Derek Sivers

Don’t let ideas into your head or heart without your permission.

Being independent means you can’t blame others.
Decide everything is your fault.
Whoever you blame has power over you, so blame only yourself.
When you blame your location, culture, race, or history, you’re abdicating your autonomy.

Don’t worry about being lonely.
Nothing is more lonely than being with the wrong person.

You can’t be free without self-mastery.

You don’t see things as they are.
You see them as you are.

No choice is inherently the best.
What makes something the best choice?
You.
You make it the best through your commitment to it.
Your dedication and actions make any choice great.

When you’re stuck with something, you find what’s good about it.
When you can’t change your situation, you change your attitude towards it.

Let go of every unnecessary obligation.
Each one seems small, but together, they’ll drain your soul.
Focus your attention on the few things you’re committed to, and nothing else.

Rockets use most of their fuel in the first minute of flight, to escape the pull of gravity.
Once they get outside that pull, it’s effortless.
Same with your habits.
Starting is hard.
The rest is easy.

New habits are what you’re trying.
Old habits are who you are.

Most of being a good person is not doing bad.
Don’t be cruel or selfish.
Don’t lie or steal.
Just do no harm.

People always think they need to do something.