January 30, 2025
Daydreaming with Purpose
Self-Leadership Strategies to Manifest Your Passion into Your Profession
Derick Sebastian
Sounds of Sebastian Publishing (2024)
ISBN: 979-8-9916859-0-0
Ukulele Artist Shares How He Turned Daydreams into His Reality in New Book
Did you know that the ukulele can make amazing music? No one knows that better than Derick Sebastian, and in his new book, Daydreaming with Purpose: Self-Leadership Strategies to Manifest Your Passion into Your Profession, he shares the incredible journey he made to launch his musical career as a ukulele player. Today his success includes international tours, playing the national anthem at NBA and MLB games, and becoming a recording artist.
More than a memoir, Daydreaming with Purpose is a personal development book that will inspire you to find your passion just like Derick did and then turn it into your profession or at the very least get more joy out of life by turning your daydreams into your reality. It is all possible when you daydream with purpose, as Derick reveals.
In the foreword, Michael A. Aczon, entertainment lawyer and artist manager, describes the effect of the book on the reader: “it’s almost as if Derick is lovingly teaching you how to play a song written just for you on the ukulele just like he does.” Whatever your own passion, Derick’s chapters will highlight important topics to consider and master. The intent is for readers to follow the strategies Derick shares so they can embark on a self-discovery journey that will help them manifest their dreams. A native of Hawaii, Derick also teaches how to embrace the Power of Aloha, which he says is in every human, and which can help you reach your goals, including to live a healthier life.
Daydreaming with Purpose is divided into twenty-one chapters that focus on such topics as “Getting in Your Game,” “Pursuing Your Unattainable Goals,” “Turning Your Adversity into Opportunity,” and “Knowing Rejection Is Your Redirection.” Each chapter begins with an inspiring story from Derick about a personal incident related to the chapter’s topic. The chapters then conclude with exercises so readers can apply what they learned to their own lives. Also included are tips and a statement of what Derick learned from the experience. As an example, one of the exercises includes:
“Question: How resilient is your mindset when facing adversity? What strategies do you use to stay strong in difficult times?
“Activity: Create a ‘Resilience Plan’ by identifying three strategies you can use to strengthen your mindset during tough times. Strategies could include mindfulness practices, physical activities, or reaching out for support. Write down how you will implement these strategies in your daily life.”
Whether or not you’re seeking to improve your life, you will be won over by Derick’s enthusiasm, positive attitude, and determination to be the best musician he can be. The stories begin with Derick describing how his asthma kept him from playing sports in school. Then he befriended the school security officer, Mr. Ellis, who played the ukulele and became his mentor. Mr. Ellis taught Derick the ukulele and even helped him enter statewide competitions. In the beginning, Derick didn’t even own a ukulele, but his older brother had one from school; soon Derick was playing that ukulele better than his brother.
Derick’s passion for the ukulele soon caused some of his classmates to be jealous of him, but Mr. Ellis taught him how to use the responses from the naysayers to strengthen his resolution to be an artist. After all, jealousy is a great indication that you are succeeding.
Of course, Derick’s music career did not take off overnight. He details the many twists and turns on his road to fame. Perhaps the most memorable story is how he had the idea to play the national anthem on his ukulele at the Staples Center at a Lakers game. While he knew the chances of that ever happening were slim, he made repeated attempts—what he calls “persistent politeness”—for years to get the Lakers interested. Eventually, the call he had longed for came while he was in the McDonald’s drive-thru with his children. Suddenly, he was performing at a Lakers’ game in March 2016, as a video of his performance on YouTube attests. He became the first ukulele artist to perform the national anthem at an NBA game.
Derick shares numerous other stories, from how he had to quit a performance in the middle when the pandemic began and how he resolved to spend more time with his wife and children because they are his “why” to how he began to create his own music albums.
Derick continually details the problems that arose when he tried to pursue his dreams. Unwilling to give up, he has adopted the philosophy that “impossible” really means, “I’m possible” and that “Life happens for you, not to you.” No matter what obstacle or adversity we face, Derick knows with the right attitude the attempt to overcome it will only make you stronger and help you redirect your focus to where it needs to be. Obstacles he discusses include how he wanted to quit his three-country tour when Mr. Ellis died, but his wife insisted he go, and how he broke his ankle while on tour.
Before he began playing the ukulele, Derick dreamed of a baseball career. Today, he knows he’s hit more home runs in music than in baseball, but he states, “The truth is life isn’t about home runs. It’s about getting the opportunity to get up, off the bench, and get an at-bat. If you keep trying and making the best of your opportunities, everything will fall into place. First you’ll get those small hits—the singles and doubles—and eventually, you’ll work your way up to the exciting triples. Then, sooner or later, you’ll hit your home run.”
If anyone embodies the true essence of Aloha, it is Derick Sebastian. In fact, he dedicates an entire chapter to the Aloha Spirit, stating:
“Aloha is about giving and receiving, fostering deep connections and a sense of community. Mr. Ellis believed that the ukulele wasn’t just an instrument but a tool to create those connections and spread joy. It taught me that my purpose wasn’t just to play music, but to move people emotionally and lift them up, embodying the spirit of Aloha.”
Derick also encourages daydreaming, telling readers to give themselves permission to dream and to say yes to whatever comes to them. He states: “everyone daydreams, but it usually stops there. The key difference is when you daydream with purpose, you find yourself gravitating toward actions that make your dreams come true. Your mind becomes the driving force, turning your thoughts into actions.”
In the first chapter, Derick asks, “When your daydream becomes reality, will you be ready?” I believe Daydreaming with Purpose will not only help you get ready but give you your own “Aloha Awakening.”
For more information about Derick Sebastian and Daydreaming with Purpose, visit www.DerickSebastian.com.
— Tyler R. Tichelaar, PhD and Award-Winning Author of The Mysteries of Marquette
