My Emails with Entrepreneur Derek Sivers in 2019

My approach in reaching out to seemingly-impossible-to-get-in-touch-with guests for my podcast or emails, has been adopted from Tim Ferris' Four Hour Workweek.

I write to the person a genuine email having learned something they produced, whether a class or article, and share specifics about what I appreciated. This demonstrates that I actually read or listened and learned something.

Second, I add some credibility by sharing other well-known individuals who I have interviewed, along with what I have been doing and what my podcast is about.

Then, I ask them very specific questions which I'd like to ask them on my podcast, or via email.

That's methodically it. As per my mindset, I believe they will respond to me. Sometimes I just have to be a persistent.

Below is a helpful email chain I had with entrepreneur and author, Derek Sivers.

ME:

Hi Derek,

I know you're super busy and receive a lot of emails so this will only take 60 seconds to read... especially with your reading skills.

I came across your page after following Ben Greenfield for some time and like your book notes - and that you say they are

mainly for yourself haha. 

I checked your frequently asked questions and hope what I am about to ask has not been asked:

As our time is moving fast and the craze for "how do I optimize this" and the big "how can I read this faster," are becoming more and more popular - along with people saying you must read this book - what questions do you ask yourself when choosing a book (and the one to read after that)? I come across many fascinating books I'd like to read and not just skim through (even though I have this skill), so maybe the question is more about not getting overwhelmed by the number of great books out there haha

I totally understand if you're too busy to respond, but even a one-to-two line reply would really make my day.

Happy New Year!

All the best,

Solomon Berezin

Derek:

Hi Solomon -

Thanks for reaching out and taking the time to write that charming introduction!  Nobody's ever asked me this question.

Honestly it's all down to solving a current problem for me.  Like if I'm feeling like I want to be a better parent, i'll go get two new books on parenting and read them both this week.  (They always disagree.)  If I'm wondering what the future holds, I'll read a book about that.  If I think my life could be better with more discipline and habits, I'll find books on that.

And sometimes this is all up-ended if an author who I already love puts out a new book I'll just read it instantly even if it's not a current problem.

As for *which* book to read on a subject, I really rely on Amazon reviews.  Starting with the number of 5-star reviews, but then reading bad reviews too and seeing if it's the kind of complaints that would drive me away or not.  If they say it's too dense, I don't mind that.  If they say it goes on and on telling long stories that weren't needed, I'll skip it because I hate that.

Can you tell me anything more about yourself?  Like where you're at and what you're working on?   (Any URLs or social media profiles I can check out for context?)

Me: *wow he responded*

Thank you very much for the genuine response! It is a personal question I have been working out, so I am pleased that no one has asked it. I'd like to add a follow-up question but, since you asked (and I like talking about myself ;) ), I will tell you a little bit more about myself first:

This may take more than 60 seconds to read ;-)

This short story pretty much sums up all that has rapidly shifted my approach to life:

I graduated from college last May and was planning on spending this year finishing a 4+1 program and playing a final year of college basketball. Over the summer I was recovering from a concussion (got it last January in basketball) and felt a lot of stress. As I was moving back to Dallas for this final year, there was stress in me and I didn't know where from. Luckily, I was able to take my classes online and go back to Houston (while my parents went on vacay), and reflect. I meditated on where the stress was coming from. In short, meditating on this while reading Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza, I became aware that it was basketball at this school - coaching issues, injuries, not best people to be around, etc. So, I dropped it and instantly felt a healing release of committing to myself that resonated true. Then, I dropped the grad classes because the reason I was in them was that I had an additional year to play ball. Plus, it was effortless for me to read things on nutrition, psychology, epigenetics, flow-state, i.e things that resonated more so with me. 

Since then I have welcomed several spontaneous unfolding of events - that I'd love to talk to you more about - and started some of my own things as I manifest a career in these

concepts (like holistic health). They follow:

· My own website is Solomon Ezra where I share different stories or lessons I have learned. Over the past 2 years, I have felt so much joy with writing.

·The Gamut of Solomon Podcast (Now, 2026, Ebb & Flow) with the primary intention to

share and spread meaningful conversations with people (like yourself) who are doing their work in and of itself, not as a means to an end.

· In process of writing book(s)

·And getting crystal clear on my vision for the next 3-5 years.

The follow-up to my original question:

Perhaps the question comes from wanting to create a better structure with things to accomplish in a day. I will read one book but listen to podcasts that recommend other books or are on other subjects which may hinder obtaining info from either. And taking online courses in different subjects. So it's a lot of information coming from different streams

- books, podcasts, online courses.

Does it all mean that while you are reading one book, you are looking for the next one to

start? 

Hope this offers great info about myself and my question.

Derek:

Hi Solomon -

Ah, OK, I understand the context better.

In that case sometimes I feel that getting more and more information is actually an obstacle to productivity and creative output.

I always try to make my creative output be my first priority, and I only stop to read when I'm feeling burnt-out on creating.  And then I only ever read one book to completion (or if truly horrible then giving up before completion), and only then do I decide what book i want to read next.

I use Amazon's WishList to keep track of the hundreds of book that ever caught my attention, or another book said to read, or whatever.  Then when I'm feeling ready for a new book, I go browse my wishlist and see what I'm in the mood to read now.

Me:

Happy Monday Derek!

Funny enough, I had a big Aha moment this past week about exactly your first line of reply: "In that case sometimes I feel that getting more and more information is actually an obstacle to productivity and creative output."

That's exactly what I have been doing. I LOVE learning and am very open-minded, and would sometimes not consult with myself. Taking in all the information I have learned and

then deciding what's best for me right now.

I absolutely love your genuine response and am very grateful. I learned a valuable lesson

this past week that my creative output need by > or = my information input. 

Since the creative output is your first priority, what does your morning routine look like?

Many other influential people will start the day reading; does your focus, mean you start the

day writing, or creating?

Thanks for playing part in my lesson!

Derek:

Hi Solomon -

Ha! I have no answer to that. No morning routine AT ALL.  Never have.  Maybe never will.  No daily routine at all, really.  I just tend to get really into one thing at a time and throw myself into it completely.  I don't do the "little bit of this + little bit of that" approach to my day.

Please consider getting on my private email list, here: https://sivers.org/list/391292/Abic

There are some private things that I only email to my list, like when I'm hiring, or quietly launching a preview of something new.

I post my public updates at https://twitter.com/sivers and of course https://sivers.org/now  So I hope we keep in touch, either way. 

Me:

Thanks, Derek, I subscribed to your email list! I look forward to when you're hiring.

Interesting approach and that's incredible that you are able to jump right in. How many things do you tend to do in a day then?

looking forward to building a relationship with you.

Derek:

Hi Solomon -

That's great! 

I don't think I've ever thought about my day in the number of things I got done. For me, that's the wrong way to look at things because the things I enjoy doing usually take time. Typically, I do one thing at a time and throw myself into it completely. Right now, that's editing my book, Hell Yeah or No.

Me:

Derek,

I wanted to take the time to really thank you again for consistently writing back to me, it means a lot. 

I looked into Hell Yea or No and got excited to read more of it. It really helps put things into perspective. 

I have been getting great clarity on a path I want to take and an intention like to be a credible, transformational leader in health and fitness.