Anything You Want Book Summary - Anything You Want Book explained in key points
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Anything You Want summary

Derek Sivers

40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur

4.1 (118 ratings)
13 mins

Brief summary

Anything You Want by Derek Sivers is a business book that gives an insight into how he built CD Baby. It highlights the importance of focusing on customers, keeping things simple and enjoying the journey.

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    Anything You Want
    Summary of 6 key ideas

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    Starting a successful business means striving to improve your ideas while keeping it simple.

    When the author set out in the world of business he never intended to found CD Baby, an online independent music store. In fact, he’d previously attempted several other businesses only to end up unsuccessful.

    So, what made this one work?

    A key step was realizing that the more you improve your ideas, the higher the chances are that you’ll come up with one that’s truly successful. The point is that if you’ve been promoting your “perfect” idea for years and it’s still going nowhere, it might be time for a change. That means, if you’re not getting positive feedback – and a lot of it – it’s probably best to let go of your idea.

    Instead, you should try out new options and work to improve your ideas. Because if you’re always improving, you’re bound to hit on an idea that people will love. For instance, the author was totally surprised when one of his ideas suddenly caught fire among his musician friends. His hard work had paid off, and he created something that would help both himself and others.

    But coming up with the right idea is just the beginning. The next step is to come up with some simple numbers and build the principles of a business plan. This doesn’t have to be a complex, 100-page document with financial projections for the next two decades, but a simple document that lays out how your company will work and how much money it’ll take to make it happen.

    The key here is to keep it logical and easy to understand. That’s because the more precisely you write, the better people will comprehend and believe in your idea. It’s really not necessary to throw around complicated figures. You just need to explain how you’ll make money and if it will cover your costs.

    For instance, when the author first set up CD Baby, he only used two numbers: how much it would cost musicians to list their CD on the site and how much they would make on each sale. These simple, fixed numbers were enough to calculate his projected success.

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    What is Anything You Want about?

    Anything You Want (2011) is a guide to realizing your dream business, which is easier than you might think. These blinks will teach you why the conventional ideas of amassing tons of money, consultants and technology are all wrong, and that the real key to success is you and your stellar ideas.

    Anything You Want Review

    Anything You Want (2011) is a book that offers valuable insights and lessons on entrepreneurship and creativity. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • Packed with practical wisdom, it provides actionable advice for anyone looking to start or grow a business.
    • Through personal stories and experiences, the author shares invaluable lessons that resonate with aspiring entrepreneurs.
    • With its refreshing perspective on success and happiness, the book challenges conventional thinking and encourages readers to follow their own path.

    Best quote from Anything You Want

    If youre not saying Hell yeah! about something, say no.

    —Derek Sivers
    example alt text

    Who should read Anything You Want?

    • All entrepreneurs
    • Anybody with a great idea they don’t know how to realize

    About the Author

    Derek Sivers began a career as a musician who endeavored to sell his music online. This simple idea became the basis of CD Baby, a company that was the biggest seller of independent music on the web when he sold it in 2008 for $22 million.

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    Anything You Want FAQs 

    What is the main message of Anything You Want?

    The main message of Anything You Want is to follow your passion and create a business that reflects your values and beliefs.

    How long does it take to read Anything You Want?

    The reading time for Anything You Want varies, but you can read the Blinkist summary in just 15 minutes.

    Is Anything You Want a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Anything You Want is a must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs. It offers valuable insights and practical advice for building a successful business.

    Who is the author of Anything You Want?

    The author of Anything You Want is Derek Sivers.

    What to read after Anything You Want?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Anything You Want, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams
    • The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer
    • Purple Cow by Seth Godin
    • Loserthink by Scott Adams
    • Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
    • Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
    • How to Fail by Elizabeth Day
    • Deep Work by Cal Newport
    • How to Know a Person by David Brooks
    • Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace