The Most Fascinating Person in the World

Have you ever met someone by chance, say on an airplane, or in line at a Starbucks, and they end up changing your life?

I have, many times. And what I’ve learned about these experiences is that they can happen for me at any time, with just about anyone I meet. The key is whether I am open to the possibility or not.

Generally speaking, we go through life caught up in our own story — and our own needs and wants — which precludes us from letting anyone in who does not fit in a welcomed way. This shows up, for instance as fear, like “why is this person talking to me, what do they want from me?!?”. Or desire, as in “this is a potential customer/client/investor, how can I convince them to buy what I’m selling, or do what I want?” Or more often, we just walk by without ever even acknowledging or registering their existence in our consciousness.

If you think about it though, how many good things that have come about in your life have been the result of such a mindset or goal-directed plan? Versus… how much of your life is a result of serendipitous events which you leaned into?

I met my wife on a park bench in a land foreign to us both. I started my last business after (literally) bumping into a friend at a conference I did not want to attend. I’ve made my best investments not because of my detailed planning and analysis, but in spite of it. And I’ve let four unicorn startup investments slip through my fingers because of the stories in my head which did not allow for their breakout success.

So here’s a little game you can play. I try to remember to do it whenever I can because I’m never disappointed when I do. Which is to remember…

The person in front of you right now is the most fascinating person in the world. If you can’t figure out why in 10 minutes or less… that’s on you.