How to Live: 27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion

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Hell Yeah to reading this book! Even if you've read some/most of these ideas in Derek's blog. Even if you think some/most of this is common sense. Get the book, grab a drink, sit down in a comfy place... and let the words sink in. Again and again. Reading it feels like a combination of talking with a dear friend who has your best interest at heart, listening to a wise mentor, and maybe even a dash of therapy. Time well spent... Here's an example, and one of my very favorites: he was buying a house to live in with his son. It had a big living room. But he didn't want a living room; he doesn't just sit around on a couch and hang out and relax like most people do in living rooms. But then he realized the room was just a room, and could be anything he wanted it to be. So he called it a "making room", a room where he and his son go to make things. A soon as he did that reframe, he loved the house. What I love about Derek is that he focuses on quality instead of quantity. This book contains so many gems, if you would re-read or re-listen to it every month, I'm convinced you would find new learnings every time. What really helps me to memorise most of the content are the great stories Derek used to transmit his messages. Best example: I still remember exactly how he describes his red face while riding his bike at a high speed!

I can't quite remember how I came across Derek Sivers, but there's a lot of "First Principles" thinking embedded throughout the notes/thoughts in this little book. Even if you are familiar with many of of these ideas, it was wonderful to see it all together in this very enjoyable collection. There are two books I would take with me on a desert island: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (written 180AD) and Hell Yeah or No by Derek Sivers (written 2020AD). There have been billions of books between these two book-ends— but these 2 direct your mind on a better, less worrisome path. Overall, bottom line is to develop or tune your "First Principles" (thinking or doing things from scratch). This is a easy to read collection that drives home that and similar ideas. Most of Montaigne’s thought consists of a series of realizations that life is not as simple as he has just made it out to be. My favorite sections were Updating Identity, Saying No, Making Things Happen, and Changing Perspective.Derek has perfected that ideal with this enlightening and enjoyable book, sharing real, core, valuable concepts and ideas, wrapped in the simplest of language.

Derek is a seasoned entrepreneur that knows the true secret to success—focus on ONE thing only and say NO to the rest. Kenneth Cole put it this way: I quote these vignettes in board meetings, meditation sessions, and to children. These short chapters are easily to relate to across all walks of life. The simplicity makes them so profound. I bought several of these books to share with friends. I didn’t buy enough.” It's a real gift when someone seizes your attention and makes you feel alive and engaged in a struggle with a challenging idea or problem. There is so much noise in the world. And so many books with long chapters and yet little meaning. These books are not worth reading. In brings mental calm. One cannot know the answer and feels it doesn’t matter, so one’s nonengagement causes no distress.Derek has a unique, welcomed approach to business and life. It has opened my mind to how I approach myself and others. I loved the conciseness of it and how tangible he wrote his advices while still keeping it open enough for a lot of people like myself to identify with.