Losing My Virginity- the Autobiography by Richard Branson

“You only live once, and I just don’t want to waste a minute of my life.” Richard Branson

I have been meaning to read this biography for years. I remember closer to when I finished school looking up to Richard and all his success, and telling myself I must read his biography and learn what he does.

Life got in the way, I got side tracked and to be truthful getting through a book that long back than would have given me headaches just thinking about it.

Now I have read it and I tell you what, it feels good. Not because I achieved it but more so the information and insight I have experienced as Richard shares all, in his life’s journey.

Being mindful this book is over two decades old so the information needs updating and realistically he could probably do with writing another entire biography. However the information in this is still relevant.

It begins, funnily enough, at the start of his entrepreneurial journey and meanders through his life year by year all the way to 1993.

What I love about this book, and biographies in general, is that you can gain valuable insight into how they think and behave.

People are amazing beings and each one of us has an inspiring story to share. I believe we can learn something from everyone we meet.

At this level however it comes with much more. The learning’s, lessons, practices, habits and behaviours you can take away from someone with this much success are ten fold.

When it is someone you look up to, or someone who you indeed inspire to be more like- you can then pull out what’s required to take you on a similar journey.

I do not suggest that I or we all or will become the next Richard Branson, for some of you this may be the case, yet rather that we can all take some part of Richard’s story on board so that we live to a higher level. Create the success that we so desire in our life.

Richard’s story is not one of instant or overnight success. It’s a journey of 1000 miles. He didn’t walk into riches or fame rather he created it. He had a somewhat normal upbringing with good parents and yet from a young age he dared to dream.

Having an entrepreneurial flare and a willingness to just give it a go and take action was enough to set him on his path to success. One of his tag lines that he has become known for is, “Screw it, just do it!”

I have shared in previous blog posts what he traits are and certainly his secrets to success and his has many other great books that highlight what it takes to lead a company to success as he does, indeed what it takes to live a kick ass life, also.

From starting out with a student magazine with very humble beginnings to taking on the giants, British Airways, as they set out to attach Virgin Airlines, this story shares it all.

It was certainly not always a walk in the park but he did whatever it took. The way Virgin Records started, working from a houseboat while trying to recruit future rock stars. To having a million dollar business that eventually sold to EMI for a reported $1 billion is simply inspiring.

It goes to show with the right belief, the willingness to just get things done coupled with the tenacity and ability to preservers, just about anything can be done. Richard never gives up.

Always having a unique interest for adventure including the unstoppable drive, even after near death experiences, to be the first to travel the globe in a hot air balloon. He is a man that is committed.

He is not a manager as such which may strike many as odd but rather an undeniably great leader.

The ability to inspire others to adopt his, with what would be considered, outlandishly big visions, to create companies and take on and disrupt already densely competitive industries is a clear sign of this characteristic.

He creates followers and has always believed in surrounding himself by the right people and teams. He is a dyslexic and has many characteristics that you would expect of someone with his success, and this for me is what makes him so real. I think for many this is why he has such great support from the wider public.

He is not just another CEO or business type person. He is uniquely his own and he has always gone about doing business in his own way.

Has he had failures? You bet. And as he would suggest from every time we fail there are great learning’s. Obviously also he has had his wins.

He has humour, he speaks the truth, seems very humble in his approach, like to treat people as he would be treated, breaks the rules, steps outside what’s normal, likes adventure and to have fun, and just goes out and takes action.

This book has great teachings of how to win in life that I think we can all benefit from.

If this book sounds of interest you can purchase Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way here.

Please leave your thoughts, comments & questions below.

Peace, passion and purpose…

Other books by Richard Branson