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

Derek Sivers Quotes

In the end, it’s about what you want to be, not what you want to have.

— Derek Sivers

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

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

Success comes from persistently improving and inventing, not from persistently promoting what’s not working.

— Derek Sivers

If it’s not a hit, switch.

— Derek Sivers

It was the first follower that transformed the lone nut into a leader.

— Derek Sivers

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

Don’t pursue business just for your own gain. Only answer the calls for help.

— Derek Sivers

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

Obvious to you is amazing to others.

— Derek Sivers

Are you helping people? Are they happy? Are you happy? Are you profitable? Isn’t that enough?

— Derek Sivers

How you do anything is how you do everything. Your “character” or “nature” just refers to how you handle all the day-to-day things in life, no matter how small.

— Derek Sivers

Consistency

Go find very early versions of things: the first TV pilot of a later-successful TV show; early audition tapes by famous actors; early demos by famous musicians. Focus on these early examples, not what they became over the next 20 years. Remember that what you’re doing will constantly improve.

— Derek Sivers

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

The most brilliant idea, with no execution, is worth $20. The most brilliant idea takes great execution to be worth $20,000,000.

— Derek Sivers

I’m not interested until I see their execution.

— Derek Sivers

Never forget why you’re really doing what you’re doing.

— Derek Sivers

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

Ideas are just a multiplier of execution.

— Derek Sivers

The creative person basically has two kinds of jobs: One is the sexy, creative kind. Second is the kind that pays the bills. Sometimes the task at hand covers both bases, but not often.

— Derek Sivers

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