Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons In Life

by Richard Branson

I believe in goals. It’s never a bad thing to have a dream, but I’m practical about it. I don’t sit daydreaming about things that are impossible. I set goals and then work out how to achieve them.

The best lesson I learned was to just do it. It doesn’t matter what it is, or how hard it might seem, as the ancient Greek, Plato, said, ‘The beginning is the most important part of any work.’

Whatever your goal is you will never succeed unless you let go of your fears and fly.

Have Fun, Work Hard and Money Will Come Don’t Waste Time – Grab Your Chances Have a Positive Outlook on Life When it’s Not Fun, Move On

If something stops being fun, I ask why? If I can’t fix it, I stop doing it.

As soon as something stops being fun, I think it’s time to move on. Life is too short to be unhappy. Waking up stressed and miserable is not a good way to live.

I say, never just try to make money. Long-term success will never come if profit is the only aim.

One of the things I try to do at Virgin is make people think about themselves and see themselves more positively. I firmly believe that anything is possible. I tell them, ‘Believe in yourself. You can do it.’

It’s easy to give up when things are hard but I believe we have to keep chasing our dreams and our goals, as these exciting people did. And once we decide to do something, we should never look back, never regret it.

I rely more on gut instinct than thick reports.

One thing I always try to do is to keep my word. I set my goals and stick to them. Success is more than luck. You have to believe in yourself and make it happen. That way others also believe in you.

Many people have more modest goals. But whatever your dream is, go for it. Always beware if the risks are too random or too hard to predict, but remember, if you opt for a safe life, you will never know what it’s like to win.

‘IF YOU WANT milk, don’t sit on a stool in the middle of a field in the hope that the cow will back up to you.’ This old saying could have been one of my mother’s quotes. She would have added, ‘Go on, Ricky. Don’t just sit around. Catch the cow.’

I believe in myself. I believe in the hands that work, in the brains that think, and in the hearts that love.

I believe the one thing that helps you capture the moment is to have no regrets. Regrets weigh you down. They hold you back in the past when you should move on.

Put Family and the Team First Be Loyal Face Problems Head On Money is For Making Things Happen Pick the Right People and Reward Talent

I have learned always to reward talent. Even if someone is hired to do one thing, if they have good ideas, or can handle something else, just let them do it.

My answer is that when you pick the right people, you can leave them to it. You know that things will run smoothly if you’re not there.

Be Polite and Respectful Do the Right Thing Keep Your Good Name Be Fair in All Your Dealings

Respect is about how to treat everyone, not just those you want to impress.

I couldn’t believe it. I thought that only criminals were arrested. And then it slowly dawned on me that I wasn’t a hippie pirate. This wasn’t a game. And I was a criminal. My headmaster’s words came back to me. When I left school, aged sixteen, he had said, ‘Branson, I predict that you will either go to prison or become a millionaire.’

Change the World, Even If In a Small Way Make a Difference and Help Others Do No Harm Always Think What You Can Do To Help

I believe they can use that power wisely, for the good of the world

I have learned has been as a direct result of these tests. They include: Just do it Think yes, not no Challenge yourself Have goals Have fun Make a difference Stand on your own feet Be loyal Live life to the full

I started reading more about nine years ago. I have always read, but not heavy books, but I was surprised and pleased at how quickly I got going. I speed read but, thanks to my early problems at school, absorb it all. I don’t allow myself to trip over slow or tricky words, but get the meaning from the flow and sense of the section. Now that I have started, reading has become a great pleasure. I like history books best – which has led to my interest in archaeology. At the moment, I am funding a dive off the coast of Egypt to survey the ancient city of Alexandria. My favourite books are Stalingrad by Antony Beevor and Wild Swans by Jung Chang.

Everyone needs goals. Each and every one of my lessons can be applied to all of us. Whatever we want to be, whatever we want to do, we can do it. Go ahead, take that first step – just do it.