Derek Sivers Quotes

Delegation doesn’t come naturally to any of us. But I was trying really hard to be good at it. I knew how important it was to get into the delegation mind-set. I was trying to empower my employees — to let them know they could make decisions on their own, without me.

Short-term thinking is the root of most of our problems, from pollution to debt, both personal and global.

No business plan survives first contact with customers.

Striving makes you happy.
Pursuit is the opposite of depression.
People at the end of their life, who said they were the happiest with their life, were the ones who had spent the most time in the flow of fascinating work.

No choice is inherently the best.
What makes something the best choice?
You.
You make it the best through your commitment to it.

The first follower is actually an underestimated form of leadership in itself. … The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader.

The past?
That’s what we call our memories.
The future?
That’s what we call our imagination.
Neither exists outside of your mind.
The only real time is this moment.
So live accordingly.
Whatever benefits you right now is the right choice.

You grow (and thrive!) by doing what excites
you and what scares you everyday, not by
trying to find your passion.

So if you want to help humanity while having the most exciting life, then the way to live is to be a famous pioneer.

So try to be wrong.
Try to disprove your beliefs.
Never believe something on faith.
Prove it or disprove it.
While other people have one idea that they think might work, you will have thousands you can prove didn’t work, and one you couldn’t make fail.

At every little decision, ten times a day, choose the thing you haven’t tried.
Act out of character.
It’s liberating.

Here’s how to live: Make memories.

Don’t worship your heroes.
Surpass them.

They did it saying, “We need the very best,” but it didn’t improve anything for the customers. Never forget that absolutely everything you do is for your customers. Make every decision — even decisions about whether to expand the business, raise money, or promote someone — according to what’s best for your customers. If you’re ever unsure what to prioritize, just ask your customers the open-ended question, “How can I best help you now?” Then focus on satisfying those requests.

The word “inspiration” usually means “something that mentally stimulates you.” But “inspiration” also means to breathe in. The meanings poetically combine when you think of yourself breathing in thoughts, filling your body with ideas. But don’t forget to breathe out.