Is this essential?

I’ve had a sticky note in my studio this week.

On it, it simply asks, “Is this essential?”

It’s an innocuous question that can have a profound influence on your work, if you let it.

When we ask the question, inessential things get left behind. Features you don’t need don’t get built. Projects you don’t need don’t get started. Essential things get your focus.

When we don’t ask the question, essential things get left behind. Your journaling habit gets left to the end of the day, when you’re too tired and say, “Maybe tomorrow.” Your would that could have been great, was instead good, because you had no time for great.

Find time for great.

Hint: It’s trapped among the inessential.