Most entrepreneurs waste years trying to write "the perfect book." Derek Sivers, founder of CD Baby (sold for $22M), has a better approach.

Instead of thinking book first, start with individual blog posts. One idea per post. After 50-80 posts, you've already written your book - just compile them.

His "Hell Yeah or No" decision-making framework helped him build and sell one of the most successful independent music platforms. Now he's applying this same clarity to help others cut through decision paralysis.

If an opportunity isn't a "hell yeah," it's automatically a no. This simple filter eliminates mediocrity and creates space for what truly matters.

Listen to episode 529 of Get Yourself Optimized to discover how Derek's unconventional approaches to writing, decision-making, and life design can transform your business and personal growth.

The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/529.

How do you write 2,000 words daily while managing 40 clients and a daily podcast?

Mary DeMuth's productivity system is deceptively simple but devastatingly effective. She treats writing "like a muscle"—consistency builds strength, breaks destroy momentum.

Her secret weapon: Self-imposed deadlines for a decade before getting published. When real deadlines arrived, she was already trained to deliver early.

Results: 52 published books, 6 million podcast downloads, and a literary agency that revolutionizes author-agent relationships through community building.

Discover Mary's complete creative productivity system in Episode 528 of Get Yourself Optimized.

The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/528.

🎯 What if I told you that your internal compass for success isn't logic or strategy—it's JOY?

Hall of Fame speaker Patrick Combs just dropped some serious wisdom on the Get Yourself Optimized podcast. After speaking to over 1 million college students across 1,000+ campuses, he's discovered something profound: the leaders who thrive long-term aren't just chasing achievements—they're following their authentic joy.

Here's what Patrick shared that changed my perspective:

✅ Use joy as your decision-making compass (not just logic)

✅ Practice deep presence to enhance every professional interaction

✅ Transform routine tasks into opportunities for mindfulness

✅ Reframe industry disruption as collective growth, not personal threat

This isn't about toxic positivity; it's about sustainable success that doesn't burn you out.

The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at getyourselfoptimized.com/527.