I was supposed to be on that flight Pan Am flight 103 it blew up over the skies
Am flight 103 it blew up over the skies
Am flight 103 it blew up over the skies of Lockerbie Scotland on December 21st
of Lockerbie Scotland on December 21st
of Lockerbie Scotland on December 21st 1988 and I had a ticket booked on that
1988 and I had a ticket booked on that
1988 and I had a ticket booked on that flight 243 passengers died that day 16
flight 243 passengers died that day 16
flight 243 passengers died that day 16 crew died and 11 innocent victims on the
crew died and 11 innocent victims on the
crew died and 11 innocent victims on the ground all died because of a silly
ground all died because of a silly
ground all died because of a silly random awful terrorist attack and I’m
random awful terrorist attack and I’m
random awful terrorist attack and I’m going to tell you today why I wasn’t on
going to tell you today why I wasn’t on
going to tell you today why I wasn’t on that plane and why I think luck in
that plane and why I think luck in
that plane and why I think luck in believing that you’re lucky is the most
believing that you’re lucky is the most
believing that you’re lucky is the most important thing that you can have in
important thing that you can have in
important thing that you can have in life so I was 25 years old living in
life so I was 25 years old living in
life so I was 25 years old living in London England having the greatest time
London England having the greatest time
London England having the greatest time I had a job at the Prudential Insurance
I had a job at the Prudential Insurance
I had a job at the Prudential Insurance Company I was young fun couldn’t have
Company I was young fun couldn’t have
Company I was young fun couldn’t have been happier but every once in a while I
been happier but every once in a while I
been happier but every once in a while I got homesick I’ll never forget
got homesick I’ll never forget
got homesick I’ll never forget Thanksgiving celebrating Thanksgiving in
Thanksgiving celebrating Thanksgiving in
Thanksgiving celebrating Thanksgiving in London with a bunch of Americans it just
London with a bunch of Americans it just
London with a bunch of Americans it just didn’t feel right having Thanksgiving in
didn’t feel right having Thanksgiving in
didn’t feel right having Thanksgiving in a foreign land just as not the same as
a foreign land just as not the same as
a foreign land just as not the same as being at home so next day work Monday
being at home so next day work Monday
being at home so next day work Monday morning I called the travel agent they
morning I called the travel agent they
morning I called the travel agent they said hey I want to go home for Christmas
said hey I want to go home for Christmas
said hey I want to go home for Christmas I want the cheapest flight possible I
I want the cheapest flight possible I
I want the cheapest flight possible I want to go from London Heathrow to Logan
want to go from London Heathrow to Logan
want to go from London Heathrow to Logan and Boston traveling said cheapest
and Boston traveling said cheapest
and Boston traveling said cheapest flight possible as you go from Heathrow
flight possible as you go from Heathrow
flight possible as you go from Heathrow to JFK on Pan Am flight 103 then you
to JFK on Pan Am flight 103 then you
to JFK on Pan Am flight 103 then you take a shuttle from New York to Boston
take a shuttle from New York to Boston
take a shuttle from New York to Boston they’ll land at 8 o’clock at night and
they’ll land at 8 o’clock at night and
they’ll land at 8 o’clock at night and Logan I said let’s book it so I booked
Logan I said let’s book it so I booked
Logan I said let’s book it so I booked the flight call my parents super excited
the flight call my parents super excited
the flight call my parents super excited that I’m coming home for Christmas mom
that I’m coming home for Christmas mom
that I’m coming home for Christmas mom dad I’ll be coming home I land on the
dad I’ll be coming home I land on the
dad I’ll be coming home I land on the 21st can you pick me up that Logan of
21st can you pick me up that Logan of
21st can you pick me up that Logan of course we can pick you up at Logan can’t
course we can pick you up at Logan can’t
course we can pick you up at Logan can’t wait to see you couldn’t wait to go home
wait to see you couldn’t wait to go home
wait to see you couldn’t wait to go home two weeks later so it’s a week before
two weeks later so it’s a week before
two weeks later so it’s a week before I’m about to fly my colleague at work I
I’m about to fly my colleague at work I
I’m about to fly my colleague at work I said hey what are you doing for
said hey what are you doing for
said hey what are you doing for Christmas I said I’m going home cuz oh
Christmas I said I’m going home cuz oh
Christmas I said I’m going home cuz oh are you flying home on the company dime
are you flying home on the company dime
are you flying home on the company dime so what are you talking about because
so what are you talking about because
so what are you talking about because you know as an expat you’re an American
you know as an expat you’re an American
you know as an expat you’re an American living in a foreign country
living in a foreign country
living in a foreign country you actually get one free round-trip
you actually get one free round-trip
you actually get one free round-trip ticket home a year and I said how come I
ticket home a year and I said how come I
ticket home a year and I said how come I don’t know about this he goes it’s in
don’t know about this he goes it’s in
don’t know about this he goes it’s in the company manual and I said do we have
the company manual and I said do we have
the company manual and I said do we have a company manual I didn’t even know we
a company manual I didn’t even know we
a company manual I didn’t even know we had a company manual so my colleague
had a company manual so my colleague
had a company manual so my colleague shows me the company manual and sure
shows me the company manual and sure
shows me the company manual and sure enough I’m looking at it and I get one
enough I’m looking at it and I get one
enough I’m looking at it and I get one free round-trip ticket home so I run
free round-trip ticket home so I run
free round-trip ticket home so I run into my boss and say hey I get a free
into my boss and say hey I get a free
into my boss and say hey I get a free round-trip ticket I just booked a
round-trip ticket I just booked a
round-trip ticket I just booked a one-way through New York it’s a pain in
one-way through New York it’s a pain in
one-way through New York it’s a pain in the neck you know can I can i you know
the neck you know can I can i you know
the neck you know can I can i you know have Prudential paid for this ticket my
have Prudential paid for this ticket my
have Prudential paid for this ticket my boss said fine I call the exact travel
boss said fine I call the exact travel
boss said fine I call the exact travel agent same person said hey do you mind
agent same person said hey do you mind
agent same person said hey do you mind if we switch flights says well that was
if we switch flights says well that was
if we switch flights says well that was a non-refundable ticket but you get a
a non-refundable ticket but you get a
a non-refundable ticket but you get a it’s a free round-trip ticket what do
it’s a free round-trip ticket what do
it’s a free round-trip ticket what do you care you can go British Airways
you care you can go British Airways
you care you can go British Airways London Heathrow directly to to Boston I
London Heathrow directly to to Boston I
London Heathrow directly to to Boston I said well what time does it get in funny
said well what time does it get in funny
said well what time does it get in funny enough it got in the same exact time as
enough it got in the same exact time as
enough it got in the same exact time as when I had been coming in from the
when I had been coming in from the
when I had been coming in from the shuttle from New York City so December
shuttle from New York City so December
shuttle from New York City so December 21st comes around all excited get the
21st comes around all excited get the
21st comes around all excited get the Heathrow the security lines were out of
Heathrow the security lines were out of
Heathrow the security lines were out of control I was sitting up next with an
control I was sitting up next with an
control I was sitting up next with an extra strange I said what’s going on
extra strange I said what’s going on
extra strange I said what’s going on today
today
today I mean don’t security line wasn’t moving
I mean don’t security line wasn’t moving
I mean don’t security line wasn’t moving I was worried as actually to miss my
I was worried as actually to miss my
I was worried as actually to miss my flight
flight
flight so anyway barely make it to the flight
so anyway barely make it to the flight
so anyway barely make it to the flight get on the British Air flight flied
get on the British Air flight flied
get on the British Air flight flied directly to to Logan in Boston get
directly to to Logan in Boston get
directly to to Logan in Boston get through customs go get my bags super
through customs go get my bags super
through customs go get my bags super excited to see my parents hadn’t seen
excited to see my parents hadn’t seen
excited to see my parents hadn’t seen him in a year I come out see all these
him in a year I come out see all these
him in a year I come out see all these people holding signs looking for my
people holding signs looking for my
people holding signs looking for my parents didn’t know where to be found
parents didn’t know where to be found
parents didn’t know where to be found like this is weird
like this is weird
like this is weird actually I’m kind of pissed I’m like
actually I’m kind of pissed I’m like
actually I’m kind of pissed I’m like I’ve been home for a year where the hell
I’ve been home for a year where the hell
I’ve been home for a year where the hell are they so I go to a payphone yes I
are they so I go to a payphone yes I
are they so I go to a payphone yes I went to a payphone this there was no
went to a payphone this there was no
went to a payphone this there was no cell phones no texts no emails back in
cell phones no texts no emails back in
cell phones no texts no emails back in 1988 okay so I call my mom answers the
1988 okay so I call my mom answers the
1988 okay so I call my mom answers the phone said mom where are you
phone said mom where are you
phone said mom where are you it’s Paul and she gasped you and she
it’s Paul and she gasped you and she
it’s Paul and she gasped you and she couldn’t speak and in my mind I’m
couldn’t speak and in my mind I’m
couldn’t speak and in my mind I’m thinking holy cow my dad has been sick
thinking holy cow my dad has been sick
thinking holy cow my dad has been sick maybe he just you know he had a
maybe he just you know he had a
maybe he just you know he had a heart attack a couple years early maybe
heart attack a couple years early maybe
heart attack a couple years early maybe that’s why they’re not here they’re not
that’s why they’re not here they’re not
that’s why they’re not here they’re not here because you know my dad’s sick I’m
here because you know my dad’s sick I’m
here because you know my dad’s sick I’m like mom I’m here at Logan what where
like mom I’m here at Logan what where
like mom I’m here at Logan what where are you she literally was like crying
are you she literally was like crying
are you she literally was like crying so I said to her I go you know
so I said to her I go you know
so I said to her I go you know mom mom and she hands the phone to my
mom mom and she hands the phone to my
mom mom and she hands the phone to my older brother my brother gets on a phone
older brother my brother gets on a phone
older brother my brother gets on a phone and goes where the f4u and I go well
and goes where the f4u and I go well
and goes where the f4u and I go well we’re the f4u I’m at Logan why is there
we’re the f4u I’m at Logan why is there
we’re the f4u I’m at Logan why is there no one here to pick me up and he goes
no one here to pick me up and he goes
no one here to pick me up and he goes your flight the flight you took from
your flight the flight you took from
your flight the flight you took from Heathrow it blew up I’m like what are
Heathrow it blew up I’m like what are
Heathrow it blew up I’m like what are you talking about a blew up he goes were
you talking about a blew up he goes were
you talking about a blew up he goes were you on the Pan Am flight I said no I
you on the Pan Am flight I said no I
you on the Pan Am flight I said no I switched it last week because you didn’t
switched it last week because you didn’t
switched it last week because you didn’t tell us I go well what do you mean I and
tell us I go well what do you mean I and
tell us I go well what do you mean I and I was I was speechless
I was I was speechless
I was I was speechless the plane blew up as I was leaving
the plane blew up as I was leaving
the plane blew up as I was leaving London I didn’t know it blown up I get
London I didn’t know it blown up I get
London I didn’t know it blown up I get to Logan my parents were six hours
to Logan my parents were six hours
to Logan my parents were six hours Colin Pan American Airways trying to
Colin Pan American Airways trying to
Colin Pan American Airways trying to figure out what was going on just as
figure out what was going on just as
figure out what was going on just as soon as I was dead well I got lucky that
soon as I was dead well I got lucky that
soon as I was dead well I got lucky that day I wasn’t on that plane and I’m still
day I wasn’t on that plane and I’m still
day I wasn’t on that plane and I’m still haunted by the 270 people who did die
haunted by the 270 people who did die
haunted by the 270 people who did die because of this random act of violence
because of this random act of violence
because of this random act of violence and it’s hard to really fathom all this
and it’s hard to really fathom all this
and it’s hard to really fathom all this unless you know you search for an
unless you know you search for an
unless you know you search for an explanation and the only explanation I
explanation and the only explanation I
explanation and the only explanation I could find was that I do believe I’m the
could find was that I do believe I’m the
could find was that I do believe I’m the luckiest person alive and let me tell
luckiest person alive and let me tell
luckiest person alive and let me tell you how I came about believing I’m lucky
you how I came about believing I’m lucky
you how I came about believing I’m lucky it all started with this guy this is my
it all started with this guy this is my
it all started with this guy this is my dad my hero email Salem the most
dad my hero email Salem the most
dad my hero email Salem the most positive upbeat guy you’d ever meet in
positive upbeat guy you’d ever meet in
positive upbeat guy you’d ever meet in your life if I would walk outside and
your life if I would walk outside and
your life if I would walk outside and he’d say and I’d say ah dad it’s cloudy
he’d say and I’d say ah dad it’s cloudy
he’d say and I’d say ah dad it’s cloudy it hit me in the back of the head and
it hit me in the back of the head and
it hit me in the back of the head and say no today’s a great day I grew up
say no today’s a great day I grew up
say no today’s a great day I grew up with a dad that everything was sunny he
with a dad that everything was sunny he
with a dad that everything was sunny he told me from an early age I was born
told me from an early age I was born
told me from an early age I was born under a lucky star he used to read these
under a lucky star he used to read these
under a lucky star he used to read these books by norman vincent peale called the
books by norman vincent peale called the
books by norman vincent peale called the power of positive thinking and he
power of positive thinking and he
power of positive thinking and he if you put your mind to it you can
if you put your mind to it you can
if you put your mind to it you can achieve anything in I mean it was at
achieve anything in I mean it was at
achieve anything in I mean it was at dinner at breakfast at lunch he always
dinner at breakfast at lunch he always
dinner at breakfast at lunch he always kept on telling me how lucky I was so
kept on telling me how lucky I was so
kept on telling me how lucky I was so eventually you start believing it but
eventually you start believing it but
eventually you start believing it but you know when you’re a teenager some of
you know when you’re a teenager some of
you know when you’re a teenager some of that talk about luck usually goes in one
that talk about luck usually goes in one
that talk about luck usually goes in one ear and help the other so I’ll tell you
ear and help the other so I’ll tell you
ear and help the other so I’ll tell you a little story about you know we we grew
a little story about you know we we grew
a little story about you know we we grew up on a lake
up on a lake
up on a lake and we had a boat that was my form of
and we had a boat that was my form of
and we had a boat that was my form of entertainment I wasn’t old enough to
entertainment I wasn’t old enough to
entertainment I wasn’t old enough to drive but I could take the boat out so I
drive but I could take the boat out so I
drive but I could take the boat out so I told my mom I’m dad I’m going out for a
told my mom I’m dad I’m going out for a
told my mom I’m dad I’m going out for a little boat ride and I go pick up my
little boat ride and I go pick up my
little boat ride and I go pick up my buddy we stopped at a dock we go buy
buddy we stopped at a dock we go buy
buddy we stopped at a dock we go buy some beer now we had fake IDs back then
some beer now we had fake IDs back then
some beer now we had fake IDs back then and drinking age is 18 wasn’t so bad and
and drinking age is 18 wasn’t so bad and
and drinking age is 18 wasn’t so bad and we met a couple girls and we had a great
we met a couple girls and we had a great
we met a couple girls and we had a great party that night we partied in the boat
party that night we partied in the boat
party that night we partied in the boat we had a ball kind of pull in maybe a
we had a ball kind of pull in maybe a
we had a ball kind of pull in maybe a little too late to my dog sneaked back
little too late to my dog sneaked back
little too late to my dog sneaked back in my house and didn’t get caught things
in my house and didn’t get caught things
in my house and didn’t get caught things were pretty good so the next morning I
were pretty good so the next morning I
were pretty good so the next morning I wake up and I was put on my running
wake up and I was put on my running
wake up and I was put on my running clothes because I had I was training for
clothes because I had I was training for
clothes because I had I was training for this ice hockey tour my was a pretty
this ice hockey tour my was a pretty
this ice hockey tour my was a pretty good hockey player in my day and I had
good hockey player in my day and I had
good hockey player in my day and I had to go get in shape for this summer
to go get in shape for this summer
to go get in shape for this summer league ice hockey tournament I was
league ice hockey tournament I was
league ice hockey tournament I was playing in so I put on my running shoes
playing in so I put on my running shoes
playing in so I put on my running shoes and my shorts went for a jog I didn’t
and my shorts went for a jog I didn’t
and my shorts went for a jog I didn’t even make it a quarter mile I started
even make it a quarter mile I started
even make it a quarter mile I started throwing up I come back I got my head
throwing up I come back I got my head
throwing up I come back I got my head down I walked out of the dock I go in
down I walked out of the dock I go in
down I walked out of the dock I go in the lake I’m washing myself off and I
the lake I’m washing myself off and I
the lake I’m washing myself off and I look inside the boat a bunch of empty
look inside the boat a bunch of empty
look inside the boat a bunch of empty beer bottles a bag of pot some women’s
beer bottles a bag of pot some women’s
beer bottles a bag of pot some women’s clothing and a pink comb so I get the
clothing and a pink comb so I get the
clothing and a pink comb so I get the beer bottles I throw them in the trash
beer bottles I throw them in the trash
beer bottles I throw them in the trash they take the clothing I hide it in the
they take the clothing I hide it in the
they take the clothing I hide it in the boat I take the bag of pot and I throw
boat I take the bag of pot and I throw
boat I take the bag of pot and I throw it in the lake and I have this pink comb
it in the lake and I have this pink comb
it in the lake and I have this pink comb in my hand and all of a sudden my mum
in my hand and all of a sudden my mum
in my hand and all of a sudden my mum starts walking down from the house
starts walking down from the house
starts walking down from the house towards the dock they take the pink comb
towards the dock they take the pink comb
towards the dock they take the pink comb I put it in my back pocket right right
I put it in my back pocket right right
I put it in my back pocket right right where my running shorts were and I just
where my running shorts were and I just
where my running shorts were and I just like you know hey mom you know I’m not
like you know hey mom you know I’m not
like you know hey mom you know I’m not feeling so well she goes yeah I thought
feeling so well she goes yeah I thought
feeling so well she goes yeah I thought you going out for a jog yeah I got to
you going out for a jog yeah I got to
you going out for a jog yeah I got to the end of the street I threw up
the end of the street I threw up
the end of the street I threw up and she puts her hand on my forehead oh
and she puts her hand on my forehead oh
and she puts her hand on my forehead oh you must be sick are you okay only a
you must be sick are you okay only a
you must be sick are you okay only a mother can be so nice and and she goes
mother can be so nice and and she goes
mother can be so nice and and she goes once you go up and take a shower and and
once you go up and take a shower and and
once you go up and take a shower and and you know I’ll make you some tea and
you know I’ll make you some tea and
you know I’ll make you some tea and toast
toast
toast so as I’m taking off my running clothes
so as I’m taking off my running clothes
so as I’m taking off my running clothes and I’m gonna hop in the shower
and I’m gonna hop in the shower
and I’m gonna hop in the shower this pink comb falls on the bathroom
this pink comb falls on the bathroom
this pink comb falls on the bathroom floor I take the pink comb put it up on
floor I take the pink comb put it up on
floor I take the pink comb put it up on the van I take a shower and for whatever
the van I take a shower and for whatever
the van I take a shower and for whatever reason as I’m combing my hair that day I
reason as I’m combing my hair that day I
reason as I’m combing my hair that day I start combing it with the pink comb I
start combing it with the pink comb I
start combing it with the pink comb I look in the mirror and I say man I got a
look in the mirror and I say man I got a
look in the mirror and I say man I got a changed my life this is really not good
changed my life this is really not good
changed my life this is really not good you know I’m supposed to be this good
you know I’m supposed to be this good
you know I’m supposed to be this good athlete I should be training I can’t
athlete I should be training I can’t
athlete I should be training I can’t even make it to the end of the street
even make it to the end of the street
even make it to the end of the street and I’m really letting my parents down
and I’m really letting my parents down
and I’m really letting my parents down next day I go for a jog take a shower I
next day I go for a jog take a shower I
next day I go for a jog take a shower I actually made it a few miles this time
actually made it a few miles this time
actually made it a few miles this time and there’s that pink comb I comb my
and there’s that pink comb I comb my
and there’s that pink comb I comb my hair again with it and I said you know
hair again with it and I said you know
hair again with it and I said you know what my dad’s been telling me how lucky
what my dad’s been telling me how lucky
what my dad’s been telling me how lucky I better I better capitalize on my luck
I better I better capitalize on my luck
I better I better capitalize on my luck so that was when I was 16 years old and
so that was when I was 16 years old and
so that was when I was 16 years old and I had my birthday last week and you know
I had my birthday last week and you know
I had my birthday last week and you know sure enough I still have that pink comb
sure enough I still have that pink comb
sure enough I still have that pink comb 38 years later for the you that can’t
38 years later for the you that can’t
38 years later for the you that can’t see it for you that can’t see it I comb
see it for you that can’t see it I comb
see it for you that can’t see it I comb my hair with this pink comb every single
my hair with this pink comb every single
my hair with this pink comb every single day and every day I tell myself I’m the
day and every day I tell myself I’m the
day and every day I tell myself I’m the luckiest person in the world I know I’m
luckiest person in the world I know I’m
luckiest person in the world I know I’m making my dad proud by doing that but
making my dad proud by doing that but
making my dad proud by doing that but this is my little cue to just say that I
this is my little cue to just say that I
this is my little cue to just say that I can achieve just about anything in life
can achieve just about anything in life
can achieve just about anything in life so it’s been 38 years the good news is I
so it’s been 38 years the good news is I
so it’s been 38 years the good news is I still have hair so that’s always good
still have hair so that’s always good
still have hair so that’s always good and you know I have achieved some some
and you know I have achieved some some
and you know I have achieved some some success in my life and and I think about
success in my life and and I think about
success in my life and and I think about why have I achieved this success you
why have I achieved this success you
why have I achieved this success you know I did go to Brown University I
know I did go to Brown University I
know I did go to Brown University I graduate in 1985
graduate in 1985
graduate in 1985 I went to four years working at
I went to four years working at
I went to four years working at Prudential
Prudential
Prudential couple years in London one in New York
couple years in London one in New York
couple years in London one in New York one in San Francisco and then I went to
one in San Francisco and then I went to
one in San Francisco and then I went to Harvard Business School and in 1991 I
Harvard Business School and in 1991 I
Harvard Business School and in 1991 I graduated from Harvard Business School
graduated from Harvard Business School
graduated from Harvard Business School and I joined up with a couple fellow
and I joined up with a couple fellow
and I joined up with a couple fellow Brown and Harvard Business School grads
Brown and Harvard Business School grads
Brown and Harvard Business School grads and we actually built up a company
and we actually built up a company
and we actually built up a company called Providence Equity Partners we
called Providence Equity Partners we
called Providence Equity Partners we started with 171 million dollars and
started with 171 million dollars and
started with 171 million dollars and today we manage about 52 billion
today we manage about 52 billion
today we manage about 52 billion so we’ve had tremendous success it’s
so we’ve had tremendous success it’s
so we’ve had tremendous success it’s probably the most successful investment
probably the most successful investment
probably the most successful investment firm in Rhode Island that no one knows
firm in Rhode Island that no one knows
firm in Rhode Island that no one knows about and we like it that way so we’ve
about and we like it that way so we’ve
about and we like it that way so we’ve had this tremendous success and and you
had this tremendous success and and you
had this tremendous success and and you know when I sit down with our young
know when I sit down with our young
know when I sit down with our young professionals and I talked to high
professionals and I talked to high
professionals and I talked to high school kids now I tell them that you
school kids now I tell them that you
school kids now I tell them that you know success is all about believing that
know success is all about believing that
know success is all about believing that you can be successful that you can be
you can be successful that you can be
you can be successful that you can be lucky so let me just tell you a little
lucky so let me just tell you a little
lucky so let me just tell you a little story when I was graduating from Brown
story when I was graduating from Brown
story when I was graduating from Brown University I was a senior who Browns a
University I was a senior who Browns a
University I was a senior who Browns a pretty good school right you figured not
pretty good school right you figured not
pretty good school right you figured not so hard to get a job well I sent out a
so hard to get a job well I sent out a
so hard to get a job well I sent out a thousand resumes I think I would get a
thousand resumes I think I would get a
thousand resumes I think I would get a medal just for sending out the resumes
medal just for sending out the resumes
medal just for sending out the resumes and guess how many resumes like how many
and guess how many resumes like how many
and guess how many resumes like how many rejection letters I got back I got a
rejection letters I got back I got a
rejection letters I got back I got a thousand rejection letters I actually
thousand rejection letters I actually
thousand rejection letters I actually filled up our whole wall in our
filled up our whole wall in our
filled up our whole wall in our apartment at Brown with my roommates
apartment at Brown with my roommates
apartment at Brown with my roommates just all the rejection letters we should
just all the rejection letters we should
just all the rejection letters we should have rejection letter parties and one
have rejection letter parties and one
have rejection letter parties and one time I was in New York and I had my
time I was in New York and I had my
time I was in New York and I had my backpack with me and I’m walking down
backpack with me and I’m walking down
backpack with me and I’m walking down Park Avenue York and I see one on one
Park Avenue York and I see one on one
Park Avenue York and I see one on one Park Ave and I was like you know what I
Park Ave and I was like you know what I
Park Ave and I was like you know what I got a rejection letter from their dress
got a rejection letter from their dress
got a rejection letter from their dress 101 Park Ave was consulting firm I
101 Park Ave was consulting firm I
101 Park Ave was consulting firm I happened to have it with me in my
happened to have it with me in my
happened to have it with me in my backpack so I took out the rejection
backpack so I took out the rejection
backpack so I took out the rejection letter and I said Wow 101 Park Ave so
letter and I said Wow 101 Park Ave so
letter and I said Wow 101 Park Ave so what did I do
what did I do
what did I do I walked right in that building was the
I walked right in that building was the
I walked right in that building was the 27th floor and I asked for the woman who
27th floor and I asked for the woman who
27th floor and I asked for the woman who rejected me
rejected me
rejected me her name was Sheila Smith and I went up
her name was Sheila Smith and I went up
her name was Sheila Smith and I went up to reception I said Sheila Smith please
to reception I said Sheila Smith please
to reception I said Sheila Smith please she goes do you have an appointment I go
she goes do you have an appointment I go
she goes do you have an appointment I go no I don’t have an appointment but I
no I don’t have an appointment but I
no I don’t have an appointment but I have this letter here and I just like to
have this letter here and I just like to
have this letter here and I just like to see it for five minutes
see it for five minutes
see it for five minutes receptionist calls Miss Smith and she’s
receptionist calls Miss Smith and she’s
receptionist calls Miss Smith and she’s kind of whispering in the phone and then
kind of whispering in the phone and then
kind of whispering in the phone and then she goes I’m sorry mrs. Smith is busy
she goes I’m sorry mrs. Smith is busy
she goes I’m sorry mrs. Smith is busy she can’t see you and I said hey I just
she can’t see you and I said hey I just
she can’t see you and I said hey I just came down from Providence Rhode Island
came down from Providence Rhode Island
came down from Providence Rhode Island took a three hour train ride can’t you
took a three hour train ride can’t you
took a three hour train ride can’t you spare five minutes just to see me
spare five minutes just to see me
spare five minutes just to see me and of course mrs. Smith said no so I
and of course mrs. Smith said no so I
and of course mrs. Smith said no so I said to the receptionist I said you know
said to the receptionist I said you know
said to the receptionist I said you know what I’m not leaving until she comes out
what I’m not leaving until she comes out
what I’m not leaving until she comes out and of course I had a train to catch but
and of course I had a train to catch but
and of course I had a train to catch but it was two hours away so I had nothing
it was two hours away so I had nothing
it was two hours away so I had nothing to lose I’m thinking all this wait here
to lose I’m thinking all this wait here
to lose I’m thinking all this wait here matter of fact it was a lot nicer
matter of fact it was a lot nicer
matter of fact it was a lot nicer waiting there and then waiting in in
waiting there and then waiting in in
waiting there and then waiting in in Grand Central Station so so I ended up
Grand Central Station so so I ended up
Grand Central Station so so I ended up just sitting there and finally I think
just sitting there and finally I think
just sitting there and finally I think got a guilt mrs. Smith came out and she
got a guilt mrs. Smith came out and she
got a guilt mrs. Smith came out and she was carrying this big computer printout
was carrying this big computer printout
was carrying this big computer printout and she goes what’s your name said Paul
and she goes what’s your name said Paul
and she goes what’s your name said Paul Salem she starts Salem Paul we rejected
Salem she starts Salem Paul we rejected
Salem she starts Salem Paul we rejected you I go no kidding I got your letter
you I go no kidding I got your letter
you I go no kidding I got your letter right here I got your letter right here
right here I got your letter right here
right here I got your letter right here and is that printout is that stack of
and is that printout is that stack of
and is that printout is that stack of papers is that all rejection letters she
papers is that all rejection letters she
papers is that all rejection letters she says yes it is I go do you think there’s
says yes it is I go do you think there’s
says yes it is I go do you think there’s any chance that you might have made a
any chance that you might have made a
any chance that you might have made a mistake and she says well um we got a
mistake and she says well um we got a
mistake and she says well um we got a lot of candidates and I’m sorry I can’t
lot of candidates and I’m sorry I can’t
lot of candidates and I’m sorry I can’t help you I said well at least you know
help you I said well at least you know
help you I said well at least you know mrs. Smith thank you for coming out
mrs. Smith thank you for coming out
mrs. Smith thank you for coming out that’s all I asked I just wanted to see
that’s all I asked I just wanted to see
that’s all I asked I just wanted to see you for five minutes thank you for your
you for five minutes thank you for your
you for five minutes thank you for your time and I leave they caught my train
time and I leave they caught my train
time and I leave they caught my train what did I have to lose nothing I get
what did I have to lose nothing I get
what did I have to lose nothing I get back to brown I told my roommates that
back to brown I told my roommates that
back to brown I told my roommates that story
story
story 7:30 in the morning the next day the
7:30 in the morning the next day the
7:30 in the morning the next day the next day I’m sound asleep I’m in college
next day I’m sound asleep I’m in college
next day I’m sound asleep I’m in college don’t forget no one gets up at 7:30 in
don’t forget no one gets up at 7:30 in
don’t forget no one gets up at 7:30 in the morning phone rings I answer the
the morning phone rings I answer the
the morning phone rings I answer the phone I’m sound asleep
phone I’m sound asleep
phone I’m sound asleep as Paul Salem there please yes this is
as Paul Salem there please yes this is
as Paul Salem there please yes this is fall this is Sheila Smith someone
fall this is Sheila Smith someone
fall this is Sheila Smith someone canceled you’d like to have an interview
canceled you’d like to have an interview
canceled you’d like to have an interview today at 1:00 p.m. in New York like yeah
today at 1:00 p.m. in New York like yeah
today at 1:00 p.m. in New York like yeah hop back on the train I go to New York I
hop back on the train I go to New York I
hop back on the train I go to New York I have my 1:00 p.m. interview guess what
have my 1:00 p.m. interview guess what
have my 1:00 p.m. interview guess what happened I did not get the job I got
happened I did not get the job I got
happened I did not get the job I got rejected I got rejected so why did I
rejected I got rejected so why did I
rejected I got rejected so why did I just waste your time telling you that
just waste your time telling you that
just waste your time telling you that story well I’ll tell you why so next
story well I’ll tell you why so next
story well I’ll tell you why so next week I’m interviewing for the Prudential
week I’m interviewing for the Prudential
week I’m interviewing for the Prudential Insurance Company of America and on my
Insurance Company of America and on my
Insurance Company of America and on my resume it said I’m lucky and ambitious
resume it said I’m lucky and ambitious
resume it said I’m lucky and ambitious so my dad’s brainwashing really did work
so my dad’s brainwashing really did work
so my dad’s brainwashing really did work out and like the guy that was
out and like the guy that was
out and like the guy that was interviewing me was a pretty senior guy
interviewing me was a pretty senior guy
interviewing me was a pretty senior guy and he goes I’ve never seen someone on
and he goes I’ve never seen someone on
and he goes I’ve never seen someone on their resume say lucky and ambitious
their resume say lucky and ambitious
their resume say lucky and ambitious tell me about that so I told him about
tell me about that so I told him about
tell me about that so I told him about my dad and how you know he was this you
my dad and how you know he was this you
my dad and how you know he was this you know crazy guy that loved to tell me how
know crazy guy that loved to tell me how
know crazy guy that loved to tell me how lucky I was and he loved that story and
lucky I was and he loved that story and
lucky I was and he loved that story and then he says tell me about being
then he says tell me about being
then he says tell me about being ambitious so I told him the story I just
ambitious so I told him the story I just
ambitious so I told him the story I just told you about 101 Park Ave and how I
told you about 101 Park Ave and how I
told you about 101 Park Ave and how I demanded an interview and the guy hired
demanded an interview and the guy hired
demanded an interview and the guy hired me on the spot and that’s how I got my
me on the spot and that’s how I got my
me on the spot and that’s how I got my job at Prudential and just to tie it all
job at Prudential and just to tie it all
job at Prudential and just to tie it all together
together
together that same guy that hired me also wrote
that same guy that hired me also wrote
that same guy that hired me also wrote my recommendation to Harvard Business
my recommendation to Harvard Business
my recommendation to Harvard Business School so I don’t know if I ever would
School so I don’t know if I ever would
School so I don’t know if I ever would have gotten in without him at Harvard
have gotten in without him at Harvard
have gotten in without him at Harvard Business School and to add one more part
Business School and to add one more part
Business School and to add one more part to the happy-ending Prudential Insurance
to the happy-ending Prudential Insurance
to the happy-ending Prudential Insurance was the first investor in Providence
was the first investor in Providence
was the first investor in Providence Equity Partners so when I think about
Equity Partners so when I think about
Equity Partners so when I think about all the amazing luck that I’ve had over
all the amazing luck that I’ve had over
all the amazing luck that I’ve had over my life the fact that I was never afraid
my life the fact that I was never afraid
my life the fact that I was never afraid to fail because I had a dad that told me
to fail because I had a dad that told me
to fail because I had a dad that told me I’m the luckiest human being in the
I’m the luckiest human being in the
I’m the luckiest human being in the world that I was born under a lucky star
world that I was born under a lucky star
world that I was born under a lucky star when you know you’re going through life
when you know you’re going through life
when you know you’re going through life lucky you don’t care if you fail because
lucky you don’t care if you fail because
lucky you don’t care if you fail because what can go wrong nothing someone says
what can go wrong nothing someone says
what can go wrong nothing someone says no who cares and what I want to tell you
no who cares and what I want to tell you
no who cares and what I want to tell you about today is I want every one how many
about today is I want every one how many
about today is I want every one how many people this audience actually think
people this audience actually think
people this audience actually think they’re lucky raise your hand if you
they’re lucky raise your hand if you
they’re lucky raise your hand if you think you’re lucky okay that’s good
think you’re lucky okay that’s good
think you’re lucky okay that’s good there should be a
there should be a
there should be a hundred percent people thinking you’re
hundred percent people thinking you’re
hundred percent people thinking you’re lucky because it’s a great way to go
lucky because it’s a great way to go
lucky because it’s a great way to go through life think about it if you
through life think about it if you
through life think about it if you believe you’re lucky you will be lucky
believe you’re lucky you will be lucky
believe you’re lucky you will be lucky luck is believing you’re lucky and when
luck is believing you’re lucky and when
luck is believing you’re lucky and when opportunity falls in your lap you don’t
opportunity falls in your lap you don’t
opportunity falls in your lap you don’t let it hit the ground
let it hit the ground
let it hit the ground you make sure you capitalize on that
you make sure you capitalize on that
you make sure you capitalize on that luck and when you think about it what I
luck and when you think about it what I
luck and when you think about it what I want you to remember from my talk today
want you to remember from my talk today
want you to remember from my talk today is that you go find your pink comb it
is that you go find your pink comb it
is that you go find your pink comb it could be brushing your teeth every day
could be brushing your teeth every day
could be brushing your teeth every day it could be putting your socks on
it could be putting your socks on
it could be putting your socks on combing your hair blow-drying your hair
combing your hair blow-drying your hair
combing your hair blow-drying your hair whatever you do you do something every
whatever you do you do something every
whatever you do you do something every single day and every day you do that
single day and every day you do that
single day and every day you do that monotonous task just remind yourself how
monotonous task just remind yourself how
monotonous task just remind yourself how lucky because if you go through life
lucky because if you go through life
lucky because if you go through life good things can happen I’m living proof
good things can happen I’m living proof
good things can happen I’m living proof of that thank you
of that thank you
of that thank you [Applause]
”
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