The billionaire changed my life.

Imagine cycling over 480km in 4 days, climbing over 6km of uphill terrain without any formal training, but alongside you is billionaire Richard Branson - the owner of Virgin Group.

That's exactly what Kurt Long, founder and CEO of cybersecurity firm FairWarning, experienced earlier this month. Long visited Neckar Island, owned by Branson, where he met the billionaire and played a few games of tennis with him.

After the race, Branson invited Long to participate in the Virgin Strive Challenge. This race, organized by the billionaire, involves cycling hundreds of kilometers, climbing active volcanoes, and circling steep mountain ranges, with the aim of raising funds to support young entrepreneurs.

During the trip, Long realized he not only learned how to cycle long distances, but also gained many lessons about career and business. "You'll learn how to think big, how to try big things and manage the risks from them. You'll encounter failures, pick yourself up, and keep going," Long said.

1. Break down big goals into smaller steps.

Kurt Long (left) and Richard Branson (right) after a tennis match. Photo: Fair Warning

For Long, the goal at that time was to cycle 480km in just a few days. To achieve that, he would have to think in small steps and focus on cycling every second.

Success rarely comes overnight. To achieve career or business goals, Long suggests breaking down large goals into smaller steps. "It's important to always remember the ultimate destination, but have a daily and a second-by-day plan for how you're going to move forward," he says.

2. Focus on yourself.

There were times when Long didn't know if he could finish the race. Throughout the arduous journey, he realized the worst thing he was doing was comparing himself to others.

"When other cyclists overtake you uphill or downhill, you might feel like you're doing something wrong. But trust yourself and the right plan you've made," he said. This will help you stay realistic and reduce stress.

3. Ask for advice from others.

With only a few weeks to prepare, and armed only with his regular beach bike, Long repeatedly sought advice from experienced long-distance cyclists.

After sitting down with a cyclist, he understood the importance of many things, from setting goals to wearing padded cycling shorts. And throughout his journey, he realized that cycling taught him many lessons, much like business.

4. Focus on the present.

Whether he's recovering from a motorcycle accident or feeling disillusioned at work, the important thing is not to dwell on the past. "Get on your bike and keep going. Looking back won't get you anywhere," Long said.

5. Take care of yourself.

Working hard at something will exhaust you. It's important to give yourself time to rest and recover. "This is mandatory, not optional. If you really pay attention to resting, you'll see your performance improve significantly when driving long distances," he said.

6. Laugh

When Long was in pain from the trip, he realized that maintaining an optimistic attitude was very helpful. "No matter the reason, just smile and be funny. You'll see it works. Your body will react to positive energy, even if it's just a simple smile."

According to VNE