Richard Branson's Most Powerful Success Tool Isn't What You'd Expect
Richard Branson is a well-known entrepreneur whose journey started when he founded the Virgin Group, (named after his inexperience in business, by the way).
Virgin became a powerful, billion-dollar company and set the stage for Branson's many other entrepreneurial successes. But even with over 400 companies under his reign, the business magnate still finds time to go kitesurfing, play tennis, and even swim while wearing a mermaid tail.
So when Branson says he's about to reveal "one of the most powerful tools" he has in his "bag of business tricks," you'd expect something mind-blowing.
But in reality, his secret weapon is this: A notebook and pen.
Hold on, don't roll your eyes and click away just yet. You'd be surprised at the ways Branson uses his notebook to aid his career and even his personal life. Here are a few of his secrets:
1. Critiquing his own company experience
One of Branson's favorite hobbies is to be his own customer and note any questions or observations that pop up along the way. On one occasion, he left Las Vegas on a Virgin America flight and noticed something crucial.
It was a swelteringly hot day, and his flight attendants came by kindly offering hot towels. Understandably, neither he nor the other customers wanted them. Branson wrote it down in his trusty notebook and later read it out to his employees back at the company. The result? All flights leaving hot destinations began offering cold towels.
Who knows when or if this important detail would have been caught if Branson hadn't experienced it himself and written about it.
2. Evidence for management and negotiation
Sometimes entrepreneurs have meetings and forget to write down a few details. It happens. But not to Branson.
His notebook never leaves his side and he makes sure to jot down very specific observations during all his work-related interactions. This has proved to be a highly useful habit and has helped him settle countless client arguments. Whenever past agreements are questioned, Branson can simply flip open his notebook and say, "Actually, on April 7th at 3:57 pm, you said..."
Branson's notes have become so valuable in this respect that they have even served as evidence in court. Bet you didn't expect a notebook could be that important, right?
3. Keeping track of amusing stories
Unsurprisingly, Branson doesn't use his notebook for all work and no play. One of the things he loves to write down is whatever he finds entertaining at the time. It could be something to use in a future blog post or a funny story his daughter told him.
In fact, he used the anecdotes in his notebook for his speech on his daughter's wedding day. So don't limit your own notebook to strictly business, you may end up finding golden nuggets buried in your personal scribblings too.
4. Lists and goals
Okay, you probably saw this one coming. To be fair, Branson has a lot going on in his life so if he doesn't make lists, he'll probably forget what he has to do. On his blog, he explained his strategy for getting everything done.
"I make lists — lots of them," ranging from lists of people to call and upcoming plans to lists of ideas and companies to set up."
Aside from making lists of small daily tasks, Branson recommends also noting far off, outlandish goals. "What do you want to have achieved by 2020? How about 2050?" These should be personal as well as business-oriented goals, he says.
So, you see? There's nothing quite like an old-fashioned notebook and pen to jot down from what your client said to your most amazing ideas. To wrap this up, here's a bonus tip from Branson: Always choose to write in a notebook over typing. Your laptop or phone has many distracting temptations, whereas a blank page simply lets you focus.
An idea not written down is an idea lost. When inspiration calls, you've got to capture it.-- Richard Branson
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.