Richard Branson’s Secret to Being a Successful Entrepreneur
Richard Branson is an entrepreneur who never loses touch with his inner child. Believing that having a childlike attitude towards life can make a person a better entrepreneur, Branson's passion for adventure and fun lifestyle should come as no surprise.
So, why is it so important to be childlike, according to Richard Branson?
1) Overcoming the stress of being an adult
Undoubtedly, being an adult is stressful. Research shows that stress suppresses people's creativity, lowers their mood, and negatively affects their health.
Balancing work and play is an important stress-reducer (as Branson does). We can add a little fun to our lives by reading a good book, attending a dance or cooking class.
We have a lot to learn from children. One of them is how to reduce stress and use our imagination. They have no job to go to, no payments to worry about, and that's enough to keep them stress-free.
We can spend at least 5 minutes every hour during the day for a funny message, a call with the person we love, or planning our future. In fact, life is about enjoying the little things. Let's be a little kid and look for fun in every corner of life.
2) Making happiness a priority at work and in life
According to CNBC, when Branson's daughter Holly took a break from her medical education and started an internship with her father, she saw that her father's childlike passion to seek happiness in every aspect of his life had a positive impact on every aspect of his work.
As long as Branson's employees are happy, his customers are also positively affected. According to Holly, her father's motto is:
“Business should make lives better.”
Branson made happiness a priority not just for himself but for everyone. We may all have different priorities, but science says that being useful to others brings happiness. If you're unsure about a job, ask yourself: Will this job really bring a smile to anyone's face? If your answer is yes, definitely get into that business.
3) Keeping curiosity awake
Richard Branson says that even as we get older, we must keep the youthful energy within us alive.
Of course, this does not mean acting completely like a child. However, it is necessary to hold on tightly to the sense of curiosity that children have.
We must see the good in people and know how to find the silver lining in every situation. An insatiable sense of curiosity is a trait we can see in successful entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Sarah Blakely and Bill Gates.
4) Do not waste time on initiatives that you will not be happy with.
Branson says in a blog post:
“If you don't enjoy what you do, stop doing it. It's that simple.”
Children do not do anything that does not make them happy, and this is an important issue that we can learn from them. Don't waste time doing anything that will not fill you or enlighten you with any purpose.
Yes, maybe you don't have the option of quitting your 9-5 job right now, but you can do things that make you happy in your free time. It is up to you to start with small steps and then turn it into a full-time job.