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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

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Derek Sivers
Age: 55
Born: 1969
Born: September 22
Businessperson
Musician
the United States of America
Actually
Underestimated
Form
Lone
Firsts
Followers
First
Nuts
Motivation
Leadership
Leader
Follower
Inspiration
Transforms

More quotes by Derek Sivers

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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
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Most people don't know what they're talking about. They move their mouth and say things because they don't want to admit they don't know. Or they think they know, but it's just confabulation and biases. So ignore them unless what they say resonates with some real wisdom inside of you. Assume they're a fool and find out the truth for yourself.
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Customer service is the new marketing.
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It was the first follower that transformed the lone nut into a leader.
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Five years after I started CD Baby, when it was a big success, the media said I had revolutionized the music business. 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.
Derek Sivers
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If you really care about starting a movement, have the courage to follow and show others how to follow. And when you find a lone nut doing something great, have the guts to be the first one to stand up and join in.
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Make every decision—even decisions about whether to expand the business, raise money, or promote someone—according to what's best for your customers.
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Don’t pursue business just for your own gain. Only answer the calls for help.
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If you want to be useful, you can always start now. It will be a humble prototype of your grand vision, but you’ll be in the game. Start by teaching someone this week. Starting small puts 100% of your energy into solving real problems for real people.
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If you're not saying 'Hell Yeah' about something, say 'No'.
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Business is not about money. It's about making dreams come true for others and for yourself.
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You can't please everyone, so proudly exclude people.
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Whatever excites you, go do it. Whatever drains you, stop doing it.
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The most brilliant idea, with no execution, is worth $20. The most brilliant idea takes great execution to be worth $20,000,000.
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If you keep thinking about putting on a conference or being a Hollywood screenwriter, and you find the idea terrifies but intrigues you, it's probably a worthy endeavor for you. You grow (and thrive!) by doing what excites you and what scares you everyday, not by trying to find your passion.
Derek Sivers
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You're free to do anything you want with your company. It's more like art. You don't have to follow any norms. It's an expression of how you feel the world should be. When you make a company, that's your little place to make your own little utopia.
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Pay close attention to when you're being the real you & when you're trying to impress an invisible jury.
Derek Sivers
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In the end, it's about what you want to be, not what you want to have.
Derek Sivers
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Learning. It's really the primary reason behind everything I do. Programming, entrepreneuring, writing.
Derek Sivers
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The single most important thing is to make people happy. If you are making people happy, as a side effect, they will be happy to open up their wallets and pay you.
Derek Sivers