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Red Brick Thinking: Make Space. Find Focus. Move Forward.
What if success isn't about adding more, but about removing what holds you back?
Do you spend every day wading through too much information, too many choices and too many commitments? Is there always too much to do, but never enough time and energy to do it all? In Red Brick Thinking, bestselling author Donna McGeorge delivers a game-changing philosophy about how to work and live in a way that leaves you more fulfilled and more satisfied. She What if the answer to achieving more is actually to do less?
Red Brick Thinking is a manifesto for smarter, simpler and more powerful decision-making. Inside, you'll learn why our instinct to add complexity is counterproductive to getting things done. Discover what happens when you start to strategically subtract the bricks that weigh you down — from meetings and busy work to the overstimulation and hustle in the design of our daily lives. From Ash Barty to Bottega Veneta, Taylor Swift to Canva, viral trends to global work movements . . . you'll encounter compelling stories, real-world examples and thought-provoking questions that show you how to lighten your load and move forward with greater joy.
Transform your thinking from 'What else can I do?' to 'What can I stop doing?' Learn the power of no and set boundaries that simplify your life and work. Boost your focus and combat burnout, inefficiency and overwhelm. Find clarity and create space for what truly matters each day. Let go of the tasks, habits, obligations and relationships that aren't serving you anymore. Red Brick Thinking shows how greatness is revealed by removing the excess, like a sculptor carving a masterpiece from a block of marble. If you're ready to stop being overwhelmed and start focusing on what matters, this book shares the mindset and motivation for creating the change you need. What red brick can you let go of today?
Do you spend every day wading through too much information, too many choices and too many commitments? Is there always too much to do, but never enough time and energy to do it all? In Red Brick Thinking, bestselling author Donna McGeorge delivers a game-changing philosophy about how to work and live in a way that leaves you more fulfilled and more satisfied. She What if the answer to achieving more is actually to do less?
Red Brick Thinking is a manifesto for smarter, simpler and more powerful decision-making. Inside, you'll learn why our instinct to add complexity is counterproductive to getting things done. Discover what happens when you start to strategically subtract the bricks that weigh you down — from meetings and busy work to the overstimulation and hustle in the design of our daily lives. From Ash Barty to Bottega Veneta, Taylor Swift to Canva, viral trends to global work movements . . . you'll encounter compelling stories, real-world examples and thought-provoking questions that show you how to lighten your load and move forward with greater joy.
Transform your thinking from 'What else can I do?' to 'What can I stop doing?' Learn the power of no and set boundaries that simplify your life and work. Boost your focus and combat burnout, inefficiency and overwhelm. Find clarity and create space for what truly matters each day. Let go of the tasks, habits, obligations and relationships that aren't serving you anymore. Red Brick Thinking shows how greatness is revealed by removing the excess, like a sculptor carving a masterpiece from a block of marble. If you're ready to stop being overwhelmed and start focusing on what matters, this book shares the mindset and motivation for creating the change you need. What red brick can you let go of today?
304 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2025
1 person is currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 6, 2025
Red Brick Thinking is a concept created by Donna McGeorge when she realised that the main issue clogging up people’s lives in a professional or business sense was far too much clutter, thus retarding the chance to grow and expand with some serious aplomb.
But what to do about it, how to create change, how to move away from outdated, habit formed methods firmly entrenched in business, people’s minds and attitudes took a seriously ill husband and far too much to do, to resolve.
Having the time to sit and think made her realise that much of what she was doing could be removed with little or no ill effect. These are the things she calls Red Bricks, and they are the things which, carefully removed can make a massive difference to how you live your life.
As she states throughout the book, we get so used to adding another something to our already overburdened lives: it’s not working hold a meeting, still not working, add another strategy, volunteer more, subscribe to the theory of more is better, adding more and getting utterly exhausted and bogged down with absolutely everything.
The results from this are ‘burnout’: physical, emotional and metal with debilitating results, whereas with careful reviews of the situation, open dialogue with family or staff members, some fresh planning and a bit of courage, change can be made by paring down or removing completely the things that are no longer working, that hold everyone down and ultimately create a negative effective on the bottom line.
Throughout the book she uses as examples well documented businesses that removed the Red Bricks, the clutter, the outdated systems and reaped the rewards with increases in sales, profit and retention of happy staff.
Change, as she also stresses can be very scary but like most things in life, change is happening on a daily basis whether we like it or not, so therefor put in the time and effort to review your team, your business, your Company and see what can be cleared away, streamlined to bring about change and create better workplaces and homes.
Sometimes all it takes is a small change and with other situations a much bigger, more controversial change but once the ‘red brick’ has been identified and removed the benefits are immense.
Where does change begin? It begins with you as you reflect on what can be removed from your busy life to make things better, more balanced and more enjoyable on all levels.
Feel the need for change, get a copy of Red Brick Thinking, invite Donna McGeorge into your workplace and get ready to embrace the winds of powerful, positive change.
But what to do about it, how to create change, how to move away from outdated, habit formed methods firmly entrenched in business, people’s minds and attitudes took a seriously ill husband and far too much to do, to resolve.
Having the time to sit and think made her realise that much of what she was doing could be removed with little or no ill effect. These are the things she calls Red Bricks, and they are the things which, carefully removed can make a massive difference to how you live your life.
As she states throughout the book, we get so used to adding another something to our already overburdened lives: it’s not working hold a meeting, still not working, add another strategy, volunteer more, subscribe to the theory of more is better, adding more and getting utterly exhausted and bogged down with absolutely everything.
The results from this are ‘burnout’: physical, emotional and metal with debilitating results, whereas with careful reviews of the situation, open dialogue with family or staff members, some fresh planning and a bit of courage, change can be made by paring down or removing completely the things that are no longer working, that hold everyone down and ultimately create a negative effective on the bottom line.
Throughout the book she uses as examples well documented businesses that removed the Red Bricks, the clutter, the outdated systems and reaped the rewards with increases in sales, profit and retention of happy staff.
Change, as she also stresses can be very scary but like most things in life, change is happening on a daily basis whether we like it or not, so therefor put in the time and effort to review your team, your business, your Company and see what can be cleared away, streamlined to bring about change and create better workplaces and homes.
Sometimes all it takes is a small change and with other situations a much bigger, more controversial change but once the ‘red brick’ has been identified and removed the benefits are immense.
Where does change begin? It begins with you as you reflect on what can be removed from your busy life to make things better, more balanced and more enjoyable on all levels.
Feel the need for change, get a copy of Red Brick Thinking, invite Donna McGeorge into your workplace and get ready to embrace the winds of powerful, positive change.
October 15, 2025
There’s something about picking up a Donna McGeorge book that makes me feel instantly motivated. She is Australia’s productivity guru.
Red Brick Thinking builds on Donna’s productivity work, but this manifesto shifts the focus to intentional subtraction – in her usual encouraging, relatable style. She uses the metaphor of fixing an unbalanced LEGO bridge by subtracting one red brick rather than adding more.
Donna applies the idea of subtraction to three areas: cultural, structural and emotional. Culturally, it’s about questioning “more is better”. Structurally, it’s about removing clutter, meetings and tasks. Emotionally, it’s about letting go of guilt, obligation and the need to respond to everything.
What I loved most is that you don’t need a big plan or meeting to start. You can just notice something that’s weighing you down and quietly remove it. It helped me straight away to let go of some books and clothes, drop a half-hearted project from my list and notice when I’m being reactive (more often than I realised).
Red Brick Thinking is a powerful, fuss-free way to create space in all areas of your life.
Thank you to Donna McGeorge and Wiley for the kind review copy.
Red Brick Thinking builds on Donna’s productivity work, but this manifesto shifts the focus to intentional subtraction – in her usual encouraging, relatable style. She uses the metaphor of fixing an unbalanced LEGO bridge by subtracting one red brick rather than adding more.
Donna applies the idea of subtraction to three areas: cultural, structural and emotional. Culturally, it’s about questioning “more is better”. Structurally, it’s about removing clutter, meetings and tasks. Emotionally, it’s about letting go of guilt, obligation and the need to respond to everything.
What I loved most is that you don’t need a big plan or meeting to start. You can just notice something that’s weighing you down and quietly remove it. It helped me straight away to let go of some books and clothes, drop a half-hearted project from my list and notice when I’m being reactive (more often than I realised).
Red Brick Thinking is a powerful, fuss-free way to create space in all areas of your life.
Thank you to Donna McGeorge and Wiley for the kind review copy.
October 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Red Brick Thinking is a book your future self will thank you for
What’s a decision my future self will thank me for?
What can I cut, say no to, or strategically subtract to make space for what matters most?
How can I create more time by doing less, not more?
These are questions I’m now asking daily - thanks to Donna McGeorge and her new book Red Brick Thinking.
It’s a sharp, practical read that flips the script on how we think about productivity and progress. Instead of cramming more in, Donna shows us how to step back, strip away, and make smarter choices with our time and energy.
It’s clear, useful, and it sticks. Highly recommended.
Red Brick Thinking is a book your future self will thank you for
What’s a decision my future self will thank me for?
What can I cut, say no to, or strategically subtract to make space for what matters most?
How can I create more time by doing less, not more?
These are questions I’m now asking daily - thanks to Donna McGeorge and her new book Red Brick Thinking.
It’s a sharp, practical read that flips the script on how we think about productivity and progress. Instead of cramming more in, Donna shows us how to step back, strip away, and make smarter choices with our time and energy.
It’s clear, useful, and it sticks. Highly recommended.
November 26, 2025
From the first page of this book I just took a deep breath and exhaled. Permission to do less. Permission to do what serves me and let go of what doesn’t. Permission to let go of obligations.
I’ve played with lots of great alignment and productivity tips in the past: first things first, eat the frog first, pomedoro technique, if it’s not a hell yes it’s a hell no, boundaries and so on. Donna wraps all these up in the simple concept of red bricks: remove the thing (s) that way you down and keep you off balance, suck your energy and you don’t need anymore.
I ‘red bricked’ a few things this year and the relief was palpable: life and work on my own terms. It feels great. Highly recommended.
I’ve played with lots of great alignment and productivity tips in the past: first things first, eat the frog first, pomedoro technique, if it’s not a hell yes it’s a hell no, boundaries and so on. Donna wraps all these up in the simple concept of red bricks: remove the thing (s) that way you down and keep you off balance, suck your energy and you don’t need anymore.
I ‘red bricked’ a few things this year and the relief was palpable: life and work on my own terms. It feels great. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews