowingdownandfocusingononethingatatime,bothsimplifyingandintenselyfocusingonthetaskorcircumstancedirectlyinfrontofus.Sohowarewetolivethistypeoflife?ArewetohaveaWaldeniancharacterconstrainedtothewoods,orgrowwiththetimesandlearntoprocessthevastamountsofinformationweseeinoureverydaylives?Theauthorproposesadramaticmiddlegroundforthewayweconsumeinformationbutnotletourselvesbeoverloadedbyit:Thatis"onewherewecanstillenjoyaccesstovastamountsofinformation,stillhaveinstantcommunicationwhenwewantit,stillgetthingsdonequickly—butoneinwhichwechoosehowmuchweconsumeanddo."Infact,everythinginthebookcomesbacktothissimplestatement:"Focusontheessentialandalloweverythingelsetodropaway."Whilethefirstpartofthebookdealswiththeprinciplesoflivingwithless,thesecondpartgetsmorepracticalinhowtoactuallyimplementsomeofthetheoreticalideasatthebeginning—goals,projects,tasks,timemanagement,e-mail,internet,filing,commitments,dailyroutines,declutteringyourworkspace,slowingdown,healthandfitness,andmotivation.Thoughprettyobvious,thesimplewaytheauthorbrokedownhowtoachievegoalsreallystuckouttome:Chooseagoal.Breakitdownintosub-goals.Breakthesub-goalsdownintoweeklyactions,andthoseweeklyactionsintodailytasks.ThenthosedailytasksaregoingtobepartofyourMITs(MostImportantTasks)thatyoudoeveryday.Therewassomuchinherethatseemslikeno-brainercommonsensebut,whenyougetinthehustleandbustleoflife,iseasilyforgotten.Itwasfuntohaveaneasy-to-readbookthatdidn'ttakelongatall,toremindmeofallthepracticalitiesoflivingaproductivelifethatisrichinrelationshipsanddepth.ThanksLeo! ...more flag 6likes · Like  · seereview Jul18,2013 MarkHollingsworth ratedit reallylikedit Thisbooktakesthepremisethatwearesowrappedupinbeingbusy(becausebeingbusyisthenewstatusthateverybodyseeks,"IworkergoIhavestatus")thatweareinfactfarlessproductivethanweactuallybelieve.Theauthortellsacompellingpersonalstoryofhowhede-clutteredandminimalizedhisownlifeandasaresultbecamephysicallyfitter,lostweight,gaveupsmoking,paidoffhisdebt,andbuiltfinancialsecurity.Thebulkofthebookisaneasytofollowmodelwhichseeks Thisbooktakesthepremisethatwearesowrappedupinbeingbusy(becausebeingbusyisthenewstatusthateverybodyseeks,"IworkergoIhavestatus")thatweareinfactfarlessproductivethanweactuallybelieve.Theauthortellsacompellingpersonalstoryofhowhede-clutteredandminimalizedhisownlifeandasaresultbecamephysicallyfitter,lostweight,gaveupsmoking,paidoffhisdebt,andbuiltfinancialsecurity.Thebulkofthebookisaneasytofollowmodelwhichseekstoestablishabalancebetweenfocusandgoalsetting.Theauthorarguesthatbyworkingononemajorgoalatatime,witharealistictimeline,focusnaturallyfollows-livinginthenow,de-cluttering,minimizingareallsidebenefitsofbecomingfocusedononeparticulargoal.Ireadthisbooklastyear,andhavenowspent10monthsfollowingthemodel-itworks!Thisisnotabookforpeoplewhowanttosqueezemoreoutofeveryhourofthedayintermsofproductivity,butitisabookforpeoplewhoarelookingforincreasedproductivity,whilstachievingbettermanagementoftheirtime,andafarbetterqualityandbalancedlife. ...more flag 6likes · Like  · seereview Jul05,2016 LynnDee(LynnDee'sLibrary) ratedit likedit Shelves: professional-development, book-group-books, self-help TheauthorwasextremelyrepetitivebuthehadalotofgoodpointsandtipsthatIamwillingtotry. flag 6likes · Like  · seereview Aug02,2012 JeffYoak ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: audio-collection, physical-on-hand, read-in-2012, read-in-2015, read-in-2016 I'velookedforsometimeforagoodsecularbookthatlooksintonotionsofthingslikemeditation,mindfulnessandsuchwithoutallthemysticism.Thisbookissquarelynon-mysticalandglancesthattarget.Unfortunately,Icouldn'tgetallofthevalueoutoftheaudiobookasmuchofwhatIthinkwillbevaluableareexercisestobewrittendownanddone,practicestoincludein10k,30kand40kgtdreviewsandotherthingsthatyoucan'tsimplyremember.Ifinishedtheaudioafewdaysagoa I'velookedforsometimeforagoodsecularbookthatlooksintonotionsofthingslikemeditation,mindfulnessandsuchwithoutallthemysticism.Thisbookissquarelynon-mysticalandglancesthattarget.Unfortunately,Icouldn'tgetallofthevalueoutoftheaudiobookasmuchofwhatIthinkwillbevaluableareexercisestobewrittendownanddone,practicestoincludein10k,30kand40kgtdreviewsandotherthingsthatyoucan'tsimplyremember.IfinishedtheaudioafewdaysagoandtodayjustreceivedapapercopyI'dordered.Thisisagoodenoughbooktoreadtwiceback-to-back,withthesecondtimefocusedondoing.Iwassurprised,butitwastortuoustoreadinpaperforsomereasonandIgaveitupquickly.IthinkI'lljustlistentoitagaininaudioandtakemorenotes,somewherebetweenafewmonthsandayearout. ...more flag 5likes · Like  · seereview View1comment May04,2013 Lyle ratedit reallylikedit Leoaddressesmanyimportantissuesinimprovingyourlife,suchasthepowerofhabit,andhowoneshouldmakeonlysmallchangesatatime.Ireadthisbookalreadysoldonbecomingaminimalist,andwantedsomepracticaladvice.IlikeLeo'swritingstyle-veryfriendlyandhelpful,andshowsthewisdomofexperience.However,despitehisemphasisonmakingsmallchanges,itisn'tclearhowtogetstartedwithhisprogram.Eachchaptergivesadifferentstrategyandit'snotclearhowtoapply Leoaddressesmanyimportantissuesinimprovingyourlife,suchasthepowerofhabit,andhowoneshouldmakeonlysmallchangesatatime.Ireadthisbookalreadysoldonbecomingaminimalist,andwantedsomepracticaladvice.IlikeLeo'swritingstyle-veryfriendlyandhelpful,andshowsthewisdomofexperience.However,despitehisemphasisonmakingsmallchanges,itisn'tclearhowtogetstartedwithhisprogram.Eachchaptergivesadifferentstrategyandit'snotclearhowtoapplythemalltogether.HetalksabouthavingOneGoalatatime(6-12months).Butalsothreeprojects(1-4weekseach),oneofwhichshouldberelatedtothegoal.So,fromwheredoIdrawmyotherprojects?WeshouldalsohavethreeMostImportantTasksfortheday.OneoftheMITsshouldberelatedtooneofyourgoals-butwait,youshouldonlyhaveOneGoal.AndthenlaterhesayseachMITshouldbegoal-related,orrelatedtooneofyourthreeprojects.Andtobatchsmalltaskslikeemail.YoushoulddoalltheMITsfirstthingintheday,justafterdrinkingsomewatertowakeyouup.Butwait-whatifIcanonlyataskattheoffice?OronlywhenI'moutandabout?Oronlyintheevening?AndwhenexactlyamIsupposedtogetinthatmeditation,exercise,orahealthybreakfast?SoIpersonallystartwiththemeditation,thenexercise,andbreakfast.IsetupMITsforpersonalthings.IfoneofthemissmallImightdoitbeforeworkorduringbreak.ThenIgettowork,andsetupmyMITs,andstartworkingonawork-relatedone.ButIdomostofmypersonalMITsintheevening.Hislackofdistinctionbetweenworkandpersonallifemakesthingsproblematicforthoseofuswhohavedayjobs.Hesaystojusthavethreeprojects,splitbetweenworkandpersonaltime.Itmakesmuchmoresensetometohavetwoprojectsatwork,andtwoprojectsathome,atanygiventime.Hesaysthatatworkourbossmaybechoosingourprojects,andweshouldtalkthebossintolimitingittothree-sodoesthatleaveuswithnopersonalprojects?Ithinkheisbiasedbyhisownwork-from-homeexperience.Healsosaysnottomakeappointments-justscheduletimespontaneouslywithyourfriends.Well,youmayjustfindthatwhenyoudothis,theyalreadyhaveplans.It'srespectfultootherpeopletoscheduleappointments.ThenhetalksaboutmakingaShortListoffivepriorities.Hetalksaboutcommitments,sometimesasequivalenttopriorities,sometimesasasubdivisionofthem.Don'tdoanythingthat'snotonthislist-butcutdownthecommitmentsgradually.Howarethesepriorities/commitmentssupposedtoberelatedtothegoals/projects?Hedoesn'treallyexplain.Hesayshehasonlyfourpriorities:Spendingtimewithhiswifeandkids,writing,running,andreading.So,Iguesshedoesn'thaveanyotherfriends.Henevervisitsanyotherfamily.Heneverspendsanytimemanaginghismoney.Heneverparticipatesincommunityactivities,ortakesanyinterestinpolitics.Itdoesn'tseemthateatingisevenapriorityforhim.MaybeI'mbeingpicky,butIhaveahardtimemakingthiswholeapproachpractical.ItseemsthatLeoisquitecontentwithhisselectionofactivities,neverdesirestodoanythingelse,andisanintrovertoftheextremeorder.Butdamn,heisaniceguy,andinspiring.Iwanttofollowhissystem,butIthinkitneedstweaks,forme. ...more flag 4likes · Like  · seereview Jul26,2009 Caitlin ratedit likedit Shelves: pop-psych, creativity Ithinkthisoneisreallyworth31/2stars,butofcoursethat'snotanoptionhere.It'snotabadbook,it'sjustthatIthinktherearebetterandmorepracticalproductivitybooksoutthere.Ithinkit'smosteffectivewhenreadasanadditiontomorerigorous,perhapsmethod-basedproductivitybooks,orif,inspiteofhavingasystem,thingsarestilloverwhelmingyou.Ithasit'sgoodparts-Babautamakesgoodpointsaboutslowingdownlife'spaceandnottryingtodoeverythingatonce Ithinkthisoneisreallyworth31/2stars,butofcoursethat'snotanoptionhere.It'snotabadbook,it'sjustthatIthinktherearebetterandmorepracticalproductivitybooksoutthere.Ithinkit'smosteffectivewhenreadasanadditiontomorerigorous,perhapsmethod-basedproductivitybooks,orif,inspiteofhavingasystem,thingsarestilloverwhelmingyou.Ithasit'sgoodparts-Babautamakesgoodpointsaboutslowingdownlife'spaceandnottryingtodoeverythingatonce.Single-tasking,limitingthenumberofthingsyoudivideyourattentionbetween,consciouslyslowingdownwhiledrivingaredefinitelyallthingsthathelpustobelessstressed-butIalsowonderhowlongit'sbeensincetheauthorwasinareal-lifeofficeenvironment;whetherheeverwenttohisbossandsaid"FromnowonI'monlygoingtoworkatthreeprojectsatatime".Sure,somebossesmaybesympatheticandsomepeoplemaybeabletogetawaywithjustdoingitandnottellinganyway,butIsuspectthemajorityofpeoplewon'tbeabletofollowthroughonthisone.Frommyownexperience,generallyIfindmyselfinateamthathasn'tenoughpeople,wherewereporttosomeonewhoisreportingtosomeoneelse,whoisreportingtosomeoneelseagain,andateachlevelofthatheirarchyprojectsarebeinginventedandpusheddownthechaintouslowlyminionsatthebottomwhogetstuckwithtryingtoachieveallthiswithlittleoptiontopushback.It'sabrillianttheory,butIdon'tthinkit'sterriblypractical.Thatsaid,it'squiteaninterestingbooktoread-it'sprettywellwrittenandthechaptersarequiteshortandsplitintosubsections-verymuchweb-writingstyle,whichmakesitgoodtopickupandputdowninshortchunksoftheday.Itmakesagoodadd-onreadtoamoreintensiveproductivitybooksuchasDavidAllen'sGettingThingsDone.It'seasytogetcarriedawaywithsettingupnewsystemsandmakinglistsofeverythingyouwanttodoandthenwantingtostartonthemall-Babauta'sbookgentlesthatfeelingandremindsusthatifwereallywanttoachievethings,thenweneedtoapproachthemwithmoderationandcontrol. ...more flag 4likes · Like  · seereview Dec31,2015 Bill ratedit likedit Asalwayswiththistypeofbook,thereareafewgoodideasthatI'lltry,andquiteafewmorethatmakemescratchmyheadandask,"whocouldgetawaywiththis?"Icertainlywanttosimplifyandfocusinthenewyear(2016)andprobablythemajorideaIlikefromthisbookisthatofchoosingthethreemostimportantthingsIwanttoaccomplishattheverystartoftheday.Myjobrevolvesaroundalotofinterruptions,changes,andnewtasks,butit'simportantthatIdon'tlosesightofwh Asalwayswiththistypeofbook,thereareafewgoodideasthatI'lltry,andquiteafewmorethatmakemescratchmyheadandask,"whocouldgetawaywiththis?"Icertainlywanttosimplifyandfocusinthenewyear(2016)andprobablythemajorideaIlikefromthisbookisthatofchoosingthethreemostimportantthingsIwanttoaccomplishattheverystartoftheday.Myjobrevolvesaroundalotofinterruptions,changes,andnewtasks,butit'simportantthatIdon'tlosesightofwhatIjudgetobemostimportantthatday.Someoftheauthor'ssuggestionsaredownrightunusual.Myfavoritewackyideaisthatofnotsettingappointmentswithpeople,atall.Yikes.Thatmightworkifeveryoneusedthesameplanningandorganizingprinciples,butideaslikethatreallyfailtorespectotherpeople'sworkingstyles;someofusreallydependonourappointmentsandmeetingstomakeprogressonthings.Onelastgrumble:I'malwaysabitirkedwhenauthorsthrowaroundwordslike"Zen"and"nirvana"tomeanwhattheywantthemtomean.Igetwhatthey'retryingtosay,butitmakesmerollmyeyesabit. ...more flag 4likes · Like  · seereview Nov12,2018 WillianMolinari ratedit reallylikedit Shelves: audio, non-fiction, audible-deal I'mmigratingallmyreviewstomyblog.Ifyouwanttoreadthefullreviewwithmyrawnotes,checkithere:https://pothix.com/poweroflessIt'sagoodbook.It'srepetitiveandabitoutdated(IheardGooglereadersomewhere)butallthehintsherearestillvalid.Tosummarize:thefocusiseverything.Chosesomethingyouwanttodoanddoit.Removeeverythingelsethat'snotmovingyoutowardyourprioritiesanddowhatyouhavetodo.Helistssomeactionablethatcanhelpyouonthisjourn I'mmigratingallmyreviewstomyblog.Ifyouwanttoreadthefullreviewwithmyrawnotes,checkithere:https://pothix.com/poweroflessIt'sagoodbook.It'srepetitiveandabitoutdated(IheardGooglereadersomewhere)butallthehintsherearestillvalid.Tosummarize:thefocusiseverything.Chosesomethingyouwanttodoanddoit.Removeeverythingelsethat'snotmovingyoutowardyourprioritiesanddowhatyouhavetodo.Helistssomeactionablethatcanhelpyouonthisjourney,butthere'snomiraclehere(asexpected),youjusthavetofocusandgetthingsdone.Forme,itwasabitrepetitivebecauseIalreadyreadaboutalmosteverythinghesaysinthisbook,butIwouldrecommendreadingifyou'renotintominimalist,productivity,andfocus. ...more flag 4likes · Like  · seereview Aug12,2011 Mary ratedit itwasok Atypicalpep-talkexhortation--nothingwrongwithit,butnotmuchnew,either.Doesn'tsolvetheproblemofmotivation,butthen,whohassolvedthat?Onesuggestionaboutdealingwithcommunicationonone'sownschedule--howaboutthefolksontheotherend?Readthisforalibrarybookgroup--otherwisewouldn'thavefinishedit. Atypicalpep-talkexhortation--nothingwrongwithit,butnotmuchnew,either.Doesn'tsolvetheproblemofmotivation,butthen,whohassolvedthat?Onesuggestionaboutdealingwithcommunicationonone'sownschedule--howaboutthefolksontheotherend?Readthisforalibrarybookgroup--otherwisewouldn'thavefinishedit. ...more flag 4likes · Like  · seereview Sep11,2014 Patty ratedit didnotlikeit Readthestuffyou'reinterestedinonhisblog.Shorter,lessrepetitive,lesscondescending.IfinishedthebookbecauseIscannedmostofitlookingforcontentIhadn'theardofyet,butInevershouldhavestarted. Readthestuffyou'reinterestedinonhisblog.Shorter,lessrepetitive,lesscondescending.IfinishedthebookbecauseIscannedmostofitlookingforcontentIhadn'theardofyet,butInevershouldhavestarted. ...more flag 4likes · Like  · seereview Mar22,2012 Bonnie ratedit itwasok Shelves: nonfiction Thisbookwasveryobvious.WhileIpickeduponeortwogoodtips,theoverallmessagewasprettycommonsense. flag 4likes · Like  · seereview Jan11,2013 Stella ratedit likedit Shelves: organizing-and-simplifying, 2013 Therewasnothingnewhereforme,however,ireadalotofbooksonthissubject,soitwouldn'tbefairtoblamethebookforit.Thereisalotofusefuladvicehereforsure. Therewasnothingnewhereforme,however,ireadalotofbooksonthissubject,soitwouldn'tbefairtoblamethebookforit.Thereisalotofusefuladvicehereforsure. ...more flag 4likes · Like  · seereview Aug09,2017 Ali ratedit didnotlikeit Shelves: self-help TiredofClichedself-helpbooks...IthinkishouldwriteanAnti-Selfhelpbook flag 4likes · Like  · seereview Viewall3comments Sep14,2010 Cara ratedit likedit Shelves: life Ironically,abookaboutsimplicityand"limitingyourselftotheessential"hasbecometheeighthadditiontomycurrently-readinglist!ButIknowotherpeoplehaveholdsonit,soIonlyhavetwoweekstoreaditbeforeithastogobacktothelibrary.IreadLeoBabauta'sZenHabitsblog(http://zenhabits.net/)allthetime,andfinditchallengingandinspiring.Interestingly,earlierthisyearIwasreadingTenNaturalLawsofSuccessandTimeManagementandcontrastinghisveryorganized, Ironically,abookaboutsimplicityand"limitingyourselftotheessential"hasbecometheeighthadditiontomycurrently-readinglist!ButIknowotherpeoplehaveholdsonit,soIonlyhavetwoweekstoreaditbeforeithastogobacktothelibrary.IreadLeoBabauta'sZenHabitsblog(http://zenhabits.net/)allthetime,andfinditchallengingandinspiring.Interestingly,earlierthisyearIwasreadingTenNaturalLawsofSuccessandTimeManagementandcontrastinghisveryorganized,plan-basedapproachtofiguringoutyourlifewithpostsonZenHabitsatthetime,tellingmetostopplanningandsettinggoalsandjustdotheonethingI'mmostexcitedaboutrightnow.Theyseemedtobetotallyoppositeapproaches.However,theearlychaptersofthisbookclearlycontaintheadvicetofigureoutwhatyouvalue,setyourgoalsbasedonthosevalues,andsetyourtaskstoaccomplishthosegoals.That'sexactlywhatTenNaturalLawssaid!IwonderifLeoBabautahaschangedhismindaboutallthisinthetwoyearssincethisbookcameout,orifImisreadhisblog?Inanyevent,I'mfindingallthisminimalismstuffveryinspirationalrightnow.EvenifIneverdothethingsthebookandblogauthorssuggest,justreadingthesethingsisgivingmeatonofenergytoaccomplishthingsI'vebeenputtingoffformonths.Threecheersforthat!...Ok,Irecheckedtheblog.Specifically,thispostcertainlyseemstocontradictalltheplanning,goal-setting,andlist-makingadviceinthisbook.Verycurious.Overall,I'dsaythisbookwasprettygood.Thebeginningwasthemostinteresting,aboutwhyandhowtolimityourselftoless.Theideaisthatthe80/20ruleappliestolifeandto-dolistsasmuchasitseemstoapplytoeverythingelse,socutoutallbutthatresults-dense20%.You'llspendalotlesstimeandenergydoingbutaccomplishalotmorethat'sactuallyimportant.Hesuggestspickingonehabitatatimetoworkonsetting/changing,andthrowingalloftheenergyyoucanatitforamonth,untilit'sset.Thenyoucanmoveontothenextone.Healsosuggestsdoingitintinybabystepssothatyou'reassuredofsuccessateachstepandyoucanbuildonthehighofeachofthosesmallsuccesses.Anothersuggestionispickingonlyonegoaltoworktoward(agoalbeinga6-12monthsortofthing),andpickingthreeprojectsatatimetobeyourworkingprojects.Projectsaremorelike1-monththings.Pickthetopthreeandworkallthreetocompletionbeforepickingyournextsetofthreeoffyourmasterlist.Thatwayyoucan'thaveonejustlanguishingaroundontheworkinglistbutnevergettingdone.Focusonfinishingthem--atleastoneofyourdailytasksshouldbeontheseprojects.Atthesmallestlevel,hesuggestspickingthreeMostImportantTasksforeachdayandaccomplishingthosefirstsoyoumakesuretheygetdone.Again,theseshouldrelatetothethreeworkingprojects.It'sallverystructuredandorganized.Ifindthissortofsystemeffectiveforawhile,butsomehowIneverstickwithitoverthelonghaul.It'sdoinggreatformerightnow,though,andIguessI'llenjoythataslongasitlasts.Thesecondhalfofthebookgoesintodetailabouthowtosimplifydifferentareasofyourlife,includingemail,eating,filing,exercise,etc.Ifounditalittletooobvioustobeallthatinterestingorinspiring,butI'vekindofbeenworkingonthisforawhilenow.Also,weightlossstartedtakingoverasthemainexample,soitstartedseemingmoreandmorelikeadvicefromsometediouswomen'smagazine.Finally,thelastchapterisonmotivation.Waystobemotivatedatthestartofaproject:-startsmall-justworkononegoalatatime-knowwhyyou'redoingwhatyou'redoing,andhaveagoodreason-really,reallywantit-commitpublicly-getexcitedaboutwhatyou'redoing-buildanticipation(startdoingwaylessthanyoucould,anddon'tletyourselfdomore,tokeepyourselfeagertodomore)-printitandpostitallovertheplaceHealsolistswaystogetre-motivatedastheprojectgoeson.Theywerekindofobvious.Justkeepdoingstuff,andeitheryou'lllikeitagaineventually,oryouwon't,inwhichcasemaybeyoushouldquit.Andthen,suddenly,thebookends!asifhegotsickofwritingitandjustcouldn'tdealwithwritingaconclusionparagraphoranything.Maybewhenhewaslimitinghimselftotheessentialforthisbook,hedecidedaconclusionwasn'tessential.Overall,somegoodstuffinhere,butnotalotthatIhaven'tseenbefore. ...more flag 3likes · Like  · seereview Oct09,2012 LaceyLouwagie ratedit likedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: non-fiction, self-help It'ssortofironicthatmymaincriticismofthisbookisthatitcouldhavebeenalittleshorter.Still,itISaveryhelpfulbookinproducingmoreproductivehabits,andI'vebeenmoreproductivesincereadingitandapplyingsomeofitstechniquesinmylife.LeoBabauta'spremise,thatbytryingtodotoomuch,weactuallyaccomplishless,iscompletelysound.Hisadmonitiontofocusinaworldfullofdistractionsandmulti-taskingisdefinitelyneeded.Themosthelpfulsuggestionsforme It'ssortofironicthatmymaincriticismofthisbookisthatitcouldhavebeenalittleshorter.Still,itISaveryhelpfulbookinproducingmoreproductivehabits,andI'vebeenmoreproductivesincereadingitandapplyingsomeofitstechniquesinmylife.LeoBabauta'spremise,thatbytryingtodotoomuch,weactuallyaccomplishless,iscompletelysound.Hisadmonitiontofocusinaworldfullofdistractionsandmulti-taskingisdefinitelyneeded.Themosthelpfulsuggestionsformeinthisbookwerethe"topthree"ones.OneisthatyoumakealonglistofALLtheongoingprojectsyou'reworkingon(basicallyanythingthatcan'tbeaccomplishedinafewhours.)Then,youchoosethreeofthoseprojectstofocuson.YoucanNOTaddanyotherprojectstothatlistuntilyou'vecompletedallthree.Inasimilarvein,eachmorningyou'reinstructedtomakealistofthree"most-important-tasks."Thisisthreetaskstotal,notthreeworktasks,threepersonaltasks,etc.Andthen,youstartworkingonthosetasksimmediately,evenbefore:gasp:checkingyouremail.Thisisthetipthat'shelpedmebemostproductive,andit'sgoodformetolearnanewtoprioritizeeverymorning.Ofcourse,usuallyIendupaccomplishingmuchmorethanthethreeitemsonthelist--butIalwaysatleastaccomplishthose,meaningthateverydaythemostimportanttasksgetdone.I'vealsobeenmoreproductiveduetofightingtheurgetomujti-task,andresistingcheckingmyemailmorethantwiceaday(personal)oronceanhour(business).ThereareafewsuggestionsinthisbookI'mgoingtoblatantlydisregard,though,liketheoneaboutbeing"present"andnottryingto"multi-task"whiledoingsimplethingslikewashingthedishesordriving.Um,you'regivingthisadviceonanaudiobook?Myguessisthataudiobooklistenersareexpertsimple-task-multi-taskers.IamNOTgivingupmyaudiobooktimetobemore"present"inboringtasks--nothavingmyaudiobook"carrots"wouldprobablymakemealotlessproductiveintakingcareofpeskychores,period!Also,itwasannoyingthattheauthorassumedhisprioritiesshouldbeyourpriorities.Whilethespecificadviceaboutdealingwithemailseemedfairlyuniversal(Ithinkwe'realmostalloverwhelmedby/addictedtoouremail),Icouldhavedonewithoutallthedetailedinformationabouthowtosetupandsticktoanexerciseroutine.Andwhilethere'ssomeacknowledgmentofhowtohandlesituationswhereyoudon'tgettodictateyourownpriorities,hedoesn'treallyhaveanythingtosayaboutpeoplewhoworkjobswherethere'snoautonomyatall(deskstaff,cashiers,etc.)Theassumptionisthatmostpeoplereadingthebookhave"officejobs,"andtheworksuggestionswillbemosthelpfulforthosefolks.Still,mostoftheadviceinthebookcanbemodifiedtofityourparticularsituation.Andofcourse,likeanyself-helpbook,it'sonlyusefulifyouapplyit!Luckily,theideasinthisbookareprettyeasytoapply(butIwasstilltoolazytodoallofthem.:p) ...more flag 3likes · Like  · seereview Dec29,2016 JacquelineBoss ratedit didnotlikeit 1.5stars.Extremelyramblingandrepetitive.Overlyspecificadvice.Bizarreorganizationalstructure,withthesamethingspoppingupchapterafterchapterandmultipletimeswithinachapter,asifthelastfewparagraphsaboutthesametopicwerecompletelyforgotten.Ex-thenumberoftimesemailorganizationwasbroughtupandthesuggestiontoonlycheckemailat10amand4pmwasextremelyexcessive,aswerethenumberoftimesitwassuggestedtomakeyourintentionsknowntootherstoh 1.5stars.Extremelyramblingandrepetitive.Overlyspecificadvice.Bizarreorganizationalstructure,withthesamethingspoppingupchapterafterchapterandmultipletimeswithinachapter,asifthelastfewparagraphsaboutthesametopicwerecompletelyforgotten.Ex-thenumberoftimesemailorganizationwasbroughtupandthesuggestiontoonlycheckemailat10amand4pmwasextremelyexcessive,aswerethenumberoftimesitwassuggestedtomakeyourintentionsknowntootherstoholdyourselfaccountable,tostayexcited,tonarrowdowntojustonetask,etc.-thisbookprobablycould,andshould,havebeen10pageslong.Triedtotacklewaytoomanytopicsandmisseditsownpoint-focus.Solidskip. ...more flag 3likes · Like  · seereview Jun18,2020 BonTom ratedit reallylikedit Shelves: non-fiction Verypractical,comprehensivecollectionofskillseverybodycanacquirewithsomewillanddeterminationandputthemtoworkinordertogettheirshittogether.I'dsayallofthemareverygood.SomeofthemIpracticedforyears,someareveryeasilyandintuitivelyacceptableassomethingyouaredefinitelywantingtotry.Iwasalsoverysurprisedtolearnsomecompletelycounterintuitivestuff,wonderinghowcomeIdidn'tthinkofthisearlier. Verypractical,comprehensivecollectionofskillseverybodycanacquirewithsomewillanddeterminationandputthemtoworkinordertogettheirshittogether.I'dsayallofthemareverygood.SomeofthemIpracticedforyears,someareveryeasilyandintuitivelyacceptableassomethingyouaredefinitelywantingtotry.Iwasalsoverysurprisedtolearnsomecompletelycounterintuitivestuff,wonderinghowcomeIdidn'tthinkofthisearlier. ...more flag 4likes · Like  · seereview May15,2014 Danielius(Debesyla) ratedit likedit Thiswasabittoolongbookaboutlivingwithless......Yes,that'sironic,Iknow.Anyway,thiswasafinebook,butIwouldratherrecommend"TheSimpleGuidetoaMinimalistLife",another,shorter,bookbyLeoonsametopic.;-) Thiswasabittoolongbookaboutlivingwithless......Yes,that'sironic,Iknow.Anyway,thiswasafinebook,butIwouldratherrecommend"TheSimpleGuidetoaMinimalistLife",another,shorter,bookbyLeoonsametopic.;-) ...more flag 3likes · Like  · seereview Mar20,2020 Ira ratedit likedit AlthoughIwasabletotakeawayafewmotivationalpiecesandtips,IfeltthatmuchofwhatwassaidwerethingsIamalreadydoingoriscommonsense.Itwasalsorepetitiveattimes.Allinall,Istillenjoyedthequickread.ItDIDmotivatemetofinallywipeoutmyemailinboxtozero.Bottomlineforthemajorityofthebook:Focusontheessentialandeliminatetherest. flag 2likes · Like  · seereview Apr13,2020 TobechukwuUdeigbo ratedit reallylikedit Thisisanecessarybookforeveryonetoread,especiallyifyouwanttoseerealresultsinyourpersonalandprofessionallives.Ihighlyrecommendittomillennialbecauseofourcraze-crowdedcalendaranddigitally-congestedworldwhichmakeuseasilydistractedandlessmotivatedtosetgoalsandachievethem.Itisalsoaneasystraight-to-the-pointread!Plus,simpletounderstandandapplyconcepts.Irateit8/10. flag 2likes · Like  · seereview View1comment «previous123456789…next» newtopicDiscussThisBook Therearenodiscussiontopicsonthisbookyet. Bethefirsttostartone» Share RecommendIt  |  Stats  |  RecentStatusUpdates Readersalsoenjoyed Seesimilarbooks… Genres Nonfiction 302users SelfHelp 209users Productivity 147users Business 98users SelfHelp> PersonalDevelopment 87users Psychology 42users Philosophy 27users HowTo 14users Buddhism> Zen 12users Business> Management 11users Seetopshelves… AboutLeoBabauta LeoBabauta 656 followers LeoBabautaisasimplicitybloggerandauthor.HecreatedZenHabits,aTop25blog(accordingtoTIMEmagazine)with260,000subscribers,mnmlist.com,andthebest-sellingbooksfocus,ThePowerofLess,andZenToDone.Babautaisaformerjournalistof18years,ahusband,fatherofsixchildren,andin2010movedfromGuamtoSanFrancisco,whereheleadsasimplelife.HestartedZenHabitsto LeoBabautaisasimplicitybloggerandauthor.HecreatedZenHabits,aTop25blog(accordingtoTIMEmagazine)with260,000subscribers,mnmlist.com,andthebest-sellingbooksfocus,ThePowerofLess,andZenToDone.Babautaisaformerjournalistof18years,ahusband,fatherofsixchildren,andin2010movedfromGuamtoSanFrancisco,whereheleadsasimplelife.HestartedZenHabitstochronicleandsharewhathe'slearnedwhilechanginganumberofhabits. ...more BooksbyLeoBabauta More… RelatedArticles39AudiobookstoBeBetterin2022 Newyear,newyou!Orperhapsthesameyou,buta2.0version? Thestartofanewyearisknownforresolutions,which,asweallknow,...Readmore...75likes·2comments TriviaAboutThePowerOfLess... Notriviaorquizzesyet.Addsomenow» QuotesfromThePowerOfLess... “Principle1:Bysettinglimitations,wemustchoosetheessential.Soineverythingyoudo,learntosetlimitations. Principle2:Bychoosingtheessential,wecreategreatimpactwithminimalresources.Alwayschoosetheessentialtomaximizeyourtimeandenergy.” — 10likes “ThePowerofLessisperfectforachievinggoals:Limityourselftofewergoals,andyou’llachievemore.Atthesametime,we’lllookatwaystonarrowyourfocusonyourprojects,sothatyoucancompletethemmoreeffectivelyandmoveforwardonyourgoals.We’llapplylimitationstoourprojectstoincreaseoureffectiveness.” — 6likes Morequotes… Welcomeback.JustamomentwhilewesignyouintoyourGoodreadsaccount.