If you set up your business as you don’t need the money, people are happier to pay you.
—Derek Sivers
Confidence is attractive, but vulnerability is disarming.
—Derek Sivers
Because we grew up surrounded by big dramatic story arcs in books and movies, we think our lives are supposed to be filled with huge ups and downs! That’s why we act like everything that happens to us is such a big deal. We’re trying to make our life into a fairy tale.
—Derek Sivers
If you think revolution needs to feel like war, you’ll overlook the importance of simply serving people better.
—Derek Sivers
Anything you hate to do, someone else loves. So, find that person and let him do it.
—Derek Sivers
Don’t be on your deathbed someday, having squandered your one chance at life, full of regret because you pursued little distractions instead of big dreams.
—Derek Sivers
When you say “no” to most things, you leave room in your life to throw yourself completely into that rare thing that makes you say “HELL YEAH!”
—Derek Sivers
Care about your customers more than about yourself, and you’ll do well.
—Derek Sivers
The first follower is actually an underestimated form of leadership in itself. … The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader.
—Derek Sivers
If you find even the smallest way to make people smile, they’ll remember you more for that smile than for all your other fancy business-model stuff.
—Derek Sivers
Starting small puts 100% of your energy on actually solving real problems for real people. It gives you a stronger foundation to grow from.
—Derek Sivers
When one customer wrongs you, remember the hundred thousand who did not.
—Derek Sivers
Just pay close attention to what excites you and what drains you. Pay close attention to when you’re being the real you and when you’re trying to impress an invisible jury.
—Derek Sivers
Any business that is in business to sell you a cure is motivated not to focus on prevention.
—Derek Sivers
In the end it is about what you want to be, not what you want to have.
—Derek Sivers
To me, ‘busy’ implies that the person is out of control of their life.
—Derek Sivers
Starting with no money is an advantage. You don’t need money to start helping people.
—Derek Sivers
Trust, but verify. Remember it when delegating. You have to do both.
—Derek Sivers
Most people don’t know why they’re doing what they’re doing. They imitate others, go with the flow, and follow paths without making their own. They spend decades in pursuit of something that someone convinced them they should want, without realizing that it won’t make them happy. Don’t.
—Derek Sivers
Whatever excites you, go do it. Whatever drains you, stop doing it.
—Derek Sivers
Delegate but don’t abdicate
—Derek Sivers
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.
—Derek Sivers
If you think your life’s purpose needs to hit you like a lightning bolt, you’ll overlook the little day-to-day things that fascinate you.
—Derek Sivers
It’s a big world. You can loudly leave out 99% of it. People in that 1% will come to you because you have shown how much you value them.
—Derek Sivers
You grow (and thrive!) by doing what excites you and what scares you everyday, not by trying to find your passion.
—Derek Sivers
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Wally Amos American Entrepreneur
- Seth Godin American Entrepreneur
- Ben Casnocha American Entrepreneur, Investor
- Herb Kelleher American Entrepreneur
- Robert Ringer American Entrepreneur
- Brad Feld American Entrepreneur, Investor
- Bill Gates American Businessperson
- Jeff Bezos American Businessman
- Michael Bloomberg American Businessperson
- Ted Turner American Businessperson
Leave a Reply