HELL YEAH OR NO – what’s worth doing
by Derek Sivers
Recently had the pleasure of reading “Hell Yeah or No” by Derek Sivers, and it’s been a game-changer. This book doesn’t mince words; it’s straightforward, yet profoundly meaningful. It reminded me that even the smallest adjustments can lead to significant transformations. Sivers shows us how to stay focused on our true selves while embracing adventures, how to unlearn and relearn, and how every challenge is an integral part of our journey.
This book is one that I believe is worth revisiting at different stages of life. With time being our most precious resource, it’s crucial to prioritize what truly ignites our passion. Instead of struggling through mediocrity, let’s choose to wholeheartedly say “hell yeah” to the things that truly matter.
I have to smile, thinking about what my former self would say. But the former self is not always right. We shouldn’t preserve our first opinions as if they reflect our pure, untarnished, true nature. They’re often just the result of inexperience or a temporary phase. Old opinions shouldn’t define who we are in the future.
If I’m acting too undisciplined, I realize it’s because I’ve stopped vividly seeing my future. I can only see the present. If I’m acting too disconnected, I realize it’s because I’m obsessed with my goals. I can see only the future.
Saying no makes your yes more powerful.
Refuse almost everything. Do almost nothing. But the things you do, do them all the way.
Focus all of your energy on this one thing. Don’t be leisurely. Strike while it’s hot. Be a freak. Give it everything you’ve got.
The solution is deliberate unlearning. Doubt what I know. Stop the habit of thinking I know it. Require current proof that it’s still true today. Otherwise, let it go.
Being smart means thinking things through. It means trying to find the real answer, not the easiest answer. Being stupid means avoiding thinking by jumping to conclusions. Jumping to a conclusion is like quitting a game. You lose by default.
Fish don’t know they’re in water.
To make a change, you have to be extreme. Go all the way the other way. It will feel like overcompensating, but you have to stack a huge pile of bricks on the other side.
Fear is just a form of excitement, and you know you should do what excites you.