Greg McKeown Essentialist Invitation Evaluation

Evaluate social invitations and commitment requests using the extreme criteria method from Essentialism. This Greg McKeown invitation filter helps you protect your time by saying yes only to top tier opportunities.

4 time blocks, 15 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Document the Invitation: 2 min
Write down the request, event details, and required time
Define Minimum and Extreme Criteria: 5 min
List three basic requirements and three stringent high bar conditions
Score with the 90 Percent Rule: 5 min
Rate the fit from 1 to 100 and treat anything below 90 as a no
Draft the Essentialist Response: 3 min
Send a clear acceptance or a warm, direct essentialist refusal

About this routine

In his book Essentialism, author Greg McKeown argues that if an invitation is not a clear yes, it should be a clear no. Most people evaluate social and professional requests with vague criteria, leading to overloaded schedules full of unwanted commitments. The Greg McKeown invitation filter replaces vague thinking with a systematic, two-tier evaluation process.

The process begins by writing down three basic minimum criteria an invitation must satisfy. Next, you set three extreme criteria representing your ideal outcome. Finally, you apply the 90 percent rule. You score the invitation from 0 to 100 on its alignment with your personal priorities. Anything scoring below 90 is scored as a zero and turned down gracefully.

Using this structured sequence takes about 15 minutes. By filtering invitations through strict criteria before replying, you eliminate lingering decision fatigue and protect your schedule for what matters most.

Why this routine works

Eliminates decision fatigue when responding to social or work requests
Prevents calendar overload by establishing clear acceptance criteria
Provides a structured framework for polite and definitive refusals

FAQ

What is the Greg McKeown invitation filter?

It is an evaluation process from Essentialism that uses minimum criteria, extreme criteria, and a 90 percent scoring rule to decide whether to accept or decline an invitation.

What is the 90 percent rule in Essentialism?

The 90 percent rule states that if an opportunity or invitation scores below 90 out of 100 on your core criteria, you treat it as a zero and turn it down.

How long does the Greg McKeown invitation filter take?

Evaluating a single invitation using this structured 4-step process takes 15 minutes.

Sources

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, Greg McKeown