Richard Branson is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the whole world as the 66-year-old is said to have a net worth of $5 billion. But if people were to ask him what success really means to him, many will be surprised to know that the tycoon thinks that money has nothing to do with it.
In a post on LinkedIn, Branson said that too many people measure how successful they are by how much money they make or the people they associate with.
“In my opinion, true success should be measured by how happy you are,” he continued.
Branson said that people might find it strange that some of the toughest times in his life are related to moments where he has made a lot of money. The entrepreneur said that he never forgot the sorrow that he felt when he sold Virgin Records. It appears that the brand had a sentimental value for the philanthropist, as the music label was one of his first successful ventures.
Branson said that he needed to sell Virgin Records so they could keep his airline, Virgin Atlantic, afloat. Having a cheque for a billion dollars in his pocket did not console him, as he built the company from scratch.
The father-of-two said that money should not be the metric for success.
“I’ve never gone into business to make money,” said Branson. “The simple fact is, if you do good and have fun, the money will come.”
The businessman gave an example of what people can achieve when they prioritize their happiness and health above acquiring material possessions. In a blog post on the official Virgin website, Branson said that a teenager named Logan LaPlante is one person who knows the importance of seeking happiness.
Back in 2013, LaPlante gave a TED Talk on called “Hackschooling Makes Me Happy” which focuses on his homeschooling experience and the importance of happiness during the learning process. Branson said that LaPlante, who was 13 at the time of his TED Talk, has realized the importance of seeking health and happiness early in life, and that this is something that too many people discover too late.
In his TED Talk, LaPlante said that kids are often told to go to school, go to college, get a job, get married, and then you’ll be happy. But the teenager posed an important question: “What if we based education on the study and practice of being happy and healthy?”
Branson said that everyone who wants to get inspired should watch the TED Talk, which has been viewed over 9 million times on YouTube since it was uploaded on Feb. 12, 2013.
“It’s an incredibly inspiring talk, which I encourage you to watch,” said the entrepreneur.
For more, check out Jobs & Hire’s report on what Bill Gates would say to his 19-year-old self.
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