Like this:

What have you done in your life that you are most proud of?

Earlier this year I was at a Med School interview and the interviewer asked me that question.

Madame Toastmaster, Fellow Toastmasters and honored guests. What achievement are you most proud of? Please take sixty seconds and discuss with one or two neighbors what achievement you are most proud of…

Please finish up… Please shout out some of your proudest achievements. Great,

For me, this brings up visions of acing the SATs – the college entrance exams and the MCATs – the Medical School Aptitude Tests. I think on the birth of my daughter, my marriage, my successful divorce, getting my masters degree, my seven years at Cisco, running my first marathon. These are all important achievements.

But, three years ago, I was able to ask the famous tennis player from the sixties and seventies, Billie Jean King that question and got a different answer.

When my daughter, Heidi, was ten years old, she used to go to the YWCA for afterschool daycare. Every year, that Y had a women’s luncheon and a renowned speaker would attend. One year it was Sally Ride, the first American Astronaut, who promotes science education for girls, one year it was Gloria Steinem – Feminist, author and founder of Ms. Magazine. Another year it was Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic Gold Medalist. In 2007 it was Billie Jean King, the tennis player, athlete and visionary.

At about the same time Heidi was given an assignment in 5^th grade to write a report on a famous person. So, I said, “Heidi, why not do it on Billie Jean King. She has the most Wimbledon titles ever, she went on strike and started the Virginia Slims Women’s Tournament to protest women’s low prize money compared to men, and she was in the Battle of the Sexes, a tournament with a man, Bobbie Riggs to see if a woman could beat a man in tennis.”

Of course, she said, “Great. I’ll do it.” If only life were so simple. No, she said, “I don’t know, I was thinking of doing it on someone else.”

“Look, you could even have her sign a tennis ball as one of your souvenirs as part of the report.” Saved work, and she was convinced.

Now, Billie Jean was so excited that she decided to set up an opportunity to for Heidi to interview her for her report. I helped Heidi come up with questions and also was the official note taker on the call.

The interview was amazing. Billie Jean was as interested in Heidi as we were in her, and she was even interested in Heidi’s Dad. I was running my first half-marathon at that time and she felt that the most important goal was to finish. Everything else is gravy. It turns out that not only does Billie Jean King’s record for most Wimbledon championships still stand, she started the World Team Tennis league and she was the youngest female champion at Wimbledon for many years. She dominated women’s tennis for a decade.

So, as the interview was winding down I was curious which of all of her achievements she was most proud of. “Billie Jean,” we were on a first name basis, “of all of your achievements which are you most proud of.” I figured she’d have to choose starting the Virginia Slims tournament since it helped change the role of women, or perhaps beating Bobby Riggs, but then, all those Wimbledon championships. I couldn’t wait to hear.

“I don’t know yet. I’m not finished.” And who knows what her next achievement will be.

So, when the interviewer asked me the same question, I told the story about Billie Jean King. I choose the same answer, “I don’t know, yet. I’m not finished.”

That’s how I choose to live my life. I’m not finished. And my wish for you is to lead your life working towards that next achievement which could be the one you are most proud of.

Advertisement