Screw It, Let’s Do It Lessons in Life - Richard Branson
Lessons in Life by Richard Branson
Introduction
Richard Branson and his partners at Virgin are called ‘Mavericks in paradise’ because they conduct business in a less formal way.
Branson emphasizes the importance of hard work and play.
He acknowledges learning many lessons throughout his life, starting from his youth and continuing into his business career.
Branson encourages readers to find inspiration in his lessons.
He believes in setting goals and being practical about achieving them.
He emphasizes the importance of doing things well and not half-heartedly.
Branson shares his experience with dyslexia, which was not well understood during his school years. He compensated by teaching himself to learn things by heart, which has become a valuable tool in business.
He observes that life is less certain now than in the past, requiring people to make choices to succeed.
Branson emphasizes the lesson of just doing it, regardless of how difficult it may seem.
He quotes Plato: ‘The beginning is the most important part of any work.’
He uses the metaphor of a journey of a thousand miles starting with the first step.
Branson encourages readers to take the first step towards their goals, even in the face of challenges, emphasizing that effort leads to achievement. He wishes the reader Good Luck.
Just Do It!
Core principles:
Believe it can be done.
Have goals.
Live life to the full.
Never give up.
Prepare well.
Have faith in yourself.
Help each other.
Branson is known as ‘Dr. Yes’ at Virgin due to his positive attitude and willingness to try new things.
His motto is: 'Screw it let's do it!'
He encourages his staff to take initiative and values their ideas, which benefits both the staff and Virgin.
Branson believes that the word “can’t” should not be a barrier.
He suggests finding alternative routes to goals if the right experience is lacking.
He uses examples like starting at the bottom in a company to gain experience.
Branson shares the story of his mother, Eve, who disguised herself as a man to become a pilot during the war.
After the war, Eve used her resourcefulness to become an air hostess, even without the required qualifications.
The author mentions his grandad’s cousin, Captain Robert Scott, who was a courageous explorer. Scott aimed to be the first to the South Pole and nearly succeeded but died on the return journey.
Branson started student magazine at fifteen, defying those who said he was too young and inexperienced.
He carefully calculated the costs and potential income, proving that it could be done.
His mother provided initial capital for stamps. Branson and a friend spent two years writing letters to sell advertising space.
He describes the excitement of receiving their first cheque for advertising space, which validated their belief in the project.
Branson left school at sixteen to work full time on student, with his parents' support.
He and his friend lived in a basement, enjoying a youthful, free lifestyle while working hard on the magazine.
They secured interviews with famous people, rivaling top magazines.
The magazine covered significant issues like the Vietnam War and the famine in Biafra, contributing to social change.
The team worked closely and seized every opportunity.
They branched out into selling cut-price records by mail order and, after a postal strike, opened record shops.
Branson was still under twenty when the record store chain expanded, generating significant income.
Branson wanted to live life to the full, like Captain Scott.
In 1984, Branson sponsored a powerboat to win the Blue Riband for the fastest ocean crossing from America to Ireland.
He joined the crew and trained hard, despite his wife being close to giving birth.
His wife, Joan, encouraged him to go, saying the baby wasn't due for two weeks.
During the race, Branson received news of his son's birth.
They faced a major storm and the boat sank 60 miles from the end. They were saved by a passing boat.
Branson didn’t give up and returned six years later with Virgin Atlantic challenger II.
They faced engine problems due to seawater in the fuel tanks.
Despite the crew wanting to give up, Branson encouraged them to keep trying.
They eventually beat the record by two hours and nine minutes, demonstrating the importance of perseverance.
The day after winning the Blue Riband, Per Lindstrand invited Branson to cross the Atlantic in a hot air balloon.
Branson was inspired by Captain Scott’s balloon flight over the South Pole.
Despite the risks and potential impact on his companies, Branson accepted the challenge.
He first asked Per if he had any children and, satisfied that he did, agreed to join him. He said, 'Screw it, let's do it!'
Branson emphasizes the importance of planning and preparation and went to Spain to learn how to fly a balloon.
Each hot-air balloon carries fuel, which is burned to heat the air in the balloon. When the fuel is not burned, the air cools and the balloon drops lower in the sky.
The pilot must heat or cool the air so that the balloon is at the right level to catch the wind going in the direction the balloon needs to go.
They left from America and, 29 hours later, were over Ireland, the first to cross the Atlantic in a hot-air balloon.
They dropped the full fuel tanks in a field to avoid a dangerous landing. But bounced across a field and shot up into the sky, out of control.
Per suggested landing on the beach to avoid hurting people.
They flew into thick fog, missing the beach, and the sea looked very black and stormy. Per jumped into the icy sea.
Branson floated higher into the clouds, alone. He wrote in his notebook,' Joan, Holly, Sam, I love you.'
As the balloon drifted down towards the grey sea, he saw a helicopter, and the crew rescued me.
They rescued Per just before he froze to death.
Branson learned many lessons: prepare well, have faith in yourself, help each other, never give up.
These lessons can be used in all aspects of life.
Success often starts small - Branson sold space in student magazine from a payphone.
To succeed, one must let go of fears and take a leap of faith.
Have Fun
Core principles:
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.
Branson acknowledges his success, with people asking his secret to making money. He says that there are no rules to follow in business. He just works hard and tries to have fun.
Before his risky round-the-world balloon trip in 1997, he wrote a letter to his children, emphasizing living life to the full, enjoying every minute, and loving family.
Making money was not included in that list.
He says that the fun and the challenge in life were what he wanted. Not money.
He believes that money is important, but he never went into business to make money.
He asks himself if his work is fun and makes him happy. He believes that the answer to that matters more than fame or fortune. If something stops being fun, he stops doing it.
Branson has had downs as well as ups. On the whole he has been very lucky. He says that for almost as long as I remember, he has had fun and I've made money.
His first business lessons weren’t success, but I learned from them.
At nine years old, he and his friend tried to grow Christmas trees. They enjoyed themselves, but rabbits ate all the seedlings. He had to learn to use figures.
They got revenge on the rabbits and made a small profit and all our friends had rabbit pie. We all gained something.
On holiday, he found my very own desert island and an airline. In 1976, he was working and building up Virgin Music.
They signed up the Sex Pistols so things were on the up. They were very busy but they also had a great deal of fun. People said things like Branson’s lucky devil’ to come across a huge hit like Tubular bells. Yes, it was a lucky break, but we grabbed it.
Other record company had turned down Tubular Bells. Mike oldfield was too shy to promote the album. We made a video and showed it on TV, and got it used as the soundtrack of The Exorcist.
He went to Jamaica where he signed up reggae bands and some toasters with cash. It was a perfect example of his motto – have fun and the money will come.
While in Jamaica. Joan phoned me out of the blue. ‘Can you meet me in New York?’ ‘Can you meet me in New York?’ ‘Can you meet me in New York?’They longed to escape and spend some time alone.
I said I owned a record company and wanted to buy an island to build a studio on it. I said I owned a record company and wanted to buy an island to build a studio on it.
Joan and I flew to the British Virgin Islands. We were treated like royalty. The next day a helicopter was waiting to take us on a tour. We skimmed over green palm trees and a blue sea and toured fantastic private estates and had a great time.
They asked the agent if he had something that we hadn’t seen.The agent said an English lord owned an island called Necker, a man who had never been there.
At first, island hopping was a game. We didn’t mean to buy an island. I didn’t think I could afford one. But now I was excited. I wanted to own our own place in paradise. We flew landed on a white sandy beach and he fell in love with Necker on the spot.
The agent warned us that there was no fresh water on the island.He thought ‘They can’t be asking a lot for a desert island with no water and no house.’ The price was three million pounds.’ It was far beyond my reach. He offered £150,000.
We stayed spend the night in a bed and breakfast in the village and left the next day. When they got to the airport, the flight was cancelled. So I chartered a plane for £2000. I divided that by the number of people. It came to £39 a head. I borrowed a blackboard and wrote on it: VIRGIN AIRWAYS. £39 SINGLE FLIGHT TO PUERTO RICO.
They had never chartered a plane before. I saw and grabbed the chance. And look at virgin Atlantic today! We fly to 30 places around the world. He did more research. I found that the owner of Necker was not rich. I offered £175,000, which I didn’t have either. It was turned down. I left it at that and got on with work. Three months later, I got a call to say the island was mine if I offered £180,000. I was told that, as art of the deal, I had to build a house and a plant to take the salt out of the seawater so that we could use it within five years.
He vowed to reach my goal. He promised himself that I would make enough money to pay for the island, which I did, by taking on loans from the bank and by borrowing from my friends and family. So, while it doesn’t have to be buying an island, this is why I can say, have fun and the money will come and in turn so will your goals. If you feel tired, call a friend.
Hard work and fun is what life is all about. As soon as something stops being fun, I think it’s time to move on. Life is too short to be unhappy. I found this out years ago in my working relationship with my oldest friend, Nik Powell.
Nik was with me from very start of the virgin. His main job was to run the virgin records stores. They did very well. When we started airline, we wanted it to be the best. We sank millions of pounds into it. Nik didn’t enjoy taking such huge risks. He made the right choice. This is why I say, never just try to make money. Long– term success will never come if profit is the only aim.
I am already having fun. Fun is at the core of the way I do business. It has been the key to it all from the start. I see no reason to change it, and is a great example of grabbing your opportunities when they arise.
Even those with little experience can create a successful Internet mail-order business. Prince Charles sells his organic food online. And there’s even a mail order Christmas tree business – Christmas Tree Land – which started out as a small roadside stall.
You can be an artist or writer. You can be a gardener. You can make and sell dolls’ houses. Anita Roddik made skin cream in her kitchen. Now the Body Shop is a big Empire.
Even without the Internet anyone can start up a new business from home.
Work hard and earn your pay. Enjoy the people you come into contact with through your job. And if you are still unhappy, make it instead your goal to divide your private life from your work life. Have fun in your own time, you will feel happier and you’ll enjoy your life and your job more.
Be Bold
Core principles:
Calculate the risks and take them.
Believe in yourself.
Chase your dreams and goals.
Have no regrets.
Be bold.
Keep your word.
In 2004 I Made a TV series, The rebel Billionaire. The final episode had a twist at the end.There was a catch. He could take the cheque or toss a coin for an even bigger mystery prize. ALL or nothing.
Shawn Nelson decided he couldn't risk losing that much money on the toss of a coin. It could change his life for the better. It would also help the people who worked for him and believed in him. He made the right choice and didn't gamble on something that he couldn't control. He got the million dollars and the mystery prize.
People who work at virgin are special. They aren't sheep. They think for themselves. They have good ideas and I listen to them.
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.'
Branson received a plan for ‘flying machine’ and invited the man to show me how it worked.
Richard Ellis took off in the flying machine and crashed to earth.
As a child, I knew the war hero, Douglas Bader. I am sure that luck plays a very large part. 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.
People are doing it all the time. And once we decided to do something, we should never look back, never regret it.
Freddie Laker wanted to make air travel cheap enough so that more people could afford it, but the airline had collapsed in 1982. It would cost a great deal of money and I told myself, ‘Don’t be tempted. Don’t even think about it.’ But I was tempted. The idea grabbed me. It was exciting.
I can make up my mind about people and ideas in sixty seconds. I rely more in gut instinct than thick reports. It was a very bold step, but worth it.
I spent a weekend thinking it over. By Sunday evening I had made up my mind. I would be bold.I would just do it.
On Monday, I called Boing, the biggest American company that made planes. He met my parents in virgin music to discuss it. It will be fun.” They weren’t happy with the word ‘fun’. To them, Business was serious.
I asked Sir Freddie Laker to lunch to talk about my new project. He told me how an airline worked and said to watch out for dirty tricks from British Airways.
All of his advice was helpful when I had to but good fun also in life.
BA did try dirty tricks against us. When Virgin Atlantic launched in 1984, not one person thought it would survive for more than a year, and I won.
When I was in Japan, I thought it was great. We produced the world’s most advanced learning train. The TV news said we had made good on our promises.
One thing I always try to do is to keep my word. I sat my goals and stick to them. Success is more than luck. You have to believe in yourself and make it happen.
Don’t have regrets when you lose. Never look back. You can’t change the past. I try to learn from it.
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.
Challenge Yourself
Core Principles:
Aim high
Try New Things
Always Try
Challenge Yourself
Everyone needs something to aim for. You can call it a challenge, or you can call it a goal. It is what makes us human.
The stretch is fun.
When he was four or five years old the sea was rough and the waves were high, but I tried for hours. He learnt in a river.
One thing I couldn’t do very well was read. She believes anything is possible if you try.
We decided to cross the Pacific ocean, from Japan to the USA. It was a far more dangerous venture. Whatever the danger, I wouldn’t give in and think Joan understood.
The winds are slower. The capsule made it through unharmed.
Per pressed the button to release the empty fuel tank. Two full tanks as well as the empty one had fallen off one side.
During the episode one of the burners caught fire.
In 1990, Branson attempted to cross the Pacific Ocean in a hot air balloon with Per Lindstrand, a more dangerous venture than crossing the Atlantic and the pair finally landed in a blizzard.
Just before we had left to cross the Pacific, Holly, sent him a fax.
It seemed a perfect metaphor for life. I have been lucky. I think Ullman summed it all up when he said something like. ’Challenge is the core and mainspring of all human action. If there’s an ocean, we cross it.
Stand on Your Own Feet
Core principle:
Rely on Yourself
Chase your Dreams but Live in the Real World.
Work Together
‘IF YOU WANT MILK, don’t sit on a stool in the middle of the field in the hope that the cow will back up you.’
Lessons like this, taught to me by my Mum from when I was toddler, are what have made me stand on my own two feet. She taught to think for myself and get things done.
When I would return, instead, Mum said, ‘well done, Ricky. Was that fun? Now run along, the vicar wants you to chop some logs for him.’
To some people this might sound harsh. But the members of my family love and care for each other very much.
Mum made little wooden tissue boxes and wastepaper bins and sold on to Harrods.
Years later, when I was running Virgin Records, Aunt Clare phoned me to say that one of her sheep had started singing. ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ became a hit.
I still rely on myself and in my goals. I lost faith in virgin on the stock exchange and sold the launch to return to being private
I acted on my instinct. Virgin shares started to slip and, for the firs time in my life, I was depressed. Then there was huge stock- market crash. Shares dropped fast.Many were like the couple who had given me their lifesavings. Then there was huge stock- market crash. Shares dropped fast.
The day that Virgin became a private company again was like landing safely after a record attempt in a powerboat or a balloon.
I believe in myself. I believe in the hands that work, in the brains that think, and in the hearts that love.
Live the Moment
Core Principles:
Love Life and Live It To The full
Enjoy the Moment
Reflect on your Life
Make Every Second Count
Don't Have Regrets
In 1997, I was in a round the World hot-air balloon race. For me, this was not true.
The hard-won are more valuable than those that come too easily. It reminded me to always enjoy the moment.
It’s one of the most peaceful places I know.Balloons have taught me to reflect more.
My grandmother lived life to the full and to be active well into old age.Her attitude was that you've only got one go in life, so you should make the most of it.
The writer is able to say that now because I am older and perhaps wiser. It wasn't always the case.
I never stop thinking. One of the things I am very good at is catnapping, catching an hour or two of sleep at a time.
I am able to say that now because I am older and perhaps wiser. It wasn't always the case.
You wish you hadn't thrown it away. You want it back. I believe the one thing that helps is to have no regrets. Regrets weigh you down.I believe the past is the past I can't regret it.
You can't change it. So, even if sometimes you get things wrong, regrets are wasted and you should move on.
A case of this is during a fishing trip in Mexico during bad weather. It was the state of the boat that was the problem, and that wasn't The point is, don't worry, it will be alright in the end. One of those cases where it turns out ok.
Always living in the future can slow us down as much as always looking behind I have learned to live for the moment.
Value Family and Friends
Core Principles:
Put the Family and the Team First
Be Loyal
Face Problems Head On
Money is for Making Things Happen
Pick the Right People and Reward Talent
Our family was like that, a close-knit team. Virgin is also like a big family. Today, there are some 40,000 members of staff, but each one of those team members counts and were a guest and had to be put first.
You can be best friends with someone and still not agree and stay friendly
faced what to o face up to Nik
Money was always tight in those early years and the biggest print media groups were keen but refused with a cheap airline the board was stunned.
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The advert, sadly that wasn't the case when a castle was the first attempt that failed.
Excited, I called the Estate agent and I asked for a quick sale and the estate agent agreed.
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