Branson's perspective is inspired by British philosopher Alan Watts, . A journey implies a destination or some sort of arrival — but no epic "thing" is coming in life, Watts said.
"He explains that traditional systems of education have skewed the meaning of life (towards arriving at a destination) by placing too much importance on progressing through school and college to a career," Branson wrote. "And makes his point by saying that far too many people live to retire and therefore cheat themselves of an exciting existence."
That's why Branson doesn't think retirement should be the goal. "Instead, I think happiness should be," he wrote.
"I've never thought [of] work as work and play as play; to me, it's all living and learning. The way I see it, life is all about striving and growing. I never want to have made it; I want to continue making it!"