On how to live

One of my favourite books is How to Live by my friend Derek Sivers.

It’s 27 conflicting chapters on how to live. Here are the first ten:

1. Here's how to live: Be independent.

2. Here's how to live: Commit.

3. Here's how to live: Fill your senses.

4. Here's how to live: Do nothing.

5. Here's how to live: Think super-long-term.

6. Here's how to live: Intertwine with the world.

7. Here's how to live: Make memories.

8. Here's how to live: Master something.

9. Here's how to live: Let randomness rule.

10. Here's how to live: Pursue pain.

Each one makes sense and is compelling.

And obviously, they are all contradictory.

This has completely changed how I hear advice. People share one version of how to live, and they say with conviction, "Here’s the way to do it."

And now I hear, “Here is one way to live that’s worked for me, given my set of strengths, circumstances, and pathologies.”

And of course, the same applies to any area. Here’s how to grow a business. Here’s how to make money. Here’s how to be healthy.