Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life

Richard Branson is a house-hold name in global business. More often than not, we perceive entrepreneurship as a mind-boggling undertaking that keeps people awake all night. In his book titled Screw it, Let's Do it (2006),Branson brings a new perspective to the manner in which business ought to be perceived. He contends that it is feasible to have fun while making a ton of money. As he puts it, "I work hard and I play hard"(1). Brandson says he is honest when he tells people that there are no secrets to becoming a millionaire. He even insists that "there are no rules to follow in business"(12). Many folks reading Branson's words would be tempted to take them with a pinch of salt but he proves with verifiable anecdotes in this book that it is very feasible to make a lot of money without sacrificing personal pleasure. His modus operandi is "Screw it, let's do it." He does share some basic tenets that guarantee success in the business world:"Believe it can be done, have goals, never give up, prepare well, have faith in yourself, and live life to the full"(1). The lesson l learned reading Branson's book is to keep trying and to never give up.Screw it, Let's Do it is not all about business. Branson feeds readers with existential lessons. He puts a high premium on family values. In his own words, "put the family... first"(68). He describes his Virgin Corporation as "a big family"(68).This business guru gives pride of place to teamwork. He has the conviction that successful entrepreneurs have the savvy to pick the right people and reward talent. In his own words, " I have learned always to reward talent"(76). Richard Branson's book was a pleasant surprise to me. It feels good to hear from someone who is filthy rich and yet so down-to-earth. I would recommend this book to friends, family members and co-workers without hesitation. It is a tiny little book that can change one's life forever. Dr. Peter Vakunta is professor at the Defense Language Institute, Monterery-CA,USA

Super inspiring, after reading this book I felt extremely motivated. This book took me on a journey of a human being who strived for success and had fun doing it, while overcoming obstacles.

What a life Richard Branson has had...I almost don't want to say anything, just to not spoil the book!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Entrepreneurial mindset and how he didn't let his Dyslexia stop him from starting his first Magazine which began his "Virgin" Life!! If I had any beef about the book, it was the section about Global Warming. I know it is a passion of his, and although I don't fully discredit it fully, I am sooo anti-Al Gore who has used the topic to become filthy rich over it, while people like Richard look for ways to "Help", and backtracks whenever someone finds evidence to the contrary to what he (Al) has said...anyway...that chapter for me, seemed painfully long, as Richard continued on and on about. I did however, find some of the History about how cars were meant to be run on other things and NOT gas, very interesting, and some of Richard's ideas for the future to help the environment very interesting as well...so, again, not a bad chapter overall, just (for me, the section around Gore and their cronies saying the world will end in a decade, and then that decade keeps getting pushed out, and they keep getting richer).

Richard Branson made his fortune because he's a shrewd business person, and also because he's been lucky at times. He's successful, however, because of his personality and attitude -- his personal philosophy -- and that's what this book is about. There is nothing earth shattering in his philosophy, except perhaps that it takes an extraordinary person to truly live up to it. I don't think that Branson was looking to make money on the book, but rather to share some ideas that, for good reason, he truly believes in. He's not one to overcomplicate things, and in this case shorter is better. He keeps it simple because to him it is simple. As other reviewers have noted, it's a small book and it can be read in one sitting. It seems like it was dictated and indeed could benefit from some editing, but perhaps that's what makes the book real and is part of its charm. If you're looking for more then buy his book "Losing My Virginity" which contains some details about his various ventures. Otherwise, Screw It, it's a good read so just buy the book. Steven K. Gold Author, Entrepreneur's Notebook: Practical Advice for Starting a New Business Venture

It was a good book to understand the motivation of others. However there was little meat as to how he did it beyond his determination. I prefer a book with some tips on how to use OPM and to find those types of investors. Still a good book for motivation. Focus, a positive outlook and a resolve to get things done is the message.

This book is quite short (hence Quick Reads), but it is full of sage advice for anyone at any point of their life. Each chapter starts with several aphorisms and then goes to explain their relevance to Mr Branson and subsequently to you. It also gives a glimpse at what it has taken Mr Branson to get to the position he is in now and the underlying philosophy behind his business. While it by no means tells anywhere near the full story of any of the many tales it provides sufficient for relevance to the aphorism. I really enjoyed reading this book and will certainly read it again at least once. I picked this up at a time of change in my own life and found almost everything to be relevant and mostly what I needed to hear, without frills or complicated explanations. Clear and precise, it is a good guide for living a full and rewarding life, all the while doing, or at least trying, the right thing by all. Great read. Strongly recommend it.

Read this for a book discussion meetup during a Virgin Voyage cruise with other explorers and it was fun inspiration to fuel conversation about making a difference with our own lives.

I chose to read this book because I've always been intrigued by Richard Branson, some of his thought processes and business management skills. He is such a risk taker, but it very much so stems back to his childhood and upbringing. His family was quite supportive in his adventures and boy does he have many to note! I think what motivates me the most is that to know someone out there pretty much risked his life on more than one occasion to follow his heart or to give things a try. He maintained such a positive mindset throughout his ventures and didn't let anything stop him like doubt, fear, people, etc. This is definitely a quick read under 2 hours of reading and I totally recommend it to young people who are on a journey of discovery desiring to launch into the deep and for adults who have that dream in their heart (whether to run a company or to take a trip around the world) to press forth and live your life out loud and to the fullest.

Richard Branson should need no further introduction to you if you are reading this page. Many of you would have already read "Losing My Virginity", and possibly the unauthorised biography "Branson" by Tom Bower. If you have read one of these before, you will find that a good part of this new book is repetition (despite the polar differences between the two aforementioned titles). A large proportion of this book is autobiographical, and as such I will focus on the new areas that Branson has discussed, and the differences between this and his previous autobiography. Firstly, I will touch on the general "feel" of this book. It seems to me to be far more inspirational than the first (which had the possibility of becoming grating at times). The autobiographical content is far more succint (being a much smaller book) and really gives you all that you need to do. Branson also does not feel the need to brag about sexual conquests within this book, as there is an altogether more mature tone, with the book broken down into various chapters each with a motivational quote and action points. I might appear to be harping on about this book being autobiographical; however it is important to note that this book has been released as a motivational tool rather than an autobiography - I believe that this makes the book far more useful than Losing My Virginity. Another key difference within this book is that Branson focuses on social responsibility, particularly in relation to the carbon dioxide emissions of his Virgin Airline fleet. I feel that this adds a whole new dimension to this book, and will open the typical readers eyes as to everybodies responsibilities (whether an individual, small business or plc) and to the work being performed in this area. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anybody who enjoyed Losing My Virginity, and also to those who were irritated by the first book and wished that it would be more about Virgin and business than Richard Branson himself.

Excelete livro! Leitura fácil, empolgante e inspiradora. Recomendo. Conta em linhas gerai a história do Branson para ir introduzindo as regras que ele segue em sua vida, e achei sua história fantástica!

My favorite one. Smart and simple. Easy to read. Lots of wisdom

Nach der Lektüre des Buches muss ich eingestehen das mich Bransons Lebensweisheiten sehr beeindruckt haben. Das Buch strotzt nur so vor schlauen Sprüchen (nein keine Platitüden) und steht den gängigen Selbsthilfebüchern in nichts nach. Nur mit dem Unterschied, dass Bransons sehr spannend und mit viel Schalk und Witz garniert seine Lebensgeschichte erzählt. Er erklärt ausführlich wie er zu seinen verschiedenen Unternehmen gekommen ist, angefangen von einer Schüler/Studenten Zeitung über ein Musiklabel und Plattenladen, bis hin zu seiner Fluglinie. Bransons plaudert viel aus dem Nähkästchen und auch wenn man vielleicht annehmen darf das einiges geschönt ist, so wirkt der Mann sehr sympathisch. "Screw it, let's do it" ist nicht nur unterhaltsam, sondern bei aufmerksamen lesen, kann man einiges für sich aus dem Buch mitnehmen. Zum Beispiel nicht um die Vergangenheit zu trauern und manchmal sollte man (egal ob Mann oder Frau) auch einfach Eier in der Hose haben und sich etwas trauen. Denn Erfolg kann sich nur mit Mut einstellen und genau nach diesem Motto lebt und arbeitet Branson. Das Buch ist sowohl in dieser expanded Edition, als auch in der kürzeren Quick Read Version empfehlenswert (Englischkenntnisse vorausgesetzt).

I like sir Branson view of life and many things I agree with him. Was interesting to read how he started from small and grew to big companies but most respect I see in him that he did not concentrate just to make money and show off or retire but he uses it for good causes...