Don't be on your deathbed someday, having squandered your one chance at life, full of regret because you pursued little distractions instead of big dreams.
Derek SiversRead
I realized why I need to start a new company. Not for the money. Not because I'm 'bored'. But because a company is a laboratory to try your ideas.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship as a means to explore and test new ideas, rather than simply for financial gain.
Derek Sivers highlights that the motivation behind starting a new company goes beyond monetary benefits or a desire to alleviate boredom. Instead, he views a company as an experimental space, a laboratory where one can bring ideas to life and innovate. This perspective encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on creativity and personal growth through their ventures.
In practice
During a business seminar discussing innovation, I shared this quote to inspire budding entrepreneurs.
Don't be on your deathbed someday, having squandered your one chance at life, full of regret because you pursued little distractions instead of big dreams.
Everyone who became great at something has a similar story: For years, they worked on their craft every day, even if they weren’t in the mood. Always pushing, practicing, working, and improvingYes it takes thousands of hours of practice, but that’s good news! It’s a clear path and it’s under your control.
Success always necessitates a degree of ruthlessness. Given the choice of friendship or success, I'd probably choose success.
The outside world wants me to have glamour; my fans want me glamorous. I won't let them down.
The thing I remember best about successful people I've met all through the years is their obvious delight in what they're doing and it seems to have very little to do with worldly success. They just love what they're doing, and they love it in front of others.
Before dreaming about the future or marking plans, you need to articulate what you already have going for you - as entrepreneurs do.
I tell people in their careers, 'Look for growth. Look for the teams that are growing quickly. Look for the companies that are doing well. Look for a place where you feel that you can have a lot of impact.'
When you're 0-2 in the Super Bowl, they say unkind things about you. They say, 'He can't win the big one.' And that's the worst thing that can be said about you.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.