Discusses a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so you can make the highest possible contribution towards the things that really matter.

Part I: Essence. The essentialist -- Choose: the invincible power of choice -- Discern: the unimportance of practically everything -- Trade-off: Which problem do I want? -- Part II: Explore. Escape: the perks of being unavailable -- Look: see what really matters -- Play: embrace the wisdom of your inner child -- Sleep: protect the asset -- Select: the power of extreme criteria -- Part III: Eliminate. Clarify: one decision that makes a thousand -- Dare: the power of a graceful "no" -- Uncommit : win big by cutting your losses -- Edit: the invisible art -- Limit: the freedom of setting boundaries -- Part IV : Execute. Buffer: the unfair advantage -- Subtract: bring forth more by removing obstacles -- Progress: the power of small wins -- Flow: the genius of routine -- Focus: What's important now? -- Be: the essentialist life -- Appendix: Leadership essentials.