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
To be successful, you have to be out there, you have to hit the ground running, and if you have a good team around you and more than a fair share of luck, you might make something happen. But you certainly can't guarantee it just by following someone else's formula.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success requires proactive effort, teamwork, and an element of luck rather than simply adhering to established methods.
In this quote, Richard Branson emphasizes that achieving success is not just about following a predetermined path or formula laid out by others. It involves actively engaging in one's endeavors ('hit the ground running'), surrounding oneself with a supportive team, and being open to the unpredictable nature of chance ('more than a fair share of luck'). While these elements can contribute to success, there are no guarantees, underscoring the idea that every individual's journey is unique.
Themes
SuccessTeamworkEffortLuckIndividuality
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a motivational speech to encourage employees to take initiative in their projects.
More from Richard Branson
All quotes →It's a common misconception that money is every entrepreneur's metric for success. It's not, and nor should it be.
Richard BransonRead
Some 80% of your life is spent working. You want to have fun at home; why shouldn't you have fun at work?
Richard BransonRead
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.
Richard BransonRead
Please don’t get hung up on this question of whether you need to have experience in an industry before you launch your startup.
Richard BransonRead
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.
Richard BransonRead
Similar quotes
If you sacrifice early, you'll win late.
Charles HaleyRead
There's a certain sense of ownership that the fans have over you....The thing is, it's all good. You just have to get used to it. If somebody comes up to you while you're eating dinner or something, it's kind of like, 'Well, I asked for it.' It's much better than the alternative-nobody caring and nobody buying your music. The point is to try to just realize that these people are really excited, and that's a good thing. You want them to be that way.
Carrie UnderwoodRead
There are only two words that will always lead you to success. Those words are yes and no. Undoubtedly, you've mastered saying yes. So start practicing saying no. Your goals depend on it!
Jack CanfieldRead
The Nobel is a ticket to one's own funeral. No one has ever done anything after he got it.
T. S. EliotRead
The ability to concentrate and to use time well is everything.
Lee IacoccaRead
It's a difficult place being on top because, for me, beating the Average Joe has no significance, but for the Average Joe, beating me could be the biggest match of his life, potentially.
Jordan BurroughsRead