Screw It Lets Do It -
Richard Branson

In the quick read book, Screw It Lets Do It, Richard Branson sets out some basic guidelines that have formed the foundations of his success. It will take you maybe half a day to read the book cover to cover (if that long), but the wisdom it contains is priceless.

From the first lesson that follows Nike's slogan, Just Do It!, one gets the feeling that Richard Branson is a step beyond most people. Where most ordinary people see an opportunity and stop to evaluate it, he will say, let's do it. So while you wait to see if there is danger or risk in the idea, he will be ten steps ahead already. He admits that he never says no to an idea and that may be the very reason he is so successful - he finds ways to make things happen.

You also learn about some of his money views. For example, money is just an enabler - it enables you to accomplish things. He also likes to have fun, which is his second guideline. Have fun doing what you like, and the money will follow. If you are not doing the things that you like, chances are you will not be successful. We definitely get the feeling that he is a man of intensity and positiveness and if he says it can be done you find yourself believing.

He is a bold man and believes in boldness (not the baldness on the head kind of boldness :) ) as an attribute of successful people. Look at the opportunity, calculate the risks and take action if the rewards are worth it. Be bold, but don't gamble.

Challenge yourself! If the tasks you set for yourself are too easy, you are not aiming high enough. Set the bar a bit higher and expect more. This is is his fourth guideline. Try and go for something better. Do things differently from the way you've done it before. He says there are two challenges that he enjoys. Number one is doing the best work that he can and number two is seeking out adventure.

Advice that could be given to any one that believe in entitlement, is the words of his fifth guideline: Stand on your own feet. The world owes you nothing - it is not going to bring you what you want, you'll have to go out there and get it yourself.

As a man of adventure, one can definitely feel that his sixth principle is spoken from integrity (does what he believe and says he will do): Live the moment. The saying goes, one regrets more the things you didn't do than the things you did do, and that is probably one of his motto's. He is a man that makes every second counts and by being a man of action and adventure, I doubt there are a lot of things he'd regret (by error of omission :) )

If you value your family and friends and keep being respectful, you'd be following his next two guidelines. It is often the case that you need someone around you that you can trust and without loyal friends and family you'll be all by yourself. He shares some time when he was illegally selling tax free goods which landed him in jail. Remembering a lesson from his parents (All you have is a good name) he worked very hard to pay every penny of his settlement back. He learned his lesson and it was to have respect for the law and make your money legally.

And whether you have money or not, do some good. If you have money or are well known, you can do even more with the influence you have (like mentioned before, one of his views is that money is an enabler).

Like this review, the book, Screw It, Let's Do It, is a quick read chock full of the wisdoms that made and still makes Richard Branson a successful man by anyone's standard. And it is definitely worth a couple of hours of your time to read through it and learn more about what makes people like him successful.

If you'd like to find out more about Richard Branson, you can read his biography here here.

You can get Screw It Lets Do It from Amazon.