Hi Derek

It's a pleasure for me to say to yoy "Tranks" for share your history and how you make something special that you love. I hope create anything like CdBaby someday to help people to make their lives more simple and happy.

Tranks Again
Trank you ☺ — Derek

Thanks for sharing your journey, Derek.


P.S. It puzzles me how small number of the comments is here, at the end of the book, in comparison to every other article. Perhaps this fact was a nudge for my own comment.
I quietly posted it very recently, without announcement. — Derek

As the Buddha says, nobody can walk your path but you. Realizing this is probably the most liberating thing you'll ever know, or do.

Hi Derek,
I have read many books from many guest of the Tim Ferriss pod cast, Seth Godin, Ryan Holiday ect... While these guys have written some FANTASTIC books I can say without a doubt this short volume delivers more answers, inspiration, and overall great philosophy than any of the others. You really helped me make some decisions. You see there is an area of my business, I won't bore you, that I know could be done faster and maybe better if I would farm it out. But I really want to get good at it. Reading your book has helped me come to the conclusion that I need to make the time and really dig in to make it part of my art. When I get good at it I will be really happy and that is what it is about. Not bringing someone else in to churn out product faster just to make more profit.
Thank you for making all these points crystal clear in such an economic way.
Sincerely,
VICTOR
Pasadena California
Thanks Victor! — Derek

Picked your book up at a habitat for humanity store and have really enjoyed it. I looked up the meaning of abdicate as well. Thank you for the inspiration. I'm hoping I find someone to share your book with soon.

I am wanting to know if are going put money in account for me . I will tell you that I need to pay some bills off . because I have been real sick. now if lose this money because been sick. I will never tell any one again. I am in a WHEELCHAIR now I am going cry. Ann Kearney.

Thank you for a wonderful read!

I am 45 year old man, a full blooded navajo indn, a ceremonial singer, father of a 21 year old son who now lives on his own, a son who lives with his mom and she is going to to community college. I am unemployed with no savings or other income with 2 past felonies that prevented me from getting clearances to work at some jobs like teaching or using my degree working at companies that need a security clearance. I was sick since last year but am now feeling good again.

And, I am happy to breathe the air, to eat good food and drink good water, to be able to run everyday and to sing as the sun rises. The people are happy when I am around because I am sharing the sacred songs, teaching the words and the translations to other urban indns and their families, so we can all sing at yearly sundances, weekly sweat lodges and for our personal daily prayers.

Its the end of the month and I need rent, cell phone and insurance monies. I know these will be handled by me. I work hard and will find a way.

I want to say thank you for a great inspiring read. I feel uplifted and know now that anything is possible. I am talented in many areas and from your wisdom and advice in this book, I can feel the hope, passion and freedom to undertake a business or even just be a good human being. More importantly I havent laughed so hard in a long time reading your stories. Makes my heart full with understanding and your words made me feel like I was right there with you!

Thank you again!

All My Relations, Walk in Beauty,

Chuck

Dear Derek,

Thank you.

That's the most important part. Thank you for writing what you wrote, for your honesty and bravery to live life your way.

My husband and I started a business just over 6 months ago based on a dream. It's been amazing and freeing and tons of hard work and trying on our marriage and empowering beyond comprehension.

And then I started to feel like, "Hey, I'm a business owner. I need to think like a business owner. I should be reading businessy books about strategy and growth and blah blah blah."

But the thing is, I've never lived my life that way. I'm grateful to have grown up with parents that said "We just want you to be happy," and meant it - in whatever way that looked like for me. So I took my journey into my own hands and followed my whims and interests down a less than conventional path.

This morning I was getting ready to indulge in my reading time (one of my favorite parts of the day), and felt a sinking sensation. I didn't want to read that business book. So I didn't. I left that book 40 something percent read, and started flipping through my Kindle to see what was calling to me. And as you now know, your book drew me in.

This morning I realized that I was on the verge of veering into the conventional because I thought that was what needed to happen.

Thank you for keeping me on track. Not on road because I've never been going that way, but for reminding me that this is my life to live how I want.

As I sit here writing this part thank you note, part journal entry, I'm also realizing something else. Some other part of me that has been sitting quietly and patiently, waiting for me to remember it's there.

I don't need to ask any favors because I've already gotten them in droves from you this morning. So, can I buy you a pizza?

With gratitude,

Emma

Absolutely the most wisdom born of experience per word that I've read. Succinct, to the point, from the heart.
Thank you for writing this and sharing it with everyone.
May you find another great mission as a one-man band that you love and helps the world!

Hi Derek. I'm a current Berklee student, songwriter, and I have a business license for music publishing. Recently people have been moving in and out of my apartment building, and someone left a huge box of books in the lobby marked "free". Your book was on the top, and the cover fascinated me, so I picked it up and flipped through it in my living room. I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. Thanks for inspiring a terrified young musician to feel more confident and excited about her future.
How cool! — Derek

(I like Emma's comment at #8)

I relate to "trying to impress an invisible jury." (fourth to last paragraph) As an abuse survivor, I am still grasping that my invisible jury is like a roaring dinosaur.

Only a few years ago I was at the police station to report a minor fender bender. Happily I have enough growth and sense of humour to be able to tell the cop inside, after we had been out to look at my car, that I half expected to be yelled at. He chuckled and pointed to a seated cop, saying, "We could get him to yell at you, if you like." The other guy smiled.

Today I know that anyone over 21 who still believes in roaring at me for my mistakes is being a silly dinosaur, very silly.

Some very sensible and honest advice - and well-written too! As a former (small) business owner, I can definitely relate to a lot of what you said. Only one thing to add and that is to avoid if at all possible going into business with a good friend! You will spend more time with them than with a marriage partner and the inevitable strain will develop into fracture points at some stage. I suspect a family business might be the same. The key is probably to have some very clearly defined terms of reference with regard to responsibilities and decision-making powers, to consult frequently and regularly, and to remember none of us is perfect and we can all learn from our mistakes :) Thanks.

Derek,

Just want to thank you again. I am often in a funk, and bust when I need to get a different perspective.

You work gives me hope and can’t thank you enough for putting it out!

Steve

Hi Derek,
I just read your book in one day after having it recommended by the Six Figure Home Studio podcast. It was truly a fantastic story that provided me so many lessons, new ways of thinking, and inspiration. Thank you so much for helping myself and I'm sure countless others.

I am an audio engineer and have always wanted to follow in my parents' footsteps of being a business owner. I just never believed in myself to be able to do it. Any time I work for someone else I work 150% for them no matter what it is. But going off and doing something on my own in intimidating and concerning that it is all on me and what if I fail? My goal is to create a website for my mixing services for a specific niche/genre. I feel that I have the talent to do it, but I really just don't know where to start and before I've even done anything I am questioning whether I can do it or all of these "what if" scenarios. I mean, I quit my corporate job years ago and moved across the country to pursue what I love because I never want to regret not trying. But now I feel paralyzed by overthinking and potential failure. I'm curious if you ever experienced anything like this and how you overcame it or perhaps you just have some advice for me.

Again, I can't thank you enough for writing this book and also for creating CDBaby. My music partner and I have used it for years.

All the best,
Brian R.

I read all 40 blog entries this morning, Derek. Thank you, once again, for everything you are putting out "there". Your words are definitely propagating immense amounts of compound interest in the form of positive human experience.

Sincerely,
Alexander Benjamin Martinez

Derek,
Loved the book! Not a business owner (yet), just a college drop out. Glad I came across your work, take it easy

"Just pay close attention to what excites you and what drains you." Although it does resonate with me, but in my experience of life, in addition to what excites me, I've also learned to pay attention to what soothes me...quietens my mind, and what agitates/drains me. And I try to choose the former.

So now I want to ask you, Derek, if you had to choose between something that excites you, and something that makes you feel restful..quietens your mind, which one would you choose?
I choose the soothing for when I need to sleep or recuperate. But the rest of the time: excite. — Derek

Gracias.

Hi Derek,

I am grateful your book ended up in my hands as it shines a light on what really matters in life.

I wanted to have my own business for years and have to yet find my direction but I am grateful to read someone took an entrepreneurial road that is not lead by greed and more...more attitude.

I see it all day everyday around me amount my generation and it makes me question whether I should be wanting the same but my heart always told me that there is more to the entrepreneurship than getting larger and earning more and more money.

I hope to meet people like you in real life who have their heart at the right place. Non greed, label or trand driven like-minded friends is a dream of mine :)

I hope one day I can also actually define what activities make me happy and could turn it into helpful to people bussiness.

It's so hard for me to define my future now because I had semotional trauma in my life that keeps me scatterbraibed and feeling lost most of the time but in my heart I know I know I am capable of a lot and I want to help people, making just enough money to travel and enjoy nature.

Anyways, thanks for being you and staying you and for writing a book about it too.

Much love from San Diego.
Best, Keti

Thanks Derek, great read but shows the commitment required and the focus. Terrific ideas for any business.

Read it again. Loved to read Eye-opening decisions you made. And liked the advice you provide. Somewhat life changing stuff were here. Thanks Derek.

Hello Derek,

Hope you, your family and friends all doing well in this tumultuous time we live in.I will express my gratitude , express a selfish wish and ask 2 questions.

Gratitude:

Thanks for writing "Anything you want " and ever grateful to your friend Tim Ferris for his marvellous podcast with you, which I know by heart and translated it to my mum now she is into podcasts!

I love your blogs and book(s) but can't remember last time I had tears in my eyes while reading one and curiously not sure if it's joy or sadness that's provoking it.

Selfish ask:

I just finished the book and my first impulse was if only I get Derek Sivers to be my Guru ( my moonshot wish + the guru shishya ( disciple) tradition from Vedic culture)and ask him for guidance. Keith Ferrazi says in authentic networking one should lead with generosity rather than asking for anything first, I try to do that generally but in this case I have nothing to offer but many questions to ask and things to learn.

2 questions:


1. In a world which is driven by corporations and bottom lines I want to teach entrepreneurs and CEOs philosophies, as I believe philosophers and powerful homo sapiens should work together not in isolations. (Utopian scenario: All CEOS are Philosophers) . I am reaching out to many leading professors in UK and entrepreneurs with some success (where I am based as an immigrant business consultant staying in work VISA) but not effectively enough .I am good but not in a level where i can make significant impact. What should you do in my situation ? ( I understand sadly there is not enough context here )

2. In a world where everyone is trying to find connections over app to fall in love . I feel existing apps are not serving and helping most people, I see my friends and social circle across globe underwhelmed or settling in most cases.But loneliness can be powerful motivator to do such. Getting dates apparently not an issue but getting inspired or feel admiration for someone is.And the pandemic had eliminated the real world interactions on bumping into a cafe or wine tasting. I want to create an app, so writing out to digital anthropologists .I want it to do it with best intentions. I am world's inferior computer science engineer but a good problem solver( i love consulting job). After reading your book I want to give programming another go to solve a problem of mine and my friends. What programming language will you advise me to learn ? and in most you tube videos I watched to get a direction they are selling things.


It's fine if I never hear from you but will remain an admirer of your work.

Warm regards,
Nilormi

2.

Hi Derek.

I don't know if you'll read this but I'll ask you anyway.

I don't understand Steve Blank's phrase: no plan survives the first contact with customers. What does it mean?

And most importantly: how did you come to know what your passion was among so many feelings?

Thanks for sharing your experience.
A greeting from Barcelona.

Hi Derek

this is a truly inspring book because of your radical openess, practical insights, your humility and abilty to reflect, including admitting errors on the way.

Your lines made me completely rethink and refocus about my online master class for financial education targeted to everaday people (that most of the time get screwed by their bank teller or so called "indipendent" financial advisor).

Since it is not just a hobby anymore, I fell I've slipped into to trap of thinking mainly in business terms and what might be best for marketing the product and generating more sales.

I will do it more affordable now, put more extra help for people in the product and increase personal support from my side.

Thanks a lot for the mental u-turn I was able to make with your insights!

All the bests,

Philipp (Berlin // Germany)

Hi Derek,

Loved reading your book. It is an amazing story, very inspiring and told
in a very engaging manner. All the Best in whatever you are doing now - please let me know anytime you are in India and I would love to come and listen to you.

God Bless and Warm Regards,

Ajay

Hello Derek, loved the book. It was crisp and clear.
My question- how do I give myself the strength and courage to start something new on the side at an age of 29. I am a pm at a tech startup, I just started and I want to quit. What do I do?