Do Before You Are Ready
“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity, but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!” ―Richard Branson.
I know, I know: this is the Wild Foods blog; it’s supposed to be about food, health, or nutrition.
“Blasphemy!” I say.
Why are any of those topics any different from life in general? It’s all related.
That’s what we believe here at Wild Foods.
Being effective at life is being effective at a whole slew of disciplines and categories.
And so today, I wanted to write about this little gem of a quote by Mr. Sir Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of Virgin Group.
I recently read an article about Branson that piqued my interest in him, and now I have three books about the man on my list.
I’ve also been reading a ton of his quotes on Goodreads.
Branson has a slightly different style from other billionaires (and millionaires) in that he uses simple and plain language to express his point. He doesn’t try to sound clever or be cute like many other thinkers in the “motivational quotes” section of Goodreads. (I still love them all, don’t get me wrong.)
I admit it can be easy to get caught up in fancy language, buzz words, and sounding clever (especially when writing). That’s why Branson inspired me.
It was a calling to return to the basics. To see the beauty in the simplicity. Take the quote above as an example.
How simple, almost too simple, does his advice sound? He suggests you say “yes” to something you don’t know how to do and then learn it later. This almost sounds like he’s talking to a child.
The thing is, he isn’t. He’s talking to you and me. He’s talking to the countless people who constantly sabotage themselves through a simple lack of self-confidence.
Here’s what I believe about self-confidence: It’s not about having confidence in your current abilities (although that’s part); it’s about having faith in your ability to learn new skills. Having confidence in yourself is knowing that you can figure it out.
It’s assured that you will do the work no matter what. If you are committed to putting in the world to figure it out, you can have supreme confidence in anything you undertake.
And guess what?
The people that reach greatness in life had no clue what they were doing when they started.
We have this perception that everyone “has it figured out.” But that’s all smoke and mirrors. That’s a facade. Some people have seemingly “made it” and are still learning and figuring it out.
Do not discount Branson’s advice just because it sounds too simple. Embrace simplicity, for it is powerful.
And say “yes” long before you are ready. You’ll be glad you did.
Founder/CEO, Wild Foods
