Hell Yeah or No: What’s Worth Doing by Derek Sivers

In his new book ‘Hell Yeah or No: What’s Worth Doing,’ Derek Severs writes about how small actions can change your life:

(This post first appeared on Derek Sivers’ blog in 2008).

“When we think about what’s worth doing, we usually think of big things.

But when you hear the stories of how people get successful, they usually start with one little action:

• Saying yes when someone asked for volunteers.
• Approaching a celebrity
• Reading one book or taking one course

That one little action changes how you think about yourself.

Having taken that one step, you start to think of yourself as brave, or an achiever, or a bit of an expert on a subject.

You do just one thing that makes you feel generous, so you start to act generous, so you become generous.

You do just one thing that makes you feel like a leader, so you start to act like a leader, so you become a leader.

The world treats you as you treat yourself.

Your actions show the world who you are.

You won’t act differently until you think of yourself differently.

So start by taking one small action that will change your self-identity.

— Derek Sivers, ‘Hell Yeah or No: What’s Worth Doing‘