I just thought Derek Sivers was an interesting guy that I saw on the internet one day, then, upon perusing his website, I saw that he happened to be living in Nelson at the time. So I sent him an email which basically said “Hey, I think I’m mildly interesting, you look rad, want to have lunch with me?” He replied with a “Sure strange man from the internet…” So I waited to get a good grab-a-seat deal for a flight to Nelson and went down for a couple of hours for lunch.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you make new friends…
Here’s Derek’s answers to five of my questions:
What’s the one book that has had the most impact on your mental health and why?
Tony Robbins’ “Awaken the Giant Within“, I read it when I was 19 and it had a huge impact on me. Read it again at 21, 23, 25, etc. It permanently changed the way I think.
Where is your happy place?
Queen Elizabeth Park in Paekakariki, Wellington, with my kid.
When everything starts falling apart, what’s the one thing that brings you back to calm?
Reading the book “When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chödrön. I love that mindset.
Do you have a quote that you live your life by?
“Whatever scares you, go do it.” It works on the small day-to-day stuff, but also the big life decisions.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Keep reading lots of books. Take notes and take them to heart.
You know what I get from Derek’s answers? Read. Reading can give you the insights from someones entire life of trials and successes in a day or so. Reading can give you perspective that can completely change the course of your life. And reading can give you really great insights into how to improve your mental health on an ongoing basis…
Derek has read hundreds of books and just for your benefit, he has written detailed notes on all of them! Check them out here…
And while you’re at it… I’ve got a good book you could read…
Much love,
