Quote

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

Derek Sivers

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Derek Sivers
Age: 55
Born: 1969
Born: September 22
Businessperson
Musician
the United States of America
Stop
Whatever
Excites
Drains

More quotes by Derek Sivers

Image
If it's not a hit, switch.
Derek Sivers
Image
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
Image
Don’t pursue business just for your own gain. Only answer the calls for help.
Derek Sivers
Image
Are you helping people? Are they happy? Are you happy? Are you profitable? Isn't that enough?
Derek Sivers
Image
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
Image
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
Image
It was the first follower that transformed the lone nut into a leader.
Derek Sivers
Image
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
Image
It's only a little difficult to say no. You've got to believe that the work you're doing is ultimately more useful to the world.
Derek Sivers
Image
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.
Derek Sivers
Image
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
Image
When you make a business, you get to make a little universe where you control all the laws.
Derek Sivers
Image
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.
Derek Sivers
Image
There is no movement without the first follower. See, we are told that we all need to be leaders but that would be ineffective. The best way to make a movement, if you really care, is to courageously follow and show others how to follow.
Derek Sivers
Image
If I’m not saying ‘Hell Yeah!’ to something, then I say no.
Derek Sivers
Image
In the end, it's about what you want to be, not what you want to have.
Derek Sivers
Image
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.
Derek Sivers
Image
The most important lesson is probably to spend less than you earn.
Derek Sivers
Image
You can't please everyone, so proudly exclude people.
Derek Sivers
Image
Learning. It's really the primary reason behind everything I do. Programming, entrepreneuring, writing.
Derek Sivers