Derek Sivers

November 28, 2024

The First Email

Meeting Derek Sivers for the first time was an experience that left a lasting impression on me. It all began with an email I sent him about dealing with online harassment because at the tail end of COVID, I was getting harassed by trolls who had an issue with one of my controversial influencer relatives and not because of me. Having faced trolls before in my internet life, I was curious about how a famous person would handle haters. So, I was eager to hear Derek's perspective. He replied, and I paraphrase, saying he doesn't have those kinds of messages. After a while, he sent a succinct email mentioning he's coming to Shenzhen and we linked up.

The First Meeting

It was in the Shenzhen Marriot Hotel in Nanshan where we finally met. His openness to meeting people from around the world for friendship and a learning experience was evident in person. Derek's positive demeanor made our conversation enjoyable. As we talked about various topics, knowing it would be shown online at some point, I was inspired to follow in his footsteps to start something similar on this blog!

Economics and Being 30

Our conversation touched on various topics, including the economy of China. Although I'm not an expert in economics, I shared my thoughts on the lingering effects of COVID-19. The global economy is still recovering, and while there are challenges, I believe improvements are on the horizon. Derek's understanding nature made it easy to discuss these complex issues, even though my background as a teacher didn't directly connect to economic matters. Perhaps that's a signal for me to read more books about economics.

We also talked about turning 30 and the self-improvement journey many people embark on at this age. Derek mentioned meeting many individuals in Shenzhen who were around 30, and I speculated that this demographic is often drawn to personal growth which is common of our age group. This led to a discussion about parenthood, a topic close to my heart as many of my peers are starting families while I personally do not wish to do so. Derek's perspective on the joys of parenting, even in challenging times, was enlightening.

Scenius and Starstruck

One of the highlights of our meeting was feeling starstruck. Add onto the fact that he's part of a scenius of entrepreneurial and productivity content creators whom I follow like Ali Abdaal and Timothy Ferris, Derek's connections were impressive. At some point in the conversation, I brought up how I knew of his work because his name came up on a few Ali Abdaal videos like this one. I threw in the fact that he is currently in Hong Kong, just right across the border of Shenzhen. He perked up and but at the same time I was surprised he speed dialed my other favourite celebrity Ali Abdaal. I had a chance to briefly speak with Ali, and later Derek set plans with Ali as he was leaving for HKG airport. Everything was already surreal experience and that added to the day's excitement.

Reflections

Reflecting on our meeting, Derek's approach to life, where he focuses on our own paths without disrupting others (i.e. being independent), offers a valuable lesson. It's a reminder to find joy in our journeys, even when faced with negativity. Nobody is going to bother you if you're not trying to shatter their worldview but rather focused on your own worldview! You do you, and they do them.

In conclusion, meeting Derek Sivers was a unique experience that offered valuable insights into handling online negativity and embracing life's journey. His approach to connecting with people and finding joy in everyday tasks is a lesson worth sharing. As I continue to explore new ideas and perspectives, I hope to inspire others to do the same.

If you were curious, here's Derek side of the conversation: https://sive.rs/met/160