E277 Derek Sivers - Optimize Yourself for Creating and Learning and Thrive in Life and in Business by Constantly Reflecting, Questioning, Doubting and Surprising Yourself

Have you found your passion, purpose, and meaning? What’s the key to thriving in your business or any endeavor? How can you optimize yourself for creating and learning? Do you always need money to start something?   Writer, thinker, programmer, TED speaker, circus clown, musician, and former entrepreneur Derek Sivers answers these searing questions in today’s episode. He justifies the consequence of saying no to most things in his life and offers advice on navigating conflicting philosophies and opposing views. He highlights the impact of constantly reflecting, questioning, and doubting your thinking in order to grow and thrive. Listen now and be prepared to expand your mind and ask bigger questions.   Key Points from This Episode: How would Derek Sivers describe his philosophy? Derek’s backstory and how his monomaniacal focus on becoming a musician shaped him. How did Derek recognize at such an early age what his purpose in life was? Derek’s advice on finding one’s passion and purpose in life. Why Derek says no to almost everything and his advice for people who want to do the same. Why starting with no money at any endeavor is an advantage. Why any business endeavor is about helping other people. Why the need to look for a different perspective of things has been the norm and way of life for Derek. Why it is important to remember that belief in something is not necessarily based on its truth but on our choice to believe and accept it because it is useful to us. Why Derek puts greater value on what he can be instead of what he can have. Derek talks about his practice of journaling. Derek answers the rare-air questionnaire. Tweetables: “I choose beliefs because they're useful not because they're true.”- Derek Sivers   “It doesn't matter what you're pursuing, as long as you have something that you're pursuing, then everything has drive and purpose and meaning.” - Derek Sivers   “My big success in life, monetarily at least, came from trying everything and seeing what the world would reward me for.”- Derek Sivers   “Why do people believe things that aren't true? It's because they have been useful to them to believe that.”- Derek Sivers   “I read a lot of books but it's not until I stop and reflect on them later, that I feel like I've really internalized it and learned it.”- Derek Sivers   “I really enjoy doubting everything I think.”- Derek Sivers   “It's really useful to constantly question what you're doing and make sure that you know why you're doing it and often it will give you some completely new insight.”- Derek Sivers   “It's who you become, it's not about what you attain or obtain through that path of mastery. ” - Tyler Chesser   “A way to be surprised constantly is to keep yourself living in places that are strange to you.” - Derek Sivers “The big realizations that may change your life for the better don't come unless you spend some time reflecting, questioning, and doubting your own answers.”- Derek Sivers   Links Mentioned: Visit Derek Sivers' website Books recommended by Derek Sivers Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness by Ichiro Kishimi, Fumitake Koga  Invest with CF Capital   About Derek Sivers Derek Sivers is an author of philosophy and entrepreneurship, known for his surprising quotable insights and pithy succinct writing style. He’s a former entrepreneur, founder of CD Baby, and a prolific writer, thinker, programmer, TED speaker, circus clown and musician. He sold CD Baby for $22 million and gave all the money to charity.  He has optimized himself for creating and learning, and has cut most extraneous things from his life. Sivers’ books (How to Live, Hell Yeah or No, Your Music and People, Anything You Want) and newest projects are at his website: sive.rs