The Nonessentialist leader is not great on accountability. A primary and somewhat obvious reason is that the more items one pursues, the harder it is to follow up on all of them.

If you have correctly identified what really matters, if you invest your time and energy in it, then it is difficult to regret the choices you make. You become proud of the life you have chosen to live.

“If one’s life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness.”

I continue to discover almost daily that I can do less and less—in order to contribute more.

Ultimately, our success becomes a catalyst for our failure.

“What is getting in the way of achieving what is essential?”

To her surprise he said he never would. An adult had told him he could be somebody, and that was worth more than free pizza or bowling.

What is the “slowest hiker” in your job or your life? What is the obstacle that is keeping you back from achieving what really matters to you?

(1) What risks do you face on this project? (2) What is the worst-case scenario? (3) What would the social effects of this be? (4) What would the financial impact of this be? and (5) How can you invest to reduce risks or strengthen financial or social resilience?