Are you trapped in a life you didn't consciously choose?

Do you find yourself constantly reacting to demands rather than intentionally responding? Are you seeking a more deliberate way to live and lead that creates impact without burning you out?

In this episode, Derek Sivers shares counterintuitive wisdom about breaking free from unconscious patterns, embracing slow thinking in a reactive world, and designing a life that truly reflects your choices rather than obligations.

We discuss:

• The power of conscious choice: Derek reveals how recognising the difference between "have to" and "choose to" transformed his relationship with his successful business and ultimately led him to sell it.
• Slow thinking as a leadership advantage: Learn why pausing before responding leads to more original ideas, better decisions, and more meaningful connections with others.
• Breaking free from the zeitgeist: Discover how creating distance from mainstream thinking can become your competitive advantage in developing unique perspectives.
• The simplification technique: Derek explains how clarifying and simplifying complex problems often reveals the solution without needing outside expertise.

Derek is a writer, musician, programmer, and entrepreneur who founded CD Baby (which he sold in 2008 after growing it into the largest seller of independent music online). Now focused on writing and sharing unconventional wisdom, Derek approaches life with deliberate intentionality.

In our conversation, we cover:

• Why Derek sees moving and changing perspective as essential to growth and learning
• How to recognise when you're following "useful but not true" assumptions that limit your options
• The transformative practice of journaling and how it clarifies thinking
• Why creating a life without an audience to impress can lead to more authentic choices
• The value of unhurried productivity in a world obsessed with speed
• How asking better questions often matters more than finding answers

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