How I Met Bill Gates

Ten years ago, I wrote to Microsoft and asked for an interview with Bill Gates. They sent me a rejection letter that said, “Bill really appreciates your interest in his perspectives on what it takes to succeed, but he regretfully must decline.” It was such a nice letter, I wasn’t even discouraged. I thought, “I’ll just keep doing my research and maybe some day I’ll get to talk to Bill.”

Well, that day was today. At the TED conference, I walked around a corner and stumbled into Bill Gates. I went up to him and introduced myself, we chatted for a while, and I told him about our 8 To Be Great Educational Program for colleges.

Then I said, “Would you like a copy of my book, 8 To Be Great?” But, as the words came out, I noticed he had no briefcase or bag to carry a book. So, what did I do? I stupidly tried to talk one of the world’s most influential people out of taking my book!  I said, “Well, maybe it’s too hard for you to carry.” Bill said, “How big is it?” I said, “It’s small,” and dug into my backpack for a book. He took it, looked at it, and said, “Thank you! I’ll read it.” And he was very sincere.

A few hours later, a man came up to me and said, “I just saw Bill Gates, and he was carrying your book under his arm.” Needless to say, it made my day. But not because it’s “my” book. Because it might help get the content out to more young people who are struggling, and give them a boost in life.

bill-gates-at-ted

  • Persistence, Richard! I watched his talk and passed it to every educator I know. Enjoy TED………

  • Persistence, Richard! I watched his talk and passed it to every educator I know. Enjoy TED………

  • wow richard, thats really good to know, bill gates carrying one’s book. But guess what? you really did a favor to bill gates in case he is not happy :).

  • wow richard, thats really good to know, bill gates carrying one’s book. But guess what? you really did a favor to bill gates in case he is not happy :).

  • Ibrahim Abubakar muhammad

    Dear sir, i hereby apply for job under your respective company. I am Nigerian,i born in 1969 and i finished my studies Diploma in shari’a and civil law.since the time i finished my school, i applys job but i never get,so that i decided to send my application to your company to assit me,becouse i have orphans those i take their responsible. I hope my application would be considered. Yours faithfully.ibrahim Abubakar muhammad

  • jamshaid arshad

    Dear sir iam pakistani and you know we are very talented so i want a job in your company i don,t know anything about software i think its not a problem i learn to you so dear sir please learn me and give me a job in your company if u do this this is pleasure i like you very much as a teacher 

  • Venkataramarao Sadineni

    Principles On Real Charity, Life Changing Aspects About Beatles
    Dear Bill Gates,
    We are great admirers of your humanitarian work,
    Could you please read below information that will give deep insights about charity
    As we introspect, we understand that we are more than just the physical existence. We work not with our body, actually, but with our mind and intelligence. The source of mental and intellectual activities is the living force, and the ancient scriptures say that we are the living force present inside the garment of this physical body.
    When the charity is aimed at the level of the ‘living force’ , it automatically covers the realms of intellectual, mental and physical well-being.
    The ancient Sanskrit scripture, ‘ Bhagavadgita’ informs us that we, the ‘living force ‘ will continue to exist even after the physical frame is dead.
    The charity done at body level will not uplift the humanity, it’s like saving the dress of a drowning man, also the charity done on the body platform there is no end to it because the needs will grow one after the other and will not make the humanity real intelligent people,
    but the charity done on the soul platform will save you from the most dangerous fears of birth, death, old age and disease and will save the entire humanity and future generations and establishes peace in the society

    It is impossible to improve people’s material conditions. Material conditions are already established by the superior administration according to one’s karma. They cannot be changed. The only benefit we can render to suffering beings is to try to raise them to spiritual consciousness…. If one is at all sympathetic or able to do good to others, he should endeavor to raise people to God consciousness

    If one has money, it should be used to push forward the God consciousness movement so that all of human society will become happy, prosperous and hopeful of being promoted back home, back to Godhead

    A devotee of the Lord tries to distribute knowledge of God everywhere and, as the world’s greatest philanthropist, he is always concerned about the welfare of the fallen, conditioned souls. He knows that the cause of suffering is forgetfulness of one’s relationship with God, and so he works tirelessly to broadcast the importance of becoming God conscious. The cause of happiness is knowing that God is the supreme proprietor of all worlds, the enjoyer of all sacrifices and the friend of all living beings. Armed with this knowledge, the devotee knows exactly how to dovetail everything and engage everyone in God’s service. He always adheres to the instructions given by the spiritual master and is never carried away on the waves of sentimentality. Because of his magnanimity, the devotee who dedicates himself to preaching God consciousness is assured of going back home, back to Godhead.

    please read the book called Chant and Be Happy to know more about the life of Beatles ( George Harrison )

    Please refer to the below links for more information on real charity
    https://God.org/on-giving-in-charity/
    We have sincere request, you’re a intelligent human, please don’t do all the charity on the bodily platform ( please don’t keep all the eggs in one basket )
    Could you please spare some time and think and scrutinize this,

    Best Regards,
    Srila Prabhupada Servant’s Servant