4 lessons I learned from Richard Branson

After I closed my startup, I had a chance for an inspiring conversation with Sir Richard Branson on Necker Island.

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Here are 4 memorable lessons from him:

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𝟭. 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗱

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I was particularly inspired by his strong vision, big dreams, and commitment to make things work.

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Think beyond everything you knew it was possible.

You’ll end up in places you didn’t know existed.

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𝟮. 𝗕𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝘆𝘀

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This is an inevitable part of dreaming big.

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Richard Branson stood up with Virgin Atlantic against British Airways, despite the fact that they were extremely unfair.

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This is part of the game.

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𝟯. 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲

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It takes a lot of courage to start a company.

But it takes more to walk away if it’s not working.

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Recognize when it’s time to call it a day.

Holding it longer will not make it work.

Pivot or let it go.

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𝟰. 𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁.

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Don’t let yourself be discouraged after failure.

Keep going until you are successful.

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You are making mistakes.

But you are learning. 

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At the end I asked Mr. Branson:

“What words of wisdom do you have for an entrepreneur who gave their everything and it didn’t work out?”

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He replied back:

“Oh, my words are simply to do exactly as you have done, and that is pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and try again.”

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