---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Always think, 'what's the worst that can…"
description: "\"Always think, 'what's the worst that can happen' and have some kind of strategy to deal with it\" — Richard Branson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/richard-branson-256_deals_always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-h_530689.jpg"
---

#  Always think, 'what's the worst that can happen' and have…

![“Always think, 'what's the worst that can happen' and have some kind of strategy to deal with it” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/richard-branson-256_deals_always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-h_530689.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/richard-branson-256_deals_always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-h_530689.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/richard-branson-256_deals_always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-h_530689.jpg)

> “Always think, 'what's the worst that can happen' and have some kind of strategy to deal with it”

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Considering worst‑case scenarios encourages proactive planning and reduces fear of uncertainty.

**In simple terms:** Plan for the worst to act confidently.

Key Takeaway

Identify risks, create backup plans.

Themes

risk management confidence proactivity

Mood

cautious determined

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- entrepreneurship
- personal decisions
- crisis response

Key Concepts

strategic planning psychology of fear

Questions to Reflect On

- What risks are you avoiding?
- How can you balance caution with action?

A Different Perspective

Over‑preparing can stifle spontaneity and cause analysis paralysis.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improvement/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Kind Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind-strategy-4459082/) [Self improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-improvement/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-worst/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst/) [Worst Happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst-happen/)

## Related quotes

> [If you create something that makes a difference in people's lives, you are likely to become a business success as well](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/if-you-create-something-that-makes-a-difference-in-people-s-lives-you/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Look for the best in people to build a fantastic team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/look-for-the-best-in-people-to-build-a-fantastic-team/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [What's the worst that could happen? Everyone turned me down; big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/what-s-the-worst-that-could-happen-everyone-turned-me-down-big-deal/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [The worse that can happen is that you try but fail for now, but the worst that could ever happen is if you fail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaze-olamiday/the-worse-that-can-happen-is-that-you-try-but-fail-for-now-but-the/)

[Blaze Olamiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaze-olamiday/)

> [What would be the worst that could happen to me? Would they hang me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-bell/what-would-be-the-worst-that-could-happen-to-me-would-they-hang-me/)

[Mary Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-bell/)

> [Take a risk today. Follow your heart. What's the worst that can happen? You fall on your face then you just get back up...knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layla-kayleigh/take-a-risk-today-follow-your-heart-what-s-the-worst-that-can-happen/)

[Layla Kayleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layla-kayleigh/)

> [“When the worst that can happen already has, there's not much left to be afraid of anymore,right?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-sta-maria/when-the-worst-that-can-happen-already-has-there-s-not-much-left-to/)

[Ian Sta. Maria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-sta-maria/)

> [Next time, ask: What's the worst that will happen? Then push yourself a little further than you dare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/next-time-ask-what-s-the-worst-that-will-happen-then-push-yourself-a/)

[Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/)

> [Looking for the worst to happen but still praying for the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/looking-for-the-worst-to-happen-but-still-praying-for-the-best/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Reach for the moon the worst that can happen is you will fall among the stars”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-orlando/reach-for-the-moon-the-worst-that-can-happen-is-you-will-fall-among/)

[Tony Orlando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-orlando/)

> [When we face the worst that can happen in any situation, we grow. When circumstances are at their worst, we can find our best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-kubler-ross/when-we-face-the-worst-that-can-happen-in-any-situation-we-grow-when/)

[Elisabeth Kubler-Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-kubler-ross/)

> [“You're a vampire, Richie. And I've got a gun the size of Nebraska. What's the worst that could happen?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-carey/you-re-a-vampire-richie-and-i-ve-got-a-gun-the-size-of-nebraska-what/)

[Mike Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-carey/)

> [I think the worst that can happen in filmmaking is if you're working with a storyboard. That kills all intuition, all fantasy, all creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/i-think-the-worst-that-can-happen-in-filmmaking-is-if-you-re-working/)

[Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/)

> [“Shoot for the moon, the worst that could happen is you land amongst the stars”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-brown/shoot-for-the-moon-the-worst-that-could-happen-is-you-land-amongst/)

[Les Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-brown/)

> [I assume that the worst will happen. So I'm never optimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-feldman/i-assume-that-the-worst-will-happen-so-i-m-never-optimistic/)

[Ben Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-feldman/)

## More by Richard Branson

> [Lavish praise on people and people will flourish; criticize people and they'll shrivel up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/lavish-praise-on-people-and-people-will-flourish-criticize-people-and/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [As an adventurer...I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/as-an-adventurer-i-try-to-protect-against-the-downside-i-make-sure-i/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Fantasizing about the future is one of my favorite pastimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/fantasizing-about-the-future-is-one-of-my-favorite-pastimes/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [I will work day and night to avoid failure, but if I can't, I'll pick myself up the next day. The most important thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-will-work-day-and-night-to-avoid-failure-but-if-i-can-t-i-ll-pick/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Tough times are inevitable in life and in business. But how you compose yourself during those times defines your spirit and will define your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/tough-times-are-inevitable-in-life-and-in-business-but-how-you/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [All successful people - not just entrepreneurs - have got things wrong over and over again before finding the right solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/all-successful-people-not-just-entrepreneurs-have-got-things-wrong/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [We have the enormous opportunity in our hands to make a positive difference for business, people, and the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/we-have-the-enormous-opportunity-in-our-hands-to-make-a-positive/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [I'm a great believer in life to saying yes and not saying no, and hopefully making people smile and just having fun in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-m-a-great-believer-in-life-to-saying-yes-and-not-saying-no-and/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Money is a poor indicator of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/money-is-a-poor-indicator-of-success/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Business leaders take things far too seriously, and forget that most of the time people spend in their lives is at work, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/business-leaders-take-things-far-too-seriously-and-forget-that-most/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [I love the freedom of movement that my phone gives me. That has definitely transformed my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-love-the-freedom-of-movement-that-my-phone-gives-me-that-has/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Everything in your business can be outsourced... if you're not emotionally attached to doing it all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/everything-in-your-business-can-be-outsourced-if-you-re-not/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [People have to decide on priorities if they want to get anywhere. The best lessons I learned was to just do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/people-have-to-decide-on-priorities-if-they-want-to-get-anywhere-the/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [There isn't a flight goes by when I don't stare out of the window and thank my stars for what I'm seeing and feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/there-isn-t-a-flight-goes-by-when-i-don-t-stare-out-of-the-window-and/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

[Explore all 805 Richard Branson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

## More Deals quotes

> [Right now we're concerned about budget. Right now we're concerned about the prospect of interest rate rise. We're concerned about government corruption, government handing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amity-shlaes/right-now-we-re-concerned-about-budget-right-now-we-re-concerned/)

[Amity Shlaes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amity-shlaes/)

> [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/)

[Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/)

> [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/)

[Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/)

> [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/)

[Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/)

> [When you reach that competing point, when you reach that time when the gun is about to go off, everyone's level is pretty much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/when-you-reach-that-competing-point-when-you-reach-that-time-when-the/)

[Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/)

> [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/)

[Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/)

> [Americans are very friendly and very suspicious, that is what Americans are and that is what always upsets the foreigner, who deals with them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/americans-are-very-friendly-and-very-suspicious-that-is-what/)

[Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/)

> [As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-hoya/as-a-professional-athlete-and-someone-who-has-spent-almost-his-entire/)

[Oscar De La Hoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-hoya/)

> [Okay, so I'll admit I'm curious. Big deal. We both know what that leads to. Dead cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/okay-so-i-ll-admit-i-m-curious-big-deal-we-both-know-what-that-leads/)

[Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/)

> [I don't really resent being on the red carpet as much as I do having to deal with the paparazzi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-fox/i-don-t-really-resent-being-on-the-red-carpet-as-much-as-i-do-having/)

[Megan Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-fox/)

> [I think kids growing up, if they were picked on and feeling inferior at 12, they're going to feel that way at 72. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/i-think-kids-growing-up-if-they-were-picked-on-and-feeling-inferior/)

[Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/)

> [You know, by the time you reach my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. So you learn. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-know-by-the-time-you-reach-my-age-you-ve-made-plenty-of-mistakes/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [ By profession a biologist, \[Thomas Henry Huxley\] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-huxley-covered-in-fact-the/)

[H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/)

> [I deal with the obvious. I present, reiterate, and glorify the obvious - because the obvious is what people need to be told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-deal-with-the-obvious-i-present-reiterate-and-glorify-the-obvious/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [But when you have to deal with notes, and to be able to make a full definition of what a sound is - if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-brown/but-when-you-have-to-deal-with-notes-and-to-be-able-to-make-a-full/)

[Dennis Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-brown/)

[Browse all 7,121 Deals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Always think, 'what's the worst that can happen' and have some kind of strategy to deal with it",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Richard Branson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-happen-and-have-some-kind-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Deals"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-happen-and-have-some-kind-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/richard-branson-256_deals_always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-h_530689.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/richard-branson-256_deals_always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-h_530689.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/richard-branson-256_deals_always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-h_530689.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Always think, 'what's the worst that can happen' and have some kind of strategy to deal with it” — Richard Branson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Richard Branson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Always think, 'what's the worst that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-happen-and-have-some-kind-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/always-think-what-s-the-worst-that-can-happen-and-have-some-kind-of/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
