How to Live: 27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion

by Derek Sivers

You can’t be free without self-mastery. Your past indulgences and habits might be addictions. Quit a harmless habit for a month, just to prove you can.

If it’s not important, never do it. If it’s important, do it every day.

There’s no deeper happiness than wanting nothing.

When a problem is bothering you, it feels like you need to do something about it. Instead, identify what belief is really the source of your trouble.

Many huge achievements are just the result of little actions done persistently over time.

You need ritual, not inspiration. Every day, no matter what, you must practice.

You live to push, pull, climb, and grow.

Most problems are not about the real present moment. They’re anxiety, worried that something bad might happen in the future. They’re trauma, remembering something bad in the past. But none of them are real.

Deep happy is conquering yourself.

Imagine if you found out someone was going to die tomorrow. Imagine how much attention, compassion, and generosity you’d give them. Imagine how you’d forgive their faults. Imagine what you’d do to make their last day on Earth the best it could be. Now treat everyone like that, every day.