Derek Sivers on How to Negotiate Anything, The Joys of Parenthood & Why Nothing You Believe is True

When I first started this podcast, I had Derek Sivers in mind as the archetypal curious human — and to this day, I think of him as one of the most interesting and provocative philosophers of life. His career path involved joining the circus as a ringleader, then becoming a professional musician and touring, building a company and selling it for $22 million dollars, then giving most of the money away to charity, then becoming a TED speaker and author... to now where he's a minimalist living in New Zealand as a full-time dad.In this conversation, you can expect to learn the following:

🏙️  His unexpected love affair with Dubai
🤔  Why nothing you believe is actually true
📝  How he journals to find sanity for himself
🤝  What he's learned about negotiation skills
🛠️  Why he created a 'Making Room' in his house
🗺️  How it's possible to have too much freedom in your life
👨‍👦  Why he feels that his son is his best friend and soulmate
Timestamps[00:08:56] Derek didn't have much curiosity until later in life.[00:12:20] Rebellious streak seeks balance in all situations.[00:18:55] Having total freedom can feel disorienting.[00:25:17] Choose independence, then commit for best results.[00:29:14] We don't really know why we do things.[00:35:00] Journaling: Derek's way to process thoughts and find clarity.[00:43:32] Brain awake, busy day of writing.[00:49:48] Sister's chaotic household convinced me: no kids.[00:54:45] Choosing mice for breeding: defying expectations.[00:57:08] Teach kids to talk confidently and be makers.[01:05:56] Money obsession feels like a mental disorder.[01:10:52] The Red Cross can't do much, donate wisely.[01:17:38] Negotiate Anything by Herb Cohen is a book full of relatable stories that emphasize the idea that everything is negotiable. The author, a professional negotiator, shares his experiences and challenges the notion of non-negotiable things. It's a thought-provoking read that sticks with you.[01:21:05] Book: "You Can Negotiate Anything" - rating: 10/10. Talks about realizing power in any situation. Prisoner example shows hidden power. Violence comes from feeling powerless. Realize your power in any situation. Must-read.[01:27:15] Movies portrayed sex as something men want, women don't.[01:32:45] Dubai is a fascinating, diverse and foreigner-filled place.[01:38:45] Python: a newfound love, Dubai.[01:44:21] Aspiration: be read even after death.
Official Links✉️ Email Derek personally here: derek@sivers.org
📚 Derek's Book Reviews
🙋‍♂️ Derek's /now page
📖 Buy his masterpiece How to Live (don't buy on Amazon!)
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