Hell Yeah or No
by Derek Sivers
First published 2020 · 144 pages · about 2 hours to read
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About this book
Hell Yeah or No is a short self-help book by Derek Sivers, the founder of CD Baby, built around one rule: say yes only to things that excite you, and treat everything else as a no. It is read for its brevity and its practical advice on turning down commitments, and it is often recommended to people who feel overloaded by obligations.
The book starts from a single test for decisions. If a request or opportunity does not make you feel enthusiastic, the answer is no. Sivers applies this test to work, money, relationships and time.
Summary written with AI from the book's details.
Will you like it?
Readers who feel stretched by requests and obligations will find a clear test in this short book. It is written in plain, direct prose and fits readers who want one usable idea rather than a long programme.
- saying no
- enthusiasm as a filter
- time and commitment
- simple decisions
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Quick answers
- What age is Hell Yeah or No for?
- Adults.
- Is Hell Yeah or No a standalone?
- Yes, it stands on its own.
- Does Hell Yeah or No have violence, sex or strong language?
- Nothing a reader needs warning about.
Written with AI from what's known about the book.
Reader's guide
Themessaying no, enthusiasm as a filter, time and commitment, saying yes deliberately, simplicity in decisions
saying no · enthusiasm as a filter · time and commitment · saying yes deliberately · simplicity in decisions
StyleShort, plain, direct prose in brief numbered or titled sections. It reads quickly, is written in a conversational first person, and avoids jargon. It is a few dozen pages of text, with the total length of about 144 pages reflecting its layout.
Short, plain, direct prose in brief numbered or titled sections. It reads quickly, is written in a conversational first person, and avoids jargon. It is a few dozen pages of text, with the total length of about 144 pages reflecting its layout.
How it was writtenDerek Sivers is an American musician and entrepreneur who founded CD Baby, an online music retailer. He has written several short books on work and life, and he first published the Hell Yeah or No idea as a blog post before expanding it into this book in 2020.
Derek Sivers is an American musician and entrepreneur who founded CD Baby, an online music retailer. He has written several short books on work and life, and he first published the Hell Yeah or No idea as a blog post before expanding it into this book in 2020.
How it was receivedReaders who admire Sivers's other writing tend to praise the book for being short and to the point. It has a following among readers who want a quick, usable principle rather than a long programme. Details of its sales and critical reviews are not known here.
Readers who admire Sivers's other writing tend to praise the book for being short and to the point. It has a following among readers who want a quick, usable principle rather than a long programme. Details of its sales and critical reviews are not known here.
Questions to discussWhich commitments in your life would fail the 'Hell yeah' test, and what would change if you said no to them?
These may talk about the whole book.
- Which commitments in your life would fail the 'Hell yeah' test, and what would change if you said no to them?
- Is a lukewarm yes ever worth giving, for example to help a friend or to build a relationship?
- How does the rule apply when saying no has real costs, such as to a job, a family obligation or a client?
- Does the book's advice about enthusiasm fit with the way you normally decide things?
- What would it take to make 'no' an easy default answer rather than a hard one?
Written with AI from what's known about the book.
More by Derek Sivers
- Useful Not TrueUseful Not True2024
- How to Live: 27 Conflicting Answers and One Weird ConclusionHow to Live: 27 Conflicting Answers and One Weird Conclusion2021
- Your Music and PeopleYour Music and People2020
- Anything You WantAnything You Want2011
Parts of this page are written with AI from what's known about the book, and can get details wrong. How BookSense works