Derek Sivers on How to Negotiate Anything, The Joys of Parenthood & Why Nothing You Believe is True
The Inner Frontier with Jonny MillerShow Notes
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: [email protected] 📚 Derek's Book Reviews 🙋♂️ Derek's /now page 📖 Buy his masterpiece How to Live (don't buy on Amazon!)
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