Chris, this is Chris, from one week in the future. Through a miracle of science I’m sending this letter to you after being in Dubai for COP28 for five days that you will receive before you depart for the airport. I know you’re feeling nervous right now, no matter how much preparation you’ve done. You’re wondering what will happen. I’m here to make things a bit easier since I have some details for you:
- Your strategy of creating a game you win the moment you decide to play it is a complete winner. I know you’ve done it before, but you weren’t sure about taking it to a whole other level by introducing yourself as a future Nobel Peace Prize winner for solving climate change. Stay the course on this, I’m telling you it’s going to work. First, there will be a man standing beside you at the airport for boarding. There will be a one hour delay for your flight. While standing next to this man, make small talk, and then ask him what brings him to Dubai. Then tell him these exact words: “I’m also going to Dubai to attend COP28. I will be part of the team that wins the Nobel Peace Prize for solving climate change.” He’s going to introduce himself as a member of the International Monetary Fund and will be at COP28. Don’t let his fancy job intimidate you, lean into your edge – tell him you’re creating your next, greatest chapter. He’s going to be blown away, trust me.
- After you get there, meet up with your colleague, Rita, who invited you to come, and go over some strategy. The two of you will affirm that you will allow yourselves to be the most interesting people in whatever room you are in. Allow yourself to be that.
- You’re going to notice everyone at your hotel are dressed like bankers. Don’t play that game. Dress like Anabolic Frolic. I’ve included a photo. Wear these clothes when you go to the Green Zone for the first time. No apologies.
4. When you enter the Green Zone, you’re going to see a camera crew doing interviews. Approach them. Tell them you’d like to be interviewed. They will feature you in the National News, Dubai’s biggest newspaper.
5. Once entering the Green Zone, follow serendipity. Don’t have an agenda. Wander. Make each decision in that moment, and then this is the important part – introduce yourself to anyone you make eye contact with. This could be an attendee, could be an exhibitor, could be a staff person. Any time there’s a moment for a human to human connection – do it. And introduce yourself the same way, tell them you’ll be a Nobel prize winner. And then let the conversation go from there. Fill in your story of how you got there and what it all means. Create moments of being on a stage in front of them. An audience of 1. You are magical when on stage. Be magical.
6. Notice their body language as you share your story of why you are there, impossible goals, and how you are creating your next, greatest chapter. You will notice that everyone believes you. They believe you will succeed, and then something happens – they transform in front of your eyes. Their shoulders relax. You’ve given them hope. You’ve given them inspiration. They won’t see the world the same way because they’ve just had a gift of an experience by talking to you and you sharing your story.
7. During your day in the Green Zone you will wander through the start-up hub. There will be an AI tech company there that uses machine learning to manage carbon emissions. You’ll meet the founder and 2 data scientists. They will give you a demo of what they’re doing. Ask questions. And then they will ask about you, and this is where you will create a stage in that moment for the 3 of them. You will tell them your impossible goal, your story, why you’re there. Notice their body language as you speak. Look at how they light up in response to you. Pay attention to the data scientist who can’t contain himself and exhales “This is awesome!” from simply being in your presence. Share that serendipity has brought you to them, all the weight of that will land with them, that this is no normal encounter. You have changed and they have changed.
8. Notice how many different cultures you’ve interacted with all day, and each of them has the same response to you. These are strangers to you, from all over the world, and in a brief moment you’ve created a powerful interaction that you and they will never forget. Tell each of them they are an important part of your story now. They will know how special that is. They will be moved. This is why you’re here.
9. When you feel tired, you can call it a day. You will have succeeded in your entire mission of coming on the very first day. As an added bonus you have a media appearance to use for the rest of your life. Everything after that day is gravy.
10. Take it easy, you’ve earned it. Take a moment to write to the Frolic 100, so you can amplify your story to your own community. They will also change from watching you take this on. Rita was right, your voice was needed here. You are unique, and you bring so much to this pressing challenge.
I love you, and am so proud of you.
Chris
