Derek Sivers
from the book “Useful Not True”:

Keep tuning and adjusting

2026-02-06

When I got my first guitar, the nice man at the shop put on new strings and tuned it. A week later, I brought it back to the shop because it sounded terrible. He told me it was just out of tune. I said, “But you tuned it already!” He explained that I constantly have to re-tune it every time I play.

Same with adopting a new mindset. Every week, back in the journal, reflecting, talking with friends, and making adjustments.

Sometimes you need to stick to the plan exactly, and only adjust your thoughts. Sometimes you need to update the plan. Use your wisdom to decide.

Don’t be discouraged when you get off course. A big benefit of keeping a journal is that you can , to remind yourself what you’re doing and why.

Useful Not True book chapter cover