Derek Sivers Quotes

But revolution is a term that people use only when you’re successful. Before that, you’re just a quirky person who does things differently.

Four years before I started CD Baby, as I was recording my first album, I needed to borrow $20,000 to buy studio equipment. My dad said, “Instead of my lending you money, start a corporation. Then the family business can buy shares in your corporation.

Go make memories.
Do memorable things.
Experience the unusual.
Pursue novelty.
Replace your routines.
Live in different places.
Change your career every few years.
These unique events will become anchors for your memories.

This is an orchestra. You are the composer and conductor.

Whatever excites you, go do it. Whatever drains you, stop doing it.

Delegate but don't abdicate

People often ask me what they can do to be moresuccessful. I say disconnect. Even if just for a few hours. Unplug. Turn off your phone and Wi-Fi. Focus. Write. Practice. Create. That’s what’s rare and valuable these
days.

You get no competitive edge from consuming the same stuff everyone else is consuming.

But if the problem were truly solved, that business would no longer be needed! So the business accidentally or unconsciously keeps the problem around so that they can keep solving it for a fee.

Even if you want to be big someday, remember that you never need to act like a big boring company. Over ten years, it seemed like every time someone raved about how much he loved CD Baby, it was because of one of these little fun human touches.

We want to see the world clearly and know what’s what. But once we’re past the first stage of wisdom, the next stage involves adapting to new changes. We don’t get wise just by adding and adding. We also need to subtract.

You are the way you are because of what you’ve experienced.

You don’t love someone to shape their future.
You don’t judge your friendships by how successful your friend becomes.
So don’t love and judge your children that way.
Don’t try to change them.
Just give them a great environment where they can thrive.
Give them the safety to experiment, make mistakes, and fail up.

Business is as creative as the fine arts. You can be as unconventional, unique, and quirky as you want. A business is a reflection of the creator.

Success in business comes from helping people — bringing the most happiness to the most people.

Here’s how to live: Value only what has endured.