The story Derek Sivers shared:
“Don’t forget the joy of learning and doing. Maybe it takes you longer. Maybe it’s inefficient. Maybe you miss million-dollar opportunities because your business grows slower since you’re doing everything yourself. But above all, if you’re happy—that’s what matters!”
This reflection truly convinced me that the happiness of being an entrepreneur comes from your own experience, not from revenue figures or public validation.
Success isn't always defined by scale—sometimes, it’s simply about waking up each day and doing what you love.
In this final part, we turn inward—to the emotions, values, and inner compass of a founder. Through deeply personal stories, Derek Sivers reminds us that true happiness in entrepreneurship doesn’t come from growth metrics, headlines, or funding rounds—but from the joy of doing, learning, and living on your own terms.
Feel Pain When You Write Poorly
Derek once spent an entire day rewriting an email just to ensure every single sentence was clear. Why?
Because one confusing line could cost $5,000.
He warns against websites full of impressive design but bloated, meaningless words.
If those same creators had to send their writing to thousands of people, they’d feel the true cost of unclear communication.
Your Most Successful Email Might Be the Simplest
When trying to scale, most founders think they need “big ideas.”
But often, it’s the little things that win hearts and referrals.
Example: Derek customized the “From” field in every email to say,
“CD Baby loves [Customer Name]”
—so Susan would get an email titled “CD Baby loves Susan.”
That personal touch was what people remembered.
Make Everything Easier
You don’t truly know someone’s fit until they’ve worked a few weeks.
That’s why Derek kept hiring and firing simple—and he rarely had to fire, because great people were drawn to the culture.
Trust the Natural Order of Things
Amid chaos, choose what feels right—not what others expect you to do.
Be Ready to Grow
If your systems can only handle what you’re doing now, your company is sending the message:
“We’re maxed out.”
But if your internal operations are designed to handle 2x the workload, the message becomes:
“We’re ready. Bring it on.”
What You Feel > What You Own
Sure, doing everything yourself may slow your company down.
Yes, you may miss out on “million-dollar opportunities.”
But if you’re happy—truly happy—that’s what counts.
“Don’t forget the joy of learning and doing.”
The Day Steve Jobs Criticized Me
Derek recalls a time when Steve Jobs indirectly criticized his company in a speech.
His takeaway? Never promise customers something beyond your true capacity.
Delegate, Don’t Abdicate
There’s a massive difference between being self-employed and being a business owner.
You think you’re free—until the day you take time off and your company collapses.
A real business owner can leave for a year and come back to find things running better.
Delegate responsibility. But don’t abdicate it.
Abdication is walking away. Delegation is leading from a distance.
Knowing When to Sell
People often asked, “How did you know it was time to sell CD Baby?”
Derek’s answer: “You’ll just know.”
In the story he shares, it wasn’t about money—it was about freedom.
Why I Sold My Company to Give It Away
By the time Derek sold CD Baby, he had everything he needed.
He lived simply. No house. No car. Not even a TV.
“The less I owned, the freer I felt.”
That freedom allowed him to give his fortune to charity—because he already had what mattered.
You Create Your Own Perfect World
Many will tell you you’re on the wrong path.
But only you know when you’re being your authentic self—or performing to impress.
Even if your approach slows down growth, if it brings you joy, keep doing it.
It’s your life. Your world. You get to build it your way.
Translated by: Ta Huong Thao – Program Coordinator for Capacity Building at KisStartup
Source: Paul Minors
At KisStartup, we believe founders don’t always have time for full-length books. So we offer deeply thoughtful summaries—concise, essential, and just 5 minutes per read.
With the recommendation of Phan Dinh Tuan Anh from SME Mentoring 1:1, we discovered Paul Minors’ well-curated book summaries. With permission, we selected the most valuable titles for Vietnamese startups, reviewed their original versions, and translated them into Vietnamese with care.
This work was carried out by our team—including Ta Huong Thao—with the hope that, like us, you’ll find wisdom, perspective, and energy from each book we share.
“The hard thing is not setting big, bold goals. The hard thing is having to fire people when you don’t meet them.”
– Ben Horowitz
Let’s keep learning, growing, and creating—together.
Nguyen Dang Tuan Minh
Manager & Co-founder, KisStartup
STARTUP KNOWLEDGE | ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING | BOOKS FOR FOUNDERS
Tags: 5 Minutes a Day: Startup Books, Anything You Want, Startup Happiness, Delegation vs Abdication, KisStartup
