June 2019: Screw it, Let’s Do it by Richard Branson
Summary Notes for Screw it, Let’s Do it by Richard Branson
The following are point-form notes from the book. Obviously they are concise and really intended as an appendix to the book itself. If you’d like some further discussion have a listen to our June FB Live, or spark up a discussion in The Clique.
Here you go:
Daydreams vs Goals- Richard dreams, then he finds out how to be practical with the dreams.
If you love to do it, do it. Jump in.
Have fun and the money will come.
Ask yourself, “Is my work fun and does it make me happy?”
Be ready to shift the business model if something doesn’t work (Story of the Christmas Trees and rabbits) >> Us and CWC Events, now we have The Clique as well.
Be bold, but don’t gamble- take calculated risks.
If the risks are too random or hard to predict, be aware, but if you opt for a safe life you won’t know what it’s like to win.
Trust your instincts and if an idea grabs you, if it’s exciting, then find a way to do it.
When things were tough, he: worked out a cash-flow survival plan. He hired the right people. He got a good team. He stuck to it. He wouldn't take no for an answer. He found other ways around problems.
Believe in yourself to make it happen.
Be glad when you win. Don’t have regrets when you lose. Never look back. You can’t change the past. Try and learn from it.
Challenge is what makes us human.
James Ullman, “Challenge is the core and mainspring of all human action. If there’s an ocean we cross it.” etc
Recipe for rabbit pie: First catch the rabbit > you have to go out and get what you want.
Story about buying back Virgin: that 182M was worth it to keep his freedom and his good name. He wanted to be master of his own fate.
Live in the moment.
Salvador Dali story about the peach: savour a perfect moment and don’t spoil it by wanting more, or by regretting your choices.
The importance of sleep (and self-care)- note, link to Egg Wisdom from Kate Northrup
Money is just a means to an end, not an end in itself.
Money is for making thing happen.
Relationships are important. We all need a support network.
Spread the risk/ don’t have all your eggs in one basket.
Hire good people.
Respect is about how you treat everyone, not just the people you want to impress. You never know who is watching.
Japanese story of having the long game (200 year plans for businesses).
All we have in our life is our good name, or people won’t trust us.
Never do anything that will stop you from sleeping at night.
Using a setback (gaol) as a driver for success.
Be charitable, the cheapest way: to do no harm.
Create space for ideas to come to you.
Have a notebook for your ideas
Keep an open mind when you have these ideas
Keep learning.
In Summary:
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
Chase fun, not money
