Treat failure as a lesson on how not to approach achieving a goal, and then use that learning to improve your chances of success when you try again. Failure is only the end if you decide to stop.
Richard BransonRead
I wanted to be an editor or a journalist, I wasn't really interested in being an entrepreneur, but I soon found I had to become an entrepreneur in order to keep my magazine going.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the unexpected journey of becoming an entrepreneur out of necessity rather than interest.
Richard Branson's quote reflects the idea that sometimes, the paths we take in our careers diverge from our initial aspirations. In his case, he wanted to be an editor or journalist, but the realities of running a magazine compelled him to embrace entrepreneurship. This illustrates how circumstances can lead us to take on roles that we may not have originally desired, but which can ultimately lead to success and fulfillment.
In practice
During a speech about overcoming challenges in business.
Treat failure as a lesson on how not to approach achieving a goal, and then use that learning to improve your chances of success when you try again. Failure is only the end if you decide to stop.
It's a common misconception that money is every entrepreneur's metric for success. It's not, and nor should it be.
Some 80% of your life is spent working. You want to have fun at home; why shouldn't you have fun at work?
Values cannot be speedily forgotten if it is inconvenient or commercially expedient. Values have to have meaning and longevity; otherwise they are valueless. You cannot embrace innovation up to a point or only sometimes. Branding demands commitment; commitment to continual re-invention; striking cords with people to stir their emotions; and commitment to imagination. It is easy to be cynical about such things, much harder to be successful.
Please don’t get hung up on this question of whether you need to have experience in an industry before you launch your startup.
What's the most critical factor in any business decision you'll ever have to make? Basically, it boils down to this question: If this all crashes, will it bring the whole house tumbling down like a pack of cards? One business matra remains embedded in my brain - protect the downside.
Money is plentiful for those who understand the simple laws which govern its acquisition.
A good reputation for yourself and your company is an invaluable asset not reflected in the balance sheets.
I'm not saying I'm something special. I might play a little better tennis than other people, but it is because I was given the chance, and not many people are.
Successful people ask for the criticism of others and consider its merit.
A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.
I want to look back on my career and be proud of the work, and be proud that I tried everything.
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