# Effortless by Greg McKeown
Author:: Shortform
## Highlights
> McKeown breaks Effortless into three parts:
> Effortless mindset: How to declutter your mind and become well-rested, aware, and focused.
> Effortless progress: How to simplify work processes to make it easier to start, finish, and maintain momentum on a project.
> Effortless success: How to leverage our actions to produce positive results consistently. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/f45913e2-2069-413e-8d00-6d4f704278c9))
> first thing to do when trying to live more effortlessly is to adopt an effortless mindset: one where you’re focused, rested, and aware of your surroundings. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/c1d01ebf-02ef-443c-b624-abb47b4c4114))
> According to McKeown, the first step in reaching an effortless mindset is to constantly look for ways to make things easier instead of overexerting yourself. This isn’t laziness—it’s resourcefulness. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/b77ca56a-b9fc-4952-9cbd-56b880e747d2))
> we’re taught throughout life that to accomplish anything of value we must work hard. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/a5d2af92-646c-4827-b772-93c9aec6945d))
> McKeown argues that the cultural belief that hard work equates to more success is insidious, and many self-help books support the “hard work fallacy.” ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/6e7ab135-8e1f-4775-ae7a-f57a91007012))
> instead of learning to endure essential tasks, McKeown recommends finding ways to enjoy them. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/07105a30-b4d4-4d48-9684-74dc7c828344))
> Combine Work and Play ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/48e45d82-9734-4ee8-b036-33ed4a7aa916))
> To improve your life, find ways to turn positive experiences you dislike into ones you enjoy ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/f32638f8-cd3c-4aac-8572-334746fd87fe))
> If you wish to get the most out of your time and energy, learn to let go of negative emotions such as fear and anger and express gratitude as much as possible ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/5bc6e885-8d90-4382-b5bb-69fde7ec2ff8))
> McKeown says that to achieve an effortless mindset, you must avoid burnout and exhaustion. One of the best ways to do this is to get enough rest. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/6436c603-7a52-43c9-aaed-7a8fb89679c6))
> The best way to perform consistently is to work in a regular pattern of exertion and relaxation. Try working in the morning, in shifts no longer than 90 minutes, with short breaks in between ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/bd8d73c6-b7e0-43eb-8c95-f62c813a8e5a))
> Reject Hustle Culture
> Like McKeown, Brené Brown believes that the hustle culture we live in is bad for our physical and mental well-being. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/7453ff6c-715a-45d8-a199-03c6f3dc6725))
> recognize that your worth isn’t tied to how productive you are. You’re worthy no matter how much you achieve, and you don’t need to push yourself to the point of exhaustion to prove that. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/8f48083a-b9cf-49f9-a3d3-7b815377d92e))
> An effortless mindset requires intense focus, something many struggle with. In Hyperfocus, Chris Bailey advises how to stay focused and in the moment. To hyperfocus, intentionally direct your attention to a single task by following a five-step process: ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/3bc2e080-d39e-4686-81cb-174ddf04a277))
> Choose when to focus ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/34ddf744-f1da-4727-94bc-db45aa660240))
> Choose what to focus on: ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/5b239993-2923-4f21-bb96-40144b2b04e4))
> Limit and manage distractions ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/56a4bf54-d540-46c4-a862-0d0b523118f4))
> Use mindfulness and meditation ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/24b04b41-5300-491f-8391-be0caed8de55))
> Prevent your mind from wandering ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/14e42847-f69d-4866-b50a-66d0540bdbaf))
> Effortless Progress ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/b21ffbd8-73e9-402d-b32f-4b842fe83517))
> Know When You’re Finished ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/04841da1-4784-43cc-82a5-bfeb5c47c6b6))
> Take the First Step
> Once you’ve defined what finished looks like, McKeown advises taking the first step immediately ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/c70a9da6-9597-4d67-a0bc-8a43a98b9fbe))
> Remove Unnecessary Steps
> A key tenet of Effortless is to make things as simple as possible ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/d9e58589-9b43-49a7-af7b-69c6ea5ba5f1))
> Apply Agile Thinking
> A great deal of McKeown’s advice on effortless progress is based on the Agile Manifesto, a set of principles for efficient software development. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/1d3b762c-6142-4d57-b173-1e963eabeb02))
> Pace Yourself
> McKeown claims that finding the right pace of work is essential to making effortless progress. If you work too quickly or too much early on, you’ll inevitably hit a point where you can’t keep the momentum going. If you work too little, you may lose the motivation to continue. The goal, then, is to find the ideal range of effort to put in each day. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/14be4bf4-b307-4c89-bcfa-f99a07034437))
> Effortless Success
> McKeown’s final stage of effortless productivity is learning how to apply your actions to produce consistent, compounding results. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/5857b516-6c7d-43a1-8bc5-5c672478534d))
> Learn the Principles
> McKeown argues that to get the most out of the things you learn, you should aim to understand the fundamentals behind the knowledge. Understanding the fundamentals will save you time and effort in the future. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/2f13b034-4a4a-4cba-9b0a-51a98feede67))
> Get to the Core of the Issue
> McKeown argues that it’s much more cost-effective to solve or prevent a problem than to contain it. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/5e6c6eaa-2518-4e89-aac2-f1405124799d))
---
Title: Effortless by Greg McKeown
Author: Shortform
Tags: readwise, books
date: 2024-01-30
---
# Effortless by Greg McKeown
Author:: Shortform
## AI-Generated Summary
None
## Highlights
> McKeown breaks Effortless into three parts:
> Effortless mindset: How to declutter your mind and become well-rested, aware, and focused.
> Effortless progress: How to simplify work processes to make it easier to start, finish, and maintain momentum on a project.
> Effortless success: How to leverage our actions to produce positive results consistently. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/f45913e2-2069-413e-8d00-6d4f704278c9))
> first thing to do when trying to live more effortlessly is to adopt an effortless mindset: one where you’re focused, rested, and aware of your surroundings. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/c1d01ebf-02ef-443c-b624-abb47b4c4114))
> According to McKeown, the first step in reaching an effortless mindset is to constantly look for ways to make things easier instead of overexerting yourself. This isn’t laziness—it’s resourcefulness. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/b77ca56a-b9fc-4952-9cbd-56b880e747d2))
> we’re taught throughout life that to accomplish anything of value we must work hard. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/a5d2af92-646c-4827-b772-93c9aec6945d))
> McKeown argues that the cultural belief that hard work equates to more success is insidious, and many self-help books support the “hard work fallacy.” ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/6e7ab135-8e1f-4775-ae7a-f57a91007012))
> instead of learning to endure essential tasks, McKeown recommends finding ways to enjoy them. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/07105a30-b4d4-4d48-9684-74dc7c828344))
> Combine Work and Play ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/48e45d82-9734-4ee8-b036-33ed4a7aa916))
> To improve your life, find ways to turn positive experiences you dislike into ones you enjoy ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/f32638f8-cd3c-4aac-8572-334746fd87fe))
> If you wish to get the most out of your time and energy, learn to let go of negative emotions such as fear and anger and express gratitude as much as possible ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/5bc6e885-8d90-4382-b5bb-69fde7ec2ff8))
> McKeown says that to achieve an effortless mindset, you must avoid burnout and exhaustion. One of the best ways to do this is to get enough rest. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/6436c603-7a52-43c9-aaed-7a8fb89679c6))
> The best way to perform consistently is to work in a regular pattern of exertion and relaxation. Try working in the morning, in shifts no longer than 90 minutes, with short breaks in between ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/bd8d73c6-b7e0-43eb-8c95-f62c813a8e5a))
> Reject Hustle Culture
> Like McKeown, Brené Brown believes that the hustle culture we live in is bad for our physical and mental well-being. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/7453ff6c-715a-45d8-a199-03c6f3dc6725))
> recognize that your worth isn’t tied to how productive you are. You’re worthy no matter how much you achieve, and you don’t need to push yourself to the point of exhaustion to prove that. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/8f48083a-b9cf-49f9-a3d3-7b815377d92e))
> An effortless mindset requires intense focus, something many struggle with. In Hyperfocus, Chris Bailey advises how to stay focused and in the moment. To hyperfocus, intentionally direct your attention to a single task by following a five-step process: ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/3bc2e080-d39e-4686-81cb-174ddf04a277))
> Choose when to focus ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/34ddf744-f1da-4727-94bc-db45aa660240))
> Choose what to focus on: ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/5b239993-2923-4f21-bb96-40144b2b04e4))
> Limit and manage distractions ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/56a4bf54-d540-46c4-a862-0d0b523118f4))
> Use mindfulness and meditation ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/24b04b41-5300-491f-8391-be0caed8de55))
> Prevent your mind from wandering ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/14e42847-f69d-4866-b50a-66d0540bdbaf))
> Effortless Progress ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/b21ffbd8-73e9-402d-b32f-4b842fe83517))
> Know When You’re Finished ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/04841da1-4784-43cc-82a5-bfeb5c47c6b6))
> Take the First Step
> Once you’ve defined what finished looks like, McKeown advises taking the first step immediately ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/c70a9da6-9597-4d67-a0bc-8a43a98b9fbe))
> Remove Unnecessary Steps
> A key tenet of Effortless is to make things as simple as possible ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/d9e58589-9b43-49a7-af7b-69c6ea5ba5f1))
> Apply Agile Thinking
> A great deal of McKeown’s advice on effortless progress is based on the Agile Manifesto, a set of principles for efficient software development. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/1d3b762c-6142-4d57-b173-1e963eabeb02))
> Pace Yourself
> McKeown claims that finding the right pace of work is essential to making effortless progress. If you work too quickly or too much early on, you’ll inevitably hit a point where you can’t keep the momentum going. If you work too little, you may lose the motivation to continue. The goal, then, is to find the ideal range of effort to put in each day. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/14be4bf4-b307-4c89-bcfa-f99a07034437))
> Effortless Success
> McKeown’s final stage of effortless productivity is learning how to apply your actions to produce consistent, compounding results. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/5857b516-6c7d-43a1-8bc5-5c672478534d))
> Learn the Principles
> McKeown argues that to get the most out of the things you learn, you should aim to understand the fundamentals behind the knowledge. Understanding the fundamentals will save you time and effort in the future. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/2f13b034-4a4a-4cba-9b0a-51a98feede67))
> Get to the Core of the Issue
> McKeown argues that it’s much more cost-effective to solve or prevent a problem than to contain it. ([View Highlight](https://www.shortform.com/app/highlights/5e6c6eaa-2518-4e89-aac2-f1405124799d))