Imagine you’re a simple student in the Netherlands. Without making any plans for it, what would you say the chance is that the same afternoon you’d be flying in a private jet with Richard Branson to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington?
That’s right! Zero. Or at least very very very close to zero. Yet this is exactly what Dutch students Omar Kbiri en Lennard Hulsbos achieved last week.
Their secret? They asked.
Mister Branson, we are 2 broke students, can we join you on the plane to DC?
They simply asked Richard Branson if he had two spare seats in his plane, so they could attend the inauguration. Richard Branson was a speaker at the Big Improvement Day convention in Amsterdam. During this event there was the possibility of asking questions by sending a sms to a big screen (that everybody could see). And they plainly asked. And Richard Branson said yes.
Now there were probably a myriad of reasons not to ask such a ‘ridiculous’ question, but none of those reasons would’ve gotten them quite the same result.
Takeaway
If you want something, why not simply ask for it? Who knows, people might just say yes.
Photo by unknown. Is this your photo?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s frickin’ awesome.
That is an AWESOME story! I love it, thank you for sharing it. And a very good point, indeed!
Lisa Marie Mary´s last blog post..Bubble Wrap – Oh Yeah!
Just go for it but please and there are many reasons to choose not to fly at all. Somehow we have to cure ourselves of the illusion that hopping on a plane is OK and dosn’t matter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNO7F5m-7pQ
Mike Grenville´s last blog post..Peak Oil is History
Wow, that’s an encouraging story, that reminds us, that if we want something in life, we won’t get a chance to get it unless we ask! And we shouldn’t be afraid of rejection, because the rewards of a “yes” far out way not doing anything at all!
Joey Logano´s last blog post..March Fan of the Month
Sir RIchard never misses an opportunity for free publicity. Saying yes gets publicity, saying no would probably not be reported. If he is going anyway the costs are already spent. Smart move.
Plus he is the sort of guy that is interested in people, so probably had a more interesting trip than normal.
Now “that’s” cool! What a genuine nice guy. Way to go, Sir Richard.
I love this! It’s so true…so many people limit themselves and never push the envelope. You never know what the answer will be until you ask, at least give people the chance to tell you “no” rather than deciding for them what they’ll answer. And sometimes even a “no” answer isn’t the end-all.
busygaltips.blogspot.com
Good observation indeed. The deeper point surely is this: be certain the right people are listening before asking an audacious question. Politicians have accrued much experience with this strategy, and the bruises to prove it.
Hey, that’s my friend!
Hey Derek,
To be honest i’ve never heard of you before you blogged about me and my pal with Branson.
I can tell you it was a life changer. When we arrived in Washington i’ve started my blog http://www.kbiri.nl . And shove all else aside as it brought me a purpose.
From that point of on i’ve been busy trying to inspire other young peoples ambitions through my blog.
Many thnx for the post, i gave me a smile
If you would ever be interested in having an interview on my blog. I would love to.
PS here are two rare interviews i’ve done, one is with Richard on his plane
pt 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7lQi-YLEKA
pt 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gij4FZcWcjA&feature=related
and another one with Tim Ferriss I also had, just by asking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdOUkUSgMmo
have a great new year
cheers
Omar
Great story, thanks for sharing.
It is true, you just don’t know until you ask, and its always worth a try. Beside, Mr B is a bloody nice guy with his feet firmly on the ground.
So true!
I did something like this too. I was an 18-year-old McDonald’s cashier in Vancouver, BC. I sent a letter to the then-president of McDonald’s for all of Canada, asking for a letter of reference.
He called my managers, asked for feedback, and sent me the letter!
Hallo Omar,
Ik wil je even spreken.
Wat is je telefoon nummer ?
Groeten van uit een zonnig HK.
Jan
{ 1 trackback }