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“If you own a business, you get to make a little universe where you control the laws.  This is your utopia.” Derek Sivers – Anything You Want

In this harsh – schizophrenic – business environment, is it still possible to build the business of your dreams?  This is often wondered, but seldom asked.  Most entrepreneurs believe it is possible to build an “ideal” business, but they secretly don’t believe it’s something they can do.

No time.  No money.  No connections.  No resources.  Each of us has these secret excuses when it comes to why we can’t create our own remarkable businesses.

Derek completely shatters our excuses in his book Anything You Want.

Derek’s story is not only immensely encouraging, but he also shares specific – actionable – steps for creating your own business.

Here are a few of my notes from the book:

A business plan should never take more than a few hours of work.  Hopefully no more than a few minutes. (pg 9)

“Revolutionary” is a term that people use only when you’re successful.  Before that you’re just a quirky person who does things differently. (pg 9)

Success comes from persistently improving and inventing, NOT from persistently doing what’s not working. (pg 11)

Never forget that absolutely everything you do is for your customers.  Make every decision – even decisions about whether to expand the business, raise money, or promote someone – according to what’s best for your customers.  (pg 15)

As you grow, never let the leaches sucker you into all that stuff they pretend you need. (pg 20)

You need to confidently exclude people, and proudly say what you are not.  By doing so, you will win the hearts of the people you want.  (pg 22)

It’s a big world; you can loudly leave out 99% of it.  (pg 23)

Just stay focused on helping people today.  (pg 23)

Of course you should care about your customers more than you care about yourself.  It’s all about them, not about you. (pg 31)

If you set up your business like you don’t need the money, people are happier to pay you.  (pg 32)

It’s often the tiny details that really thrill people enough to make them tell all their friends about you.  (pg 40)

In the end, it’s about what you want to be, not what you want to have.  (pg 51)

To be a true business owner, make sure you could leave for a year, and when you came back, your business would be doing better than when you left.  (pg 64)

Delegation doesn’t come naturally to any of us.  (pg 69)

If you can relate to any of my notes from Anything You Want, then chances are – you’ll love the book.  Grab your copy here. (No, it’s not an affiliate link.)