I finally meet one of the World’s Most Powerful Women and I blow it. And get mad at her!
I am currently in China and living in the city of Beijing. I am having an awesome time and meeting some fascinating people.
And in less than three weeks I have interviewed over 10 people for my book Secrets of The World’s Most Confident People. That makes 60 interviews to date <big grin> its been real fun!
So I was really excited to be invited to a dinner at The European Chamber of Commerce as the speaker was Jing Ulrich, who is #95 on the list of Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women.
You see, just a few weeks ago I set myself my next crazy goal of interviewing the World’s Most Powerful women…
I had no idea how to make this happen but I know that when I set crazy goals that excite me enough, they seem to have a way of coming to pass…
Anyway, I arrive at the dinner and everyone is wearing business suits, everyone is handing out business cards and everyone is talking about their high-powered company.
Me? At this point I got a little nervous…
After all, I was wearing jeans. I don’t use a business card. And my high powered company consists of just me, my Virtual Assistant and My Marketing Guy!
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What was interesting though, was that at the dinner, everyone at my table was fascinated by me and my job and my book.
And then I think my ego got a little carried away!
Someone asked do people ever say no when you ask to interview them?
I reflected and said no!
Well, its true. Everyone I have asked to interview has said yes, including some extremely well known people..
.
Uh huh… I guess you can see where this is going….
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After Jing Ulrich’s speech, I strolled up to her table.
In my head, I could already hear her saying, You’re writing a book about the The World’s Most Confident People. I’d simply LOVE to be in it, Rich….
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Here’s how the actual conversation went:
Hello Jing, did you get the email I sent you?
No.
Oh, well I’m writing a book and I’d like to interview you.
I’m too busy right now.
Its about confidence.
That’s nice.
I’d like to find out about your journey into confidence.
<Awkward silence…>
I’m interviewing the The World’s Most Confident People. <Can you hear my note of desperation?!!>
Why don’t you use something from my speech… <Her speech was about the Chinese Economy>
<She turns away…>
Hmmm….
.
Conversation clearly over.
I turn around and walk slowly away.
My tail between my legs.
The truth is, I was embarrassed, mad and inside I was saying Who do you think you are anyway, you’re only #95 out of 100 – on the List of the The World’s Most Powerful Women!.
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So. What did I learn from this embarrassing experience?
1. Set CRAZY goals. The crazier the better. If they make you feel excited enough they have a way of coming true.
2. Don’t get attached to achieving them (immediately!).
3. If too many people say yes to you then you’re not asking challenging enough questions!
4. Watch out for your ego. The clue for me is when I think I’m cool it usually means I’m not!
5. You only really learn when you f**k-up!.
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“Here’s what I want you to do next.” – Email me with (a) One of your CRAZY goals, or (b) A time that you f**ked-up!
*****
Rich Litvin
that confidence guy.
Author, Speaker, Confidence Coach, Entrepreneur
rich@thatconfidenceguy.com
I loved your story and the five lessons learned are so true. Best of luck with your book.
you’re a rock star. i am so proud of all that you’re doing. this was a funny read. 95 out of 100, not too impressive…but in the context of all the powerful women in the WORLD…95 out of infinity, that’s pretty cool for her.
Hi doll! Great connecting and scheming with u!
My dream: To be on local talkshow “A View From The Bay” sharing about green organizing and event production, and doing my rockstar organizer thing…perhaps with my book on the subject. And then doing the same thing on OPRAH.
Then having the bountiful abundance to travel for as long as I want to Africa and India to do service ( organizing, sound healing, bodywork, cradling and snuggling, cooking and feeding, listening, growing spirulina farms,for example) of all kinds with sick, dying (hiv), abandoned, starving, neglected human beings, especially children and mama’s.
I really can’t think of a fuck up right now. I guess I take it all as a learning experience and don’t dwell on it, to the point where I can’t even remember one. Whatever they are…they have to do with getting off hearing myself talk and not being humble.
Wow…that was fun getting clear on that! Thanks for asking the question.
Blessings and love, Bekka
@Julia: thanks for the wishes. Keep an eye on the site to watch the progress.
This week I am filming two interviews for the first time!
@Monique: I prefer to think that there are 94 more amazing women
that I’ll interview before I go back to Jing! Lol!
@Bekka: I LOVE your big dreams. I have no doubt that you
are one powerful woman and you can create your world just
the way you want.
Hmmm… Humility. I work on that one too
Hi Rich,
I was doing some research on J. Ulrich and read about your Am-Cham incident. Thanks for sharing; the world needs more people like you. I have some good stories like yours too, run-ins with famous ppl, etc. Perhaps we can share tales; shoot me an email whenevers.
Best, White Bruin (from SF)
Rich, just a thought–if she’s a Chinese lady then you’ll likely need an introduction before she’ll feel comfortable speaking to you directly like that. Maybe next time you can find someone who knows her to give you a proper introduction.
On another note, I can relate to what you felt. “Pride comes before the fall” is something I’m reminded of over and over again. Over time, I’ve learned to relish falling flat on my face–there is so much to learn from it. I think people who are confident naturally need to bite the dust from time to time in order to stay on an even keel.
M crazy goal is that in the next 10 years I’ll make it to the list of World’s Most Powerful Women and then when you’ll come to interview me I’ll say ‘No’…..well I might say ‘Yes’ but you’ll have to wait till then to find out.