You make your perfect world

You make your perfect world

By Derek Sivers

I started CD Baby focused on the importance(imˈpôrtns) of making a dream-come-true perfect world for musicians(myo͞oˈziSHən).

Along the way I learned the importance of making my business(ˈbiznis) a dream come true for myself, too.

Business is as creative(krēˈātiv) as the fine arts. You can be as unconventional(ˌənkənˈvenSHənl), unique(yo͞oˈnēk), and quirky(ˈkwərkē) as you want. A business is a reflection of the creator(krēˈātər).

Some people want to be billionaires(ˈbilyəˌne(ə)r) with thousands of employees(emˈploi-ē,ˌemploiˈē). Some people want to work alone(əˈlōn).

Some want as much profit(ˈpräfit) as possible(ˈpäsəbəl). Some want as little profit as possible.

Some want to be in Silicon(-kən,ˈsiləˌkän) Valley(ˈvalē) with Fortune(ˈfôrCHən) 500 customers. Some want to be anonymous(əˈnänəməs).

No matter which goal you choose, there will be lots of people telling you you’re wrong.

Just pay close attention(əˈtenCHən) to what excites(ikˈsīt) you and what drains(drān) you. Pay close(klōs,klōz) attention to when you’re being the real you and when you’re trying to impress an invisible(inˈvizəbəl) jury(ˈjo͝orē).

Even if what you’re doing is slowing the growth of your business — if it makes you happy, that’s OK. It’s your choice(CHois) to remain(riˈmān) small.

You’ll notice that as my company got bigger, my stories about it were less happy. That was my lesson(ˈlesən) learned. I’m happier with 5 employees than with 85, and happiest working alone.

Whatever you make, it’s your creation, so make it your personal(ˈpərsənəl) dream come true.