9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When I was six years old, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I received my gifts. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My first grade teacher[br]had this brilliant idea. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 She wanted us to experience[br]receiving gifts, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but also learning the virtue[br]of complimenting each other. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So she had all of us come[br]to the front of the classroom, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and she bought all of us gifts, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and stacked them in the corner. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And she said, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Why don't we just stand here[br]and compliment each other? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you hear your name called, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 go and pick up your gift and sit down." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What a wonderful idea, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What could go wrong? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, there were 40 of us to start with, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and every time when I heard[br]someone's name called, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I would give out the heartiest cheer. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And then there were 20 people left, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and 10 people left, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and five left ... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and three left. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was one of them. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And the compliments stopped. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, at that moment, I was crying. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And the teacher was freaking out. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 She was like, "Hey, would anyone say[br]anything nice about these people?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "No one? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 OK, why don't you go[br]get your gift and sit down. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So behave next year -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 someone might say[br]something nice about you." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, as I'm describing this you, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you probably know[br]I remember this really well. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But I don't know who felt worse that day. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Was it me, or the teacher? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 She must have realized that she turned[br]a team-leading event 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 into a public [jest][br]for three six-year-olds. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And without the humor. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know, when you see people[br]get [roasted] on TV, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it was funny. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There was nothing funny about that day. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So that was one version of me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I would die to avoid[br]being in that situation again -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to get rejected in public again. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That's one version. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then fast-forward eight years -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Bill Gates came to my hometown -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Beijing, China -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to speak, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I saw his message. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I fell in love with that guy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I thought, wow, I know[br]what I want to do now. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That night I wrote a letter to my family 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 telling them by age 25, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I will build the biggest[br]company in the world, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and that company will buy Microsoft. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laugther) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I totally embraced this idea[br]of conquering the world -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 domination, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I didn't make this up, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I did write that letter. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And hear it is -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You don't have to read this through -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is also bad handwriting. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But I did highlight some key words. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You get the idea. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, that was another version of me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One who will conquer the world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, then two years later, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was presented with the opportunity[br]to come to the United States. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I jumped on it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because that was where[br]Bill Gates lived, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I thought that was the start[br]of my entrepreneur journey. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then, fast-forward another 14 years. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was 30. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Nope, I didn't build that company. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I didn't even start. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was actually a marketing manager[br]for a Fortune 500 company. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I felt I was stuck; 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was stagnant. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Why is that? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Where is that 14-year-old[br]who wrote that letter? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's not because he didn't try. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's because every time I had a new idea, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 every time I wanted to try something new, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even at work -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I wanted to make a proposal, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I wanted to speak up[br]in front of people in a group -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I felt there was this constant battle 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 between the 14-year-old[br]and the six-year-old. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One wanted to conquer the world, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 make a difference. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Another was afraid of rejection. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And every time, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that six-year-old won. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And this fear even persisted[br]after I started my own company. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I mean, I started my own[br]company when I was 30 -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 if you want to be Bill Gates, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you've got to start[br]sooner or later, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When I was an entrepreneur, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was presented with[br]an investment opportunity, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then I was turned down. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And that rejection hurt me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It hurt me so bad that I wanted[br]to quit right there. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But then I thought, "Hey, would Bill Gates[br]quit after a simple investment rejection? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Would any successful[br]entrepreneur quit like that?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 No way. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And this is where it clicked for me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 OK, I can build a better company. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I can build a better[br]team or better product, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but one thing for sure: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I could be a better leader. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I could be a better person. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I cannot let that six-year-old[br]keep dictating my life anymore. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I have to put him back to his place. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So this is where I went online[br]and looked for help. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Google was my friend. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I searched, "How do I overcome[br]the fear of rejection?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I came up with a bunch[br]of psychology articles 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about where the fear[br]and pain are coming from. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then I came up with a bunch of "Ra-ra"[br]inspirational articles 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about "Don't take it personally,[br]just overcome it." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Who doesn't know that? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But why was I still so scared? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then I found this website by luck. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's called rejectiontherapy.com. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Rejection Therapy was this game[br]invented by this Canadian entrepreneur. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 His name is Jason Comely. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And basically the idea is for 30 days[br]you go out and look for rejection. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And every day get rejected at something, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and by the end, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you desensitize yourself from the pain. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I loved that idea. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I said, "You know what? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm going to do this. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I'll feel myself[br]getting rejected 100 days. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I came up with my own rejection ideas, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I will make a video blog out of it." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And so here's what I did. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is what the blog looked like. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Day 1 --" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Borrow $100 from a Stanger." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So this is where I went[br]to where I was working. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I came downstairs and I saw this big guy[br]sitting behind a desk, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he looked like a security guard. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So I just approach him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I was just walking in -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that was the longest walk of my life -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 just hair on the back[br]of my neck standing up, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was sweating and my heart was pounding, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I got there and said, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Hey, sir, can I borrow $100 from you?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he looked up, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he's like, "No." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Why?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I just said, "No? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm sorry." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then I turned around and I just ran. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I felt so embarrassed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But because I filmed myself -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so that night I was watching[br]myself getting rejected, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I just saw how scared I was. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I looked like this kid[br]in "The Sixth Sense." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I saw dead people. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But then I saw this guy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know, he wasn't that menacing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He was a chubby, loveable guy, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and he even asked me, "Why?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In fact he invited me to explain myself. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I could've said many things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I could've explained, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I could've negotiated. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I didn't do any of that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 All I did was run. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I felt, "Wow, this is like[br]the microcosm of my life." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Every time I feel the slightest rejection, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I would run as fast as I could. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And you know what? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The next day, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 no matter what happens, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm not going to run. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'll stay engaged. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Day 2: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Request a "Burger Refill." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's when I went to burger joint, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I finished lunch, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I went to the cashier and said, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Hey, can I get a burger refill?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he was all confused, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he was like, "What's a burger refill?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I said, "Well, it's just like a drink[br]refill but with a burger." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he said, "Sorry, we don't do[br]burger refill, man." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So this is where rejection happened[br]and I could have run, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but I stayed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I said, "Well, I love your burgers, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I love your joint, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and if you guys do a burger refill, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I will love you guys more." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he said, "Well, ok, I'll tell[br]my manager about it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and maybe we'll do it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but sorry we can' do this today." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then I left. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And by the way, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I don't think they've[br]ever done burger refill. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I think they're still there. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But, the life and death feeling 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was feeling the first time[br]was no longer there, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 just because I stayed engaged -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because I didn't run. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I said, "Wow, great, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm already learning things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Great." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And then Day three: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Getting Olympic Doughnuts. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is where my life[br]was turned upside down. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I went to a Krispy Kreme. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's a doughnut shop in mainly the[br]Southeastern part of the United States. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I went in, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I said, "Can you make me doughnuts[br]that look like olympic symbols? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Basically you thread[br]five doughnuts together ... " 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I mean there's no way[br]they could say yes, right? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The doughnut maker took me so seriously. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So she put out paper, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 started jotting down[br]the colors and the rings, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and is like, "How can I make this?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And then 15 minutes later, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 she came out with a box[br]that looked like Olympic rings. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I was so touched. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I just couldn't believe it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And that video got over five[br]million views on Youtube. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The world couldn't believe that either. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And because of that, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was in newspapers, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in talkshows, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in everything. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I became famous. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 A lot of people started[br]writing emails to me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and sending, "What you're[br]doing is awesome." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But you know, fame and notoriety[br]did not do anything to me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What I really wanted to do was learn, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and to change myself, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so I turned the rest[br]of my 100 days of rejection 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 into this playground -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 into this research project. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I wanted to see what I could learn. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And then I learned a lot of things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I discovered so many secrets. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 For example, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I found if I just don't run, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 if I got rejected, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I could actually turn a no into a yes, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the magic word is, "why." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So one day I went to a stranger's house, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I had this flower in my hand, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I said -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 knock on the door and said, "Hey, can I[br]plant this flower in your backyard?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laugther) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he said, "No." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But before he could leave I said, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Hey can I know why?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he said, "Well I have this dog 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that would dig up anything[br]I put in the backyard. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I don't want to waste your flower. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you want to do this, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 go across the street and talk to Connie. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 She loves flowers." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So that's what I did. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I went across and knocked[br]on Connie's door. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And she was so happy to see me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And then half and hour later, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 there was this flower[br]in Connie's backyard. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm sure it looks better now. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But had I left after[br]the initial rejection, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I would've thought, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 well it's because the guy didn't trust me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it's because I was crazy, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because I didn't dress up well -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I didn't look good. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was none of those. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was because what I offered[br]did not fit what he wanted. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he trusted me enough[br]to offer me a referral -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 using a sales term -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I converted a referal. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then one day -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I also learned that I can[br]actually say certain things 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and maximize my chance to get a yes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So for example, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 one day I went to a Starbucks, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and asked the manager, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Hey, can I be a Starbucks greeter?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He was like, "What's a Starbucks greeter?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I said, "Do you know[br]those Wal-Mart greeters? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know those people who will say[br]hi to you before you walk in the store, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and make sure you[br]don't steal stuff, basically?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "I want to give a Wal-Mart experience[br]to Starbucks customers." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, I'm not sure[br]that's a good thing, actually -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 actually, I'm pretty sure[br]it's a bad thing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he was like, "Oh" -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 yeah, this is how he looked, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 his name is Eric -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and he was like, "I'm not sure." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is how he was hearing me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Not sure." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then I ask him, "Is that weird?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He's like, "Yeah, it's really weird, man." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But as soon as he said that his[br]whole demeanor changed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's as if he's putting[br]all the doubt on the floor. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he said, "Yeah, you can do this, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 just don't get too weird." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So for the next hour[br]I was the Starbucks greeter. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I said hi to every customer[br]that walked in, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and gave them holiday cheers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 By the way, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I don't know what[br]your career trajectory is, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 don't be a greeter. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was really boring. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But then I found I could do this[br]because I mentioned, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Is that weird?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I mentioned the doubt that he was having. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And because I mentioned, "Is that weird?"[br]that means I wasn't weird. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That means I was actually[br]thinking just like him, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 seeing this as a weird thing. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And again, again, I learned 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that if I mention some[br]doubt people might have 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 before I ask the question, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I gain their trust. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 People are more likely to say yes to me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And then I learned I could[br]fulfill my life dream ... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by asking. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I came from four generations of teachers, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and my grandma has always told me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Hey Jia, you can do anything you want, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but it'd be great if you[br]become a teacher." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But I want to be an entrepreneur, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so I didn't. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But it has always been my dream[br]to actually teach something. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So I said, "What if I just ask, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and teach a college class?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So I lived in Austin at the time, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so I went to University of Texas, Austin, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and knocked on professor's doors 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and said, "Can I teach your class?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well, I didn't get anywhere[br]the first couple times. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But because I didn't run -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I kept doing it -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and on the third try, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the professor was very impressed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He was like, "No one[br]has done this before." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I came in prepared[br]with powerpoints and my lesson. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He said, "Wow, I can use this. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Why do you come back in two months, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'll fit you into my curriculum." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And two months later[br]I was teaching a class. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is me -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you probably can't see, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 this is a bad picture. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know sometimes you get[br]rejected by lighting, you know? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But wow -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when I finished teaching that class, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I walked out crying 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I thought -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I could just fulfill my life dream[br]just by simply asking. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I thought -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I used to think I have to accomplish[br]all these things -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 how to be a great entrepreneur, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or get a PhD to teach -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but no, I can just ask, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I could teach. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And that picture -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which you can't see -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I quoted Martin Luther King, Jr. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Why? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because in my research I found[br]that people who really change the world, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who change the way we live[br]and the way we think, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 are the people who were met[br]with initial and often violent rejections. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 People like Martin Luther King, Jr., 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 like Mahatma Ghandi, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Nelson Mandela, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or even Jesus Christ. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 These people did not[br]let rejection define them. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They let their own reaction[br]after rejection define themselves. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And they embraced rejection. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And we don't have to be those people[br]to learn about rejection, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but in my case, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 rejection was my curse -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 was my boogey man. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It has bothered me my whole life[br]because I was running away from it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then I started embracing it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It turned out into the biggest[br]gift in my life. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I started teaching people how[br]to turn rejections into opportunities. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I use my blog, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I use talk, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I use the book I just published, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and even technology to help people[br]overcome their fear of rejection. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When you get rejected in life, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when you are facing the next obstacle, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or next failure, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 consider the possiblities. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Don't run. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you just embrace them, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they might become your gifts as well. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Thank you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Applause)