How many push-ups could you do right now?
But how many could you do if you took a ten-minute break between each set?
Many more.
That’s the secret.
Take tiny breaks when working, to go longer than most.
— Derek Sivers

I used to love Derek’s writing. Not just his books but his blog too. At some point though, I think he ventured too far into the role of being a guru. Either that or ayuawaska.

In “How to Live: 27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion” Derek takes this to the fullest. The book is filled with really interesting thoughts, but the format it redundant in the extreme. Each chapter is one simplified way of looking at life, and it gets old really quickly.

I wont spoil the conclusion, but it’s not worth it. It’s just mystic hand waving.

If you are just starting to explore the world of philosophical ideas, this book might be very interesting to you! And Derek is very good at delivering punchy short phrases. But if you are widely read already, you can skip this one.

It works better as a coffee table book of short quotes. Here are some of my favourites:

You don’t get extreme results without extreme actions.
If you do what most people do, you get what most people get.
Don’t be normal.
— Derek Sivers

You weren’t meant to be idle.
You weren’t built for sitting and staring at screens.
— Derek Sivers

Your proudest moments were overcoming a struggle.
The best happiness comes after some pain.
The best waves on the beach can knock you over.
— Derek Sivers

Since you can’t avoid problems, just find good problems.
Happiness isn’t everlasting tranquility.
Happiness is solving good problems.
— Derek Sivers

Don’t be consistent with your past self.
Only idiots never change their mind.
— Derek Sivers

When you’re gone, your work shows who you were.
Not your intentions.
Not what you took in.
Only what you put out.
— Derek Sivers