Screw it, let's do it

by Richard Branson

Another book by a successful entrepreneur, even much more so than Felix Dennis. This expanded edition is laced with green awareness stuff, which my be well for the survival of mankind, but I doubt it had anything to do with Branson's success.

My main impression is that he was successful, because he (1) combines a deep belief in that he can do it with (2) trying another way. He's just not giving up, and he's not so dumb to keep doing what does not work. He finds ways around the obstacles. It's like skeptical optimism.

Dick's the secret formula to get rich: do not try to. It's not so important. Enjoy your life. Work hard, believe in what you do, enjoy what you do.

Success is driven by goals. Aim high. Always try. Challenge yourself.

Do the hard sell and promote yourself. (He spends about a third of his time on this)

Just do it. Do whatever you do with your whole heart and as good as you can. Once decided, put all your strength into it.

Never give up. (This contradicts killing off failures quickly. I think it comes back to believing overall, but trying different ways.)

Try to be different rather than compete in a crowded market.

Plan and prepare -- if you want to do anything well.

If work is not fun anymore, ask yourself why? If you can't fix it, stop it.

You have to invest money to make money.

Avoid risks -- that is, take risks, but don't be stupid. Limit them as much as possible, and estimate them. Be bold, but do not gamble. Calculate risks and take them.

Keep your word. Do not commit, do not make a promise if you do not want to keep it.

No regrets, no looking back (other than to avoid repeating mistakes).