Useful Not True: whatever works for you

by Derek Sivers

What you will learn:

Personal effectiveness

“Useful Not True” is about reframing.

Success in anything starts with your perspective which affects your strategy — your actions.

Your first thought (“this is a disaster”) feels true, but it’s not the only perspective.

Your first thought is an obstacle you need to get past by realizing no thoughts are necessarily true.

After your initial impulse, consider other perspectives, then choose the thought that’s more useful to you — the one that makes you take effective actions.

Understanding others

People share perspectives, not facts. They tell you how they see things.

Like someone across the world telling you the time. Maybe it’s true for them, but not for you, and not for most other people.

Brains lie to their owners. Nobody knows the real reasons why they do anything.

When someone says, “I believe…”, then whatever they say next is not a fact. No beliefs are necessarily true.

Beliefs are perspectives. Explanations are confabulated. Obligations are wishes. Rules are arbitrary. They’re useful, but not necessarily true.

Knowing this gives you empathy, as you understand people’s incentives behind their beliefs.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Personal Development

90 pages, Hardcover

Published June 21, 2024

About the author

Derek Sivers is an author of philosophy and entrepreneurship, known for his surprising quotable insights and pithy succinct writing style.

Formerly a musician, programmer, TED speaker, and circus clown, he sold his first company for $22 million and gave all the money to charity.

Sivers’ books (How to Live, Hell Yeah or No, Your Music and People, Anything You Want) and newest projects are at his website: https://sive.rs/

Reviews

[Santhosh Guru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books by Derek Sivers have always been a mixed bag for me. Like he says, it's either "hell yeah" or "no." Many of his previous books didn't strike a chord, even though many friends praised them.

But this one was perfect—a "hell yeah." It is a short collection of concise essays. The essays meditate on truth, how to change perspectives or reframe narratives, and my favourite part was asking good questions. It is quite a short and good read. Give it a try.

[Johan Pelgrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of good gems from Derek again. I love the way he thinks and writes. Short bites of original thoughts. Although based on some general psychological concepts Derek never identifies with any in his storylines. He sometimes describes well know psychological experiments, but never refers to the author or research leader or psychological concept or conclusion where that experiment leads to. That's Derek's style (see https://sive.rs/dq). You either love it or hate it I guess. I do a bit of both. The first, because Derek gives you just enough information to think about stuff yourself. The latter because I'm eager to learn more and would love to see some references where I can further dig into this particular topic. Derek is pointing to his website for that, which is great. But sometimes I just want to have some references in the book itself.

Note: This review is based on an "early access" beta version of the book. When the final version has been released I'll update this review. Maybe Derek elaborates a little more on some topics and might leave a new reference here and there. There is a large list of books -- related to "Useful No True" -- at the end of the book and on his website too at https://sive.rs/u

[Jill · Rating 1 out of 5]

On a whim I decided to read this because it seemed like it could be interesting and the reviews were so positive. I liked the idea of bite sized thoughts on life I could reflect on while undergoing a long travel day today.

Instead what I got was absolute drivel.
It truly confounds me that people find this book profound in any way. Also blows my mind that at one point Sivers mentions writing this “book” over the span of 6 months. I feel very confident I could come up with something more insightful in 6 hours.

What this book boils down to is some asinine stories/parables and some basic ideas from an intro to psychology class. But it’s written in a way that you expect every quasi intellectual idea to be followed with Sivers going BOOM. MIC DROP. Folding his arms and nodding as if he just rocked your entire world. When the rocking was something like the things we believe are just beliefs and everyone has different beliefs and sometimes they are good and sometimes bad and maybe they change sometimes.

Some highlights of annoyance for me:
- “Parents say, “You need to take care of us when we’re old.” But maybe we all need to prepare for our own future care instead of burdening others with it.” BOOM. MIC DROP. THATS RIGHT YOUR PARENTS AIN’T SHIT AND YOU DON’T OWE ANYONE ANYTHING. Like, god what an awful world view to take. Very extreme tumblr faux therapy brain to say that by hoping for any care or support from me people are actually crossing my boundaries and maybe they should have thought about that before being OLD. Awful.
- “Jerusalem is one of my favorite places. I hope to live there one day.” I mean… presented without comment. But yikes.
- “Ask any AI to list empowering questions.” This as advice for addressing your own limitations. And God it’s again just such a bleak way to move through life. First of all because how cringe to use AI for this, but also it’s just sooooo techy dudebro entrepreneur energy to be like ENVIRONMENTALLY DESTRUCTIVE COMPUTER PROGRAM, GIVE ME DEEP THINGS TO REFLECT ON. Bro, consider a tree? Spend time with an elder? Also the whole concept of “empowering questions” sends a shiver right up and down my entire spine, each and every one of my 33 vertebrae.

I guess I should also end this review with a caveat that I first was familiar with this guy through an ex of mine (if you can call them an ex when you casually saw them for 3 months) who actually brought up the “if it’s not a hell yes it’s a no” line while we were discussing if we should break up (instigated by me first not being into him and distancing myself due to his dudebro grind maxxing mentality and use of ChatGPT to write me cute texts). So, I may be extra salty.

[Silvia Sampere · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise set of reminders to take a step back and recognize that beliefs are not truths, and that they still shape our lives - so we might as well become familiar with the ones we hold, the ones that serve us and the ones that don't.

An invitation to bring awareness to our biases, prejudices and resistances, to listen carefully to others' and their views and to welcome new (more useful) beliefs into our lives.

Loved the suggestions on how to adopt perspectives with useful traits, reframe the questions we ask ourselves and the meaning we decide to give to our lives.

I loved how practical and obvious everything sounded when reading it - I've yet to put it into practice, but it's definitely encouraging.

[Miguel Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great short book by Derek Sivers. Good info on how to take life, and what's important aswell as your beliefs.

[Michael Colucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first crack open a new Derek Sivers book, I tremble with excitement…and I quake with fear.

I’m excited because I know I’m going to learn not just two or three completely new ideas, but forty-plus earthshaking original thoughts…even though there’s nothing new under the sun.

And I quake because I know those forty-plus new ideas will grab me by the throat and become a cyclone of unorthodox hyper-realities catapulting my little linear brain out of its cozy cognitive cubicle. Derek doesn’t just think outside the box. And he doesn’t merely live outside the box. Derek doesn’t have a box.

Derek dwells in the most fundamental of human elements: how to live; reality versus illusion; truth versus everything else. His work is like a crowbar to the art of thinking.

For many people, life is a zero sum game (ie, for me to win, you have to lose). But Derek knows that a fulfilling life embraces the concept of win-win. In fact, win-win is the only option. But since the collective human unconscious hasn’t learned that yet, this is what we have: the world in which we live. And, from what I’ve read, nobody deals with that reality better than Derek.

Derek is decades ahead of his time, possibly centuries. People might actually be talking about this Siversian way of thinking in the year 2525, if man is still alive. Derek’s work from the 21st century is like Newtonian physics for the psyche. Newton crunched the numbers. Derek is manipulating thoughts, ideas, and perspective to begin the “reframing” as he calls it. This reframing is all in the service of noble goals: a more productive use of your innate abilities; a more effective way to do your project; a mental device to provide what you need now; a simple mechanism to help you do what you want to do, or be who you want to be; or just to feel at peace.

Like most great books or themes or stories, the climactic portion of Derek’s book features a greatest hits of key points that rival any advice you’ll find anywhere, from the Bhagavad Gita to Pet Sounds. Here’s a sampler: Unclutter your computer from inputting new data and make a decision now. Take the first step immediately, without hesitation. Start momentum. Taking action tests your thought in reality. Invest yourself until your project comes to fruition…or until you decide to scrap the idea altogether.

Derek is a musician. He uses language like a songwriter: in clear cogent chords, in seamless staccato sections, in nuggets of nourishment for the soul, in oblique metaphysical ways like Lucy in the sky. He often writes in poetry, in blank verse like Shakespeare. Prose is frequently insufficient to convey Derek's message. Derek’s M.O. is transformation of the mind. It sounds hyperbolic, but he says it himself in the first line of his new book, Useful Not True: “This book is about reframing — changing how you think about something — and choosing a perspective that’s useful to you right now, whether or not it’s universally true.” Derek is clearly on to something, and the book is uniquely outstanding. His new world construct starts with, not merely doubt, but total deconstruction. A genuine tabula rasa.

I’ve never met Derek personally, but he became my life coach. I didn’t ask and he didn’t offer. It just happened…sort of by osmosis. If you yourself, somehow, someway, have connected with Derek, then you know it is a life-changing event. And it keeps getting better. It’s getting better all the time.

[Michal · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a useful book — short, but packed with ideas.

"Useful Not True" is an antidote to our fixed worldviews, which are more embedded in us than we think, and difficult to change.

Derek Sivers has made a great effort to challenge our perceptions of reality. He showed how taking different perspectives is important to understanding reality, and the people around us.

For me, this is a continuation of "How to Live", complementing it and taking the concepts of reframing and rethinking one step further.

Everyone should read this book. If its ideas were applied, the world would be a better place.

[Tiina Pärtel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came just in the right time - when I felt stuck and needed some new perspective. Easy listening to get a breath of fresh air and to start seeing possibilities around again.
Uplifting and refreshing, but as he says - only if you believe it can be that, and if it’s useful for you at the time being.

[Ian Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

El libro trata de cambiar de perspectivas, cambiar tu marco de referencia . Dado que existen diversas perspectivas validas, debes encontrar aquella que te sea más útil.

Only after I see mistakes in others do I realize that I make those same mistakes

El libro define aquello que es “cierto”, como aquello que tiene una única perspectiva, una única solución. A su vez, define lo “no cierto”, no como falso o erróneo, sino como aquello donde existe más de una perspectiva, por ende no es una solución universal.

El libro define una perspectiva útil, como toda aquella que te permita ser quien quieres ser, te permita obtener paz o hacer lo que debes hacer.

# Almost nothing people say is true

People speak as if they are stating facts : “No puedes hacer esto”, “todo mundo cree esto”. No es cierto, esto es solo tu perspectiva, hay varias perspectivas más.

No picture is the whole picture : La gente enseña y dice lo que quiere que sea visto y escuchado. No toda foto es la foto completa, la gente toma foto de un ángulo y presenta su punto de vista.

Explanations are invented: El cerebro tiende a crear explicaciones detrás de sus actos (no lo digo yo, lo dice la ciencia), dichas explicaciones tienden a no ser ciertas. La gente siente que estas explicaciones son verdades absolutas y cree en ellas con firmeza.

Toma sus actos como hechos, no sus explicaciones. Ignora sus explicaciones, uno nunca entenderá los motivos de otro.

The past is not true: Nunca tenemos todos los datos, toda la información, sin embargo, tomamos el pasado como un hecho. No lo es.

The Future is what we call imagination : Optimismo, pesimismo, metas, planes, nada de eso es cierto, el futuro es incierto, sin embargo, vale la pena plantear estas cosas cuando dirigen nuestros actos de hoy en día hacía lo mejor. El futuro es útil, no cierto . I.e. los CEOs de grandes start ups no estaban ciertos de que sus proyectos funcionarían, nada se los aseguraba, sin embargo fue su optimismo que les permitió ser persistentes a trabajar en ello constantemente. Todo es perfecto tal como sucede y esto tendrá más sentido a futuro Quizá no lo haga, pero si creer en esto te da paz, adelante, cree en ello, pero ten en cuenta que no es un hecho.

People share perspectives not facts: Cuando alguien comparte algo, no comparte hechos, comparte opiniones, juicios, pensamientos, perspectivas, etc, pues quien en su santo juicio va a vincular mediante hechos. Cuando compartes algo, buscas validez. La gente cree que esto que dice son hechos, pero en realidad solo son perspectivas. Ocupas aprender a separar los hechos de la perspectiva.

Words disguised as facts: Hay ciertas formas en que la gente esconde su perspectiva como si fueran hechos, i.e. Es inapropiado: “No estas actuando de acorde a mis normas”. I.E: "Me abandonaron", sin embargo aquellos que te abandonaron tenían que ir a trabajar todo el día para que puedas salir adelante, viéndote poco tiempo, no te abandonaron (su situación les limitaba verte), hay una diferencia abismal entre "Me abandonaron" y "Me siento abandonado".

Explanations help empathy: Tendemos a asumir que sabemos todo sobre una situación, sin embargo, una vez conociendo la razón detrás de las creencias y perspectivas de las otras personas, cambiamos nuestra rabia/emociones negativas por empatía. I.E: te molestas por un niño que no deja de llorar, pero cuando te das cuenta que se rompió el brazo, sentirás empatía.

# Your thoughts aren’t true

“You take some principles or values very seriously. You think of them as undeniable truths. But to other people, you are the one with silly beliefs.”

“See yourself from the other side of the river. You have an accent. Since you know their beliefs aren’t true, you have to realize that yours are also not true.”

# Ideas can be useful not true

# Find better perspectives

# Adopt what works for you now

[Tim Teege · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of those brilliantly concise books – no sentences wasted. Like Derek has done before, he encircles one single idea and views it from every possible angle. I liked the edginess of this particular idea: The notion that it’s not as important if a statement is true compared to how useful that statement is and which actions it inspires in us.

It’s an important aspect of this to acknowledge how our brains sometimes trick us into internalizing a false belief or giving a destructive meaning to something which actually doesn’t need to have that. Only if we keep questioning ourselves and, by extension, the current widely accepted facts by putting them against a measure of usefulness, can we reach a more fulfilling way of life.

The book is empowering and inspiring. Sivers is driving the point home with a variety of colorful examples. Its shortness helps, but I was happy about the extensive reading list at the end of the book for people like me who want to dive deeper into the area of philosophical pragmatism.

It’s an easy recommendation to anyone.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, kinda "cheesy" in my opinion but regardless, some takeaways;

-When someone believes something that seems crazy to you, consider what incentives, from their point of view, make that belief useful.

-You say “I believe” when it’s not a fact that everyone can see. Since people view it differently, you share your perspective on how you see it.

-You don’t want a drill. You want a hole in the wall. So what do you really want when you seek “the truth”?

-Ideally, you’d listen without prejudice to ideas from anyone. Judge the contents, not the box. Unpack ideology. Find what’s useful, not true.

-A philosophy is a tool in the toolbox. Use whatever you need when you need it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derek’s succinct and fascinating perspective is always useful.

[Vansh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction into understanding, seeing logic behind and ridding self limiting beliefs to nurture superior, more useful ones.

[Kelly Deriemaeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oke 4,5 🫶

[Tobias Weghorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As simple as a book on Beliefs can be. Love it.

All my quotes:

Someone says, “That behavior is immoral and wrong.” But from another perspective, that behavior is moral and right. So, essentially, the person is just saying, “I don’t like it.”

July 22, 2024
7

In the scientific process, nothing is final or complete. No model is “true”. Each one just aims to be less and less wrong. Every conclusion is an invitation to improve it.

October 7, 2024
22

A traveler comes to a river and sees a local woman on the opposite bank. He yells across, “How do I get to the other side of the river?” She yells back, “You are on the other side of the river!

October 7, 2024
27

For example: almost everyone says they were unpopular in school — that they were bullied and teased. They form their self-identity around that story. “People make fun of me. I’m not one of those likeable, popular types.” It’s probably not true. It’s probably a misinterpretation — not realizing that happened to everyone.

October 7, 2024
29

If it was absolutely objectively true, there would be no need to get upset. You could just point to the conclusive proof. That’s that. Instead, you might be using that word “believe” to mean “my identity depends on this”.

October 7, 2024
33

When I’m feeling troubled, it helps to look around at reality. Am I in physical danger? No. I’m in a room. I’m safe. It’s a reminder that the trouble is in my head.

October 7, 2024
36

Almost nothing people say is true. My thoughts aren’t true. Norms, obligations, the past, the future, and fears: none of it is real. They’re just thoughts formed into stories.

October 7, 2024
36

Beliefs create emotions. Emotions create actions. Choose a belief for the action it creates.

October 8, 2024
40

Let’s define “useful” as whatever ultimately helps you do what you need to do, be who you want to be, or feel at peace .

October 8, 2024
41

The younger one said, “Unless it would be smarter to just master the chisel, like a sculptor, right?” He kept talking as they left. … Some people want one perfect solution that solves every problem. They need everything to fit — consistent and congruent. The rest of us use whatever tool helps us do what we need to do . When someone refuses to use a tool because it’s not perfect, they’re probably not actually doing the work.

October 8, 2024
44

There’s a crucial moment in between when something happens and when you actually respond. It’s an important life skill. It’s as simple as this: Something happens. Get past your first emotional reaction. Consider other ways of looking at it. Pick one that feels empowering or useful. It shapes how you feel and what you’ll do. Simple, but not easy. The hardest part was getting past your first reaction.

October 9, 2024
56

Beliefs are often self-fulfilling. Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right. Think nobody will love you? Think there are no opportunities? You can make bad dreams come true.

October 10, 2024
57

Use what you learned from jigsaw puzzles. Start with the edges. Come up with extreme and ridiculous ideas that you’d never actually do, but are good for inspiration and finding the middle.

October 10, 2024
58

Direct: Go directly for what I really want, instead of using other means to get there. This requires soul-searching of my real motivations. What do I really want? And what’s the point of that?

October 13, 2024
60

Energizing: I’ll think of many smart but uninspiring perspectives, then one makes me bolt straight up in my seat, full of excitement. It inspires me to take immediate action.

October 13, 2024
60

Self-reliant: It doesn’t depend on anything out of my control

October 13, 2024
60

Test first: No matter how certain I feel, test an idea in reality. Before deciding, try it. Before buying something big, rent it, more than once. Before quitting, take a break. Healthy: Do the right thing — do what’s wise and good — even if I don’t feel like it. Ask my idealized highest self how to think of this. Long-term: In the big picture of my whole life, this is just a phase. Keep my eyes on the horizon.

October 14, 2024
60

You can do anything. But you can’t do everything. You have to decide. If you don’t decide, you get nothing.

October 14, 2024
65

If you interrupt it with new instructions, it has to begin all over again, because the parameters have changed. If you keep giving it new information, it will never finish its job. People who tell me they are lost and running in circles have one thing in common: They say they keep listening to podcasts, reading books,

October 14, 2024
67

I think of the impact of impulsively booking that flight. On the other hand, there were many times where I thought I wanted something — in theory — then took the first step, and realized I was wrong. Taking action tests your thought in reality

October 14, 2024
71

You might be a total introvert, but need to attend an event, so you act social for one hour. By pretending to be social, you were.

October 14, 2024
73

You are your actions. Your actions are you. Your self-image doesn’t matter as much. When you realize what you need to do , it doesn’t mean that’s who you need to be . You can just pretend.

October 14, 2024
73

These places charge me, inspire me, and have real effects on my actions, maybe because my heroes created their greatest works there. So the power comes not from the place itself, but the meaning we give it. This applies to anything. Meanings are entirely in your mind. But their effect on you is real. Like a placebo. It actually works. So the reverse applies as well. If a meaning is holding you back, you can actively doubt it, question it, and find evidence against it, to stop believing it. Then it loses its power.

October 8, 2024
48


Almost nothing people say is true

Someone says, “That behavior is immoral and wrong.” But from another perspective, that behavior is moral and right. So, essentially, the person is just saying, “I don’t like it.”

July 22, 2024
7

In the scientific process, nothing is final or complete. No model is “true”. Each one just aims to be less and less wrong. Every conclusion is an invitation to improve it.

October 7, 2024
22


Your thoughts aren’t true

A traveler comes to a river and sees a local woman on the opposite bank. He yells across, “How do I get to the other side of the river?” She yells back, “You are on the other side of the river!

October 7, 2024
27

For example: almost everyone says they were unpopular in school — that they were bullied and teased. They form their self-identity around that story. “People make fun of me. I’m not one of those likeable, popular types.” It’s probably not true. It’s probably a misinterpretation — not realizing that happened to everyone.

October 7, 2024
29

If it was absolutely objectively true, there would be no need to get upset. You could just point to the conclusive proof. That’s that. Instead, you might be using that word “believe” to mean “my identity depends on this”.

October 7, 2024
33

When I’m feeling troubled, it helps to look around at reality. Am I in physical danger? No. I’m in a room. I’m safe. It’s a reminder that the trouble is in my head.

October 7, 2024
36

Almost nothing people say is true. My thoughts aren’t true. Norms, obligations, the past, the future, and fears: none of it is real. They’re just thoughts formed into stories.

October 7, 2024
36

Ideas can be useful, not true

Beliefs create emotions. Emotions create actions. Choose a belief for the action it creates.

October 8, 2024
40

Let’s define “useful” as whatever ultimately helps you do what you need to do, be who you want to be, or feel at peace .

October 8, 2024
41

The younger one said, “Unless it would be smarter to just master the chisel, like a sculptor, right?” He kept talking as they left. … Some people want one perfect solution that solves every problem. They need everything to fit — consistent and congruent. The rest of us use whatever tool helps us do what we need to do . When someone refuses to use a tool because it’s not perfect, they’re probably not actually doing the work.

October 8, 2024
44

These places charge me, inspire me, and have real effects on my actions, maybe because my heroes created their greatest works there. So the power comes not from the place itself, but the meaning we give it. This applies to anything. Meanings are entirely in your mind. But their effect on you is real. Like a placebo. It actually works. So the reverse applies as well. If a meaning is holding you back, you can actively doubt it, question it, and find evidence against it, to stop believing it. Then it loses its power.

October 8, 2024
48

Reframe: find better perspectives

There’s a crucial moment in between when something happens and when you actually respond. It’s an important life skill. It’s as simple as this: Something happens. Get past your first emotional reaction. Consider other ways of looking at it. Pick one that feels empowering or useful. It shapes how you feel and what you’ll do. Simple, but not easy. The hardest part was getting past your first reaction.

October 9, 2024
56

Beliefs are often self-fulfilling. Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right. Think nobody will love you? Think there are no opportunities? You can make bad dreams come true.

October 10, 2024
57

Use what you learned from jigsaw puzzles. Start with the edges. Come up with extreme and ridiculous ideas that you’d never actually do, but are good for inspiration and finding the middle.

October 10, 2024
58

Direct: Go directly for what I really want, instead of using other means to get there. This requires soul-searching of my real motivations. What do I really want? And what’s the point of that?

October 13, 2024
60

Energizing: I’ll think of many smart but uninspiring perspectives, then one makes me bolt straight up in my seat, full of excitement. It inspires me to take immediate action.

October 13, 2024
60

Self-reliant: It doesn’t depend on anything out of my control

October 13, 2024
60

Test first: No matter how certain I feel, test an idea in reality. Before deciding, try it. Before buying something big, rent it, more than once. Before quitting, take a break. Healthy: Do the right thing — do what’s wise and good — even if I don’t feel like it. Ask my idealized highest self how to think of this. Long-term: In the big picture of my whole life, this is just a phase. Keep my eyes on the horizon.

October 14, 2024
60


Adopt what works for you now

You can do anything. But you can’t do everything. You have to decide. If you don’t decide, you get nothing.

October 14, 2024
65


If you interrupt it with new instructions, it has to begin all over again, because the parameters have changed. If you keep giving it new information, it will never finish its job. People who tell me they are lost and running in circles have one thing in common: They say they keep listening to podcasts, reading books,

October 14, 2024
67


I think of the impact of impulsively booking that flight. On the other hand, there were many times where I thought I wanted something — in theory — then took the first step, and realized I was wrong. Taking action tests your thought in reality

October 14, 2024


You might be a total introvert, but need to attend an event, so you act social for one hour. By pretending to be social, you were.

October 14, 2024
73

You are your actions. Your actions are you. Your self-image doesn’t matter as much. When you realize what you need to do , it doesn’t mean that’s who you need to be . You can just pretend.

October 14, 2024
73

[Esty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished "How to Live" and "Useful Not True".
I have to be honest, How to Live is my favorite, but the two books together make a perfect combination.
I actually have a favorite quote now:

"You recently had a day or even a month that you can't remember.
If I ask what you did then, you couldn't say.
There was nothing unusual about it.
What if you have many more of those?
What if, when you're older, you can't recall entire years? If you can't remember something, it's like it never happened.
You could have a long, healthy life, but if you can't remember it, it's like you had a short life.
What a horrible way to live.
Go make memories.
Do memorable things."

There are sooooo many good things I learned and already started applying from this books, but this one hit me the most. Doing something memorable every day has become my goal, at least for now.

This books are short and direct. They say things that maybe I already knew, but in a completely new way. A way that makes me want to take action, to change, to experience everything, to do the things that scare me.
For me, they are a source of inspiration.
Derek, keep writing, and I’ll keep reading.

My Notes :)

Someone says, “That behavior is immoral and wrong.” But from another perspective, that behavior is moral and right. So, essentially, the person is just saying, “I don’t like it.”

Instead of playing by the rules, they’re playing with the rules — playing with the game itself. Changing the game is part of the fun. We can still do this. Rules set expectations and the terms of the game. They’re a useful starting point, but they’re not the final answer. Rules can be ignored. Breaking a rule can be rational and moral, if you understand the rule’s purpose, and no one is harmed.

Some people say their feelings are your problem. But that’s ridiculous. You can’t control people’s feelings. They are able to choose their response. (The word “responsible” comes from response-able.)

When someone believes something that seems crazy to you, consider what incentives, from their point of view, make that belief useful. It helps you understand someone, and helps you feel less defensive. It helps you separate the person and the actions — to see their beliefs not as who they are, but as something they’re currently holding for a purpose.

People’s motives are unknowable, even to themselves. Let go of the need for a reason. Ignore their explanations. The only true facts are their actions.

When asked for an explanation, the brain invents a reason and completely believes it. To that person, the explanation feels like absolute fact — the kind they swear is true, believe deeply in their core, and will fight to defend!

One story based on one point of view: that’s what we call “the past”.

The news is reporting something upsetting. Is it falsified propaganda or misrepresentation? If it’s true, what would you do? If it’s false, what would you do? Consider both scenarios and figure out your response. You might never know the absolute truth, so what matters are your actions. If belief or doubt makes you do something good, then choose that view because it’s useful to you. If you’ll do nothing, either way, then never mind.

You take some principles or values very seriously. You think of them as undeniable truths. But to other people, you are the one with silly beliefs.

Since you know other people’s beliefs aren’t true, you have to realize that yours are also not true.

Beliefs have a purpose. They help us adopt a perspective or identity. They help us take action, or cooperate with others. The only problem is when we confuse belief with reality, and insist that something is absolutely true because we believe it. Beliefs don’t exist outside the mind. (Have you ever seen one in nature?) All beliefs are make believe.

When I’m feeling troubled, it helps to look around at reality. Am I in physical danger? No. I’m in a room. I’m safe. It’s a reminder that the trouble is in my head.

I fill my senses with reality: wind blowing, waves crashing, plants and animals doing their thing. This place was about the same a million years ago, and a million years from now, when people are gone. Nature carries on. Humans are just another chattering species, making noise like birds and dogs. Almost nothing people say is true. My thoughts aren’t true. Norms, obligations, the past, the future, and fears: none of it is real. They’re just thoughts formed into stories. Out here, they don’t exist.

Which belief is right? Wrong question. Which belief leads to the action you need now?

Let’s define “useful” as whatever ultimately helps you do what you need to do, be who you want to be, or feel at peace.

Judging someone as good or bad, instead of each individual idea as useful or not. Listen to ideas, not their messenger. Focus on the contents, not the box.

You don’t need to decide which one is right. You can use one meaning to get you out of bed, and another to sleep well at night. Which meaning leads to the actions you need now?

But I like that “_______” answer a lot. Not just for the meaning of life, but for everything. You love travelling. What does it mean? You must be running away from something? You’re privileged? You’re a curious soul, searching for answers? Nah. Nothing has inherent meaning. Whatever meaning you project into it is your own.

Meanings can help you make peace with events out of your control. Meanings can give you a reason to persist in difficult times. But they’re internal, not external. They’re yours, not others’. Me? I like the “________”. I like the blank canvas. I love that nothing, in itself, has built-in meaning. I love the creative power of choosing my own. Meanings are useful, not true.

“Time! I can separate the instruments with time. Or I can combine them at the same time. Different instruments for different times in the music. Different philosophies for different times in your life. You can play every instrument, and every philosophy, if you use time, and combine. Time itself is my favorite instrument.”

Explore many different ways of looking at your situation — finding perspectives you’d never considered before.

You might say, “I can’t help the way I feel”, as if it’s completely out of your control — as if you have no choice and are unable to feel any other way. But you do have a choice. Think a different way and you’ll feel a different way. You choose your reaction. Not the first one, but the next.

It’s as simple as this: Something happens. Get past your first emotional reaction. Consider other ways of looking at it. Pick one that feels empowering or useful. It shapes how you feel and what you’ll do. Simple, but not easy. The hardest part was getting past your first reaction.

You seem to be locked in a jail cell. But if you know there’s actually a secret exit, you’ll look harder, pushing and pulling everything until you find it. You seem to be holding a bag of trash. But if you know there’s actually a diamond inside, you’ll sift through the junk until you find it. Your mind has a lot of trash, and often tells you there’s no way out of your situation — there’s nothing great about this. But if you decide that there is, you’ll keep looking until you find it.

To change, reach past what comes naturally. Avoid your defaults. Get guidance outside of yourself. Use a different tool.

Note that fear is a form of excitement.

Direct: Go directly for what I really want, instead of using other means to get there. This requires soul-searching of my real motivations. What do I really want? And what’s the point of that? Am I keeping a job just to feel secure? Getting a university degree for the status? Starting a business for the freedom? Instead, find a more efficient path to the real end result.

The former student was disheartened that she was failing at everything, so she went back to visit her old teacher.
When she told him her troubles, the old man said,
“Guess my secret number from 1 to 100.”
“50?”
“Higher.”
“75?”
“Lower.”
With each try she smiled more, until she correctly guessed the number. Then she thanked him for the reminder that every wrong guess is not a failure, but just one step closer to success.

Switching from sad to happy is always an option, even at the worst times in life.

You can do anything. But you can’t do everything. You have to decide. If you don’t decide, you get nothing. You can think of a hundred paths to follow. But you can’t follow them all. Use time. One path now. Other paths maybe later. Otherwise you’ll never get anywhere.

[Neil Pasricha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember way back in 2010 when I was working in Leadership Development at Walmart and this little 5 minute TED Talk went viral internally called “​How To Start A Movement​.” I loved it! All about the leadership of “first follower” as told through a hill of people dancing at a music festival. It was vintage ​Derek Sivers​, though I didn’t know who Derek was at the time—with his unique blend of poetic wisdom distilled, distilled, distilled down into simple parts. The man is obsessed with simplifying! He let me use his wonderfully distilled “​horse fable​” in the Introduction to ‘​You Are Awesome​,’ my book on resilience, and I remember when his personal website was at sivers.org but he must have thought that URL was too flabby because he got it from 10 characters to 7 with ​sive.rs​. Now comes his newest book! Another slim self-published hardcover that in 88 pages takes us from “Almost Nothing People Say Is True” to “Your Thoughts Aren’t True” to “Ideas Can Be Useful, Not True” to “Adopt What Works For You.” He makes the simple point over and over: we make stuff up. That’s how we live. We adopt beliefs, we tell ourselves stories, we create realities that aren’t true—but they help us navigate through life. So, given that, we may as well make up things that help us. The idea reminds me of a familiar refrain in Cheryl Strayed’s ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’—that we should let go what isn’t serving us and adopt beliefs or behaviors that do. Ironically, even though Derek’s the king of simple and short writing, I did feel like I could glean the entire takeaway of this book through the chapter headlines. But for me this is a reminder book: something to set on your shelf, and face outwards, when you find yourself stuck chasing a dream or a wish or an ideal that … maybe doesn’t help you? A ”from first principles” book that’s useful to reduce guilt, inspire direction, or get unstuck.

[Bryan G · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, Useful Not True is long overdue. In few, well-chosen words, Derek’s book can help an open mind to see outside its default point of view, granting that person access to any number of other ways of seeing, thinking, feeling, and being. The core idea —if the reader can accept it— offers a sort of mental and emotional resilience, the value of which is difficult (for me) to overstate. I say “if the reader can accept it”, because some may find it quite challenging to accept. In my experience, some of the most satisfying feelings follow a great challenge.

Useful Not True does not strike me as a work of philosophy nor a self-help book, and yet it has changed how I think and in so doing has helped me a great deal. If it helps you, please share it widely and discuss it deeply.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is presented in five sections:
- Almost nothing people say is true
- Your thoughts aren't true
- Ideas can be useful, not true
- Reframe: find the better perspective
- Adopt what works for you now
Full content can be seen here: https://sive.rs/u

The book is a quick read; for the most part, each page is an 'entry/thought/lesson' on the subject. Like in his other books, Sivers strength is in his limited use of words. Things are not over-explained, and it's clear great thought is put in to make things simple, straightforward forward, and to the point, but also written to make you think.

A lot of skill is needed to pull something like this off.

Highly recommended.

[Aditya Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another simple-to-read, still fully insightful book with lessons from life.

I am a big fan of Derek's books, and he write the words which are lucid to understand and make us feel amazed by beauty of life.

I really recommend it for anyone - there is something definitely valuable in it for you.

As soon as I got the news about book's beta launch, I bought it.
I started reading it with a thought that I may need multiple sessions to read it.
But I was wrong. I finished it in single sitting.

[Fabio Cerpelloni · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Useful Not True" encouraged me to question everything I believe. It showed me why I need to be more open to other perspectives and made me more aware of my existing belief system. I realised I have Buddhist and Stoic beliefs, but this doesn't make me a Buddhist or a Stoic. I can pick and choose beliefs and ideas from different religions and philosophies based on what helps me in life. I feel empowered after reading this book.

[‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Soroush Torkian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sivers shows how to reframe thoughts to focus on what’s useful rather than what's strictly true. He highlights how beliefs are tied to identity, how cultural norms can clash, and why being wrong is just a step closer to success.
See more...

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tight, clear, and a great read.

[Robyn Roscoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read Sivers’ Anything You Want a few years ago, and found it to be a good inspiration and guide to being true to oneself when starting a business. The main takeaway was an important touchstone:

“You can’t live someone else’s expectation of a traditional business. You have to just do whatever you love the most, or you’ll lose interest in the whole thing.”

Last year, I heard Sivers interviewed on the Modern Wisdom podcast, and he mentioned this latest book. I like the concept – that it’s important to separate your beliefs from facts, that what you believe can guide you but that doesn’t mean your beliefs are true or even correct.

Like the earlier book, this one is brief and to the point. Sivers stays on topic throughout, distilling his premise into six chapters that breakdown the difference between useful and true, how to recognize a fact from a belief, and how to reframe your own thinking to guide your decisions and actions. Some points I found useful:

• “When asked for an explanation, the brain invents a reason and completely believes it.” Sivers explains that anyone’s motivation for action is essentially unknowable, not least because even that person’s own brain will make something up. Ultimately, the motivation is less important than the action, but we tend to get distracted with addressing the why behind even the smallest action. (Sidebar: I found this interesting in the context of AI tools like ChatGPT, which tend to hallucinate and provide “information” that looks real, even when it doesn’t actually have the answer. Perhaps this is a near-human feature?)
• “Even science isn’t true.” This was especially validating considering the past few years and the morphing of science from theory to dogma, and the personification of science in “experts”. The scientific process requires that any “conclusion” be open to question and re-examination. Our failures to do that in recent years reflects a dangerous hubris.
• “Judge the contents, not the box.” I especially liked this one in the context of modern political discourse, where good ideas are rejected simply or primarily because of who came up with them.
• “Diamonds in the trash.” While I thought this was presented a bit clunkily, I like the message: when things look or get messy, try to find the why in order to move on to the how. Push past the first pessimistic thought, to get to the root of what’s happening. I like to think of this as applying the “5 whys” approach to challenges.
• “You can do anything. But you can’t do everything. You have to decide.” A very powerful little section on taking responsibility for one’s choices. And a reminder that inaction is a choice.

In addition to a thought-provoking collection of thoughts, the books is a lovely part of a collection of five books by Sivers. It seems that he self-publishes these and has created an attractive packaging for his volumes. I’m happy to have all of them on my shelf and will work my way through them all eventually.

[Soichi Tanabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem from Sivers! Beautifully concise, all substance and no filler, much like his last four books.

My personal interpretation (useful, not true):
His last book, How to Live, was about Existentialism.
His latest book, Useful not True, is about Pragmatism.
These two books are deeply interwoven in a poetic way.

Pragmatism, in a nutshell, is about the power of the reframe (aka beliefs that are useful, not true).

What is the ultimate reframe in life?
Existentialism.

Nihilism says, "Life is objectively meaningless."
Existentialism says, "Life is objectively meaningless BUT it can be subjectively meaningful."

He includes the same photo from the end of How To Live with 27 instruments (a book about 27 conflicting answers on how to live). He interweaves his latest two books together with this Easter egg.

My favorite passage from Useful not True:
The young girl went up to Stravinsky and said, “Excuse me. Which of these instruments is the best one?” He was surprised and amused, and took the challenge.

He said, “You hear sounds, but I hear life. Every instrument is a philosophy. Every philosophy is an instrument.” She just looked at him, confused, so he continued.

“You could pick just one instrument, one philosophy. But wouldn’t it be more interesting to play them all?”

The girl said, “What?!? Nobody can play them all! How could I?”

Stravinksy said, “Let’s say, as a young woman, you go out into the world to meet new people, full of multiculturalism and humanism. You do something daring, filled with optimism. Then you start a family and have time for nothing but pragmatism. You lose a loved one and comfort yourself with stoicism. But it makes no sense, so you’re drawn to existentialism.
See? So many instruments!”

The girl said, “What if I want to pick just one?” He said, “Most people do pick just one. They think their instrument is the best! Go ask anyone in this orchestra, and they’ll give you indisputable proof why their instrument is better than all others. You’ll never convince that cellist that the clarinet is better, so why try? Just like religions, cultures, and philosophies, right?”

There was a long pause. The girl said, “So, which do you think is the best?”

Stravinsky smiled and said, “Time.”

“Time?”

“Time! I can separate the instruments with time. Or I can combine them at the same time. Different instruments for different times in the music. Different philosophies for different times in your life. You can play every instrument, and every philosophy, if you use time, and combine. Time itself is my favorite instrument.”

The girl seemed satisfied, and walked back to the balcony to listen again.

[Stephen Heiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely short gem from Derek. He's always got the ability to challenge the way that you think and believe and ask you to make sure you're not just living and thinking in ruts "just because."

"Every statement everyone says could be prefaced with a disclaimer: 'From my limited point of view, based only on what I've experienced...'" (p. 5)

"Feelings matter. To address them, we have to distinguish them. Get the dry facts, with no interpretation. What's left are the feelings and meanings. We can't change what happened, but we can change the meaning we give it, which changes how we feel about it." (p. 9)

"That's your brain, the dark, inside your skull. It can't see or hear, or experience anything directly. It interprets little signals sent through nerves, which is not much information to work with, so it's often mistaken. But it tells you it's completely sure. 100% positive." (p. 30)

"A belief is something you think is true, without proof. A fact is an objective reality — something proven true — verified with conclusive evidence." (p. 36)

"Some people, when challenged on their beliefs, get all upset and scream, 'But I believe this deeply in my heart of hearts!'

Wow, look at all that emotion! It must actually be true! Yeah, right. As if the amount of emotion measures the truth of the belief. Maybe it measures the opposite. If it was absolutely objectively true, there would be no need to get upset. you could just point to the conclusive proof. That's that.

Instead you might be using the world 'believe' to mean 'my identity depends on this.' Especially if you feel the need to tell everyone your beliefs." (p. 37)

"What is the point of beliefs if they don't shape your actions? It's easy to see the point of good actions without beliefs. It's easy to see which is better for the world." (p. 46)

"Following a religion means doing, not just believing." (p. 46)

"Beliefs exist to guide your actions. If you're not acting in alignment with your beliefs, you've missed the point of beliefs." (p. 47)

[Amit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading Derek Sivers' 'Useful Not True'. It took me a while to grasp the book's direction, but here’s what stood out:

1. Brevity and Clarity: Written with short, simple sentences, the book makes it easy to absorb what resonates with me as 'useful' or 'true' and move past stuff that didn't, without losing focus of the reading.

2. Powerful Summary: The summary on pages 65-66 is impactful—worthy of being printed and pinned on your desk.

3. Explorer vs. Leader Mindset: The book succinctly contrasts the roles of an explorer and a leader, emphasising the importance of leader when the goal is clear.

4. Action over Thought: Sivers strongly advocates for action-orientation over excessive thought. No amount of thinking will suffice without taking the necessary actions.

5. Internalisation Algorithm: The algorithm on page 74 is simple yet powerful for getting started and remaining focussed.

6. Validation and Advice: Pages 75 outlines a straightforward validation process, paired with cautionary advice that’s worth noting in Page 76.

7. 'Fake it till You Make it' Philosophy: Not everything you aspire to 'be' will materialise asap. Faking it until it becomes real—or even if it doesn’t—is good. Says Derek, "You are your actions."

8. Decluttering for Action: Page 73 highlights the importance of limiting information overload, start taking actions over excessive thinking.

9. Iterate and Build Momentum: Action process is simple: try, test, recalibrate, and try again. When something works, build progressive momentum with focused more actions.

10. Philosophical Parallels: I noticed intriguing similarities with Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and the Gita—but that’s a thought for another day :). 

In summary, an insightful read with actionable takeaways, particularly for those who value simplicity and practicality.

[Miriam Chancellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profoundly insightful and challenging take on the beliefs we hold and narratives we tell ourselves.

Some personal takeaways/‘ah ha!’ moments:


- Perspectives are not reality, they’re one person’s particular ‘take.’ A form of preference. We gravitate towards perspectives that serve our own interests. Therefore, question every strong opinion. Many are probably just a preference. 


- Separate fact from interpretation. E.g. my colleague didn’t reply to my email vs. my colleague is ignoring me. Trying to attach meaning to situations/events is tiring and faulty. Stuff happens. Things are less about you than you think. 


- Memories are comically faulty. Don’t rely on them. 


- What is the point of belief if it doesn’t spur or influence some kind of action? Belief without action is like a seed never planted—it has potential, but never develops into something of consequence.


- Don’t be wedded to old beliefs at the expense of adopting new ones. Different situations require different beliefs. If a belief helps you achieve a desired outcome, use it, but recognise that that same belief applied at a different time or to a different situation may not hold. Cast your net wide. Be flexible and in a constant state of reassessment. 


- When we’re young, we think an intelligent person is someone with strong opinions and preferences. E.g. House from the TV series House or Daniel Plainview from There Will Be Blood. They’re intimidatingly strong-minded and “intelligent”. Everything is either right or wrong, and black or white. In reality, the smartest people are those that embrace ambiguity, and hold their opinions lightly. They have “intellectual humility.”

A read for anyone bold enough to look deeply within themselves.

[Jack Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did not land for me, mainly because it treats truth and goodness as optional. The author keeps the focus on whatever happens to serve the individual rather than on what might actually be real.

The core stance of the book is a kind of soft relativism. It presents the idea that the important thing is to use whatever beliefs or practices help you, and that there is no deeper standard to appeal to. This outlook assumes, without argument, that the cosmos is meaningless and that only personal emotion and preference matter.

That assumption shapes the rest of the book. There is no attempt to ask what might be true or likely or grounded in reality. There is no interest in whether there are objective features of the world that should constrain our choices. The author says he did heavy research, but the result does not feel balanced, it feels like a case built for one pre-chosen conclusion.

Because the search for truth is treated as secondary, the book feels incomplete. I can appreciate the attention to human experience and to the idea that people need workable frameworks. Still, stopping there leaves out what I care about. I think the attempt to discover what is true about the world has value on its own, not only as a tool for self benefit.

So the book is readable, and there are parts that make sense on a human level, but it sets aside the deeper question of what is real and what is good, and that choice weakened it for me.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm standing at the kitchen sink staring out the window across the driveway at the shop doors thinking about "Useful not True," Derek Sivers new book. I'm lost in the artform of simple sentences, practical analogies, and clean "reframing." I wish my shop was like that. Sivers' latest masterpiece is a modern equivalent of the Greek Stoic Philosopher Epictetus' Enchiridion. Epictetus' overall message was, only your opinion is within your control. Mercifully, "Useful not True" uses contemporary, all-inclusive language and examples coalesced into single sentences and short paragraphs, all while addressing the myriad of perspectives that form our biases, and inevitably our lives. On my fourth time through the book, "Different philosophies for different times in your life" frames my view. I glance out the window at my shop, its contents a cacophony of philosophies in the form of artwork and tools both neatly organized and madly strewn. Some so true in their prime, now outgrown and no longer useful. Backing away from the sink, I lay the book on the counter and head to the couch to write this review.
Buy "Useful not True." Read it. Read it again. Buy another copy. Or ten. Give it again and again.