Executive Summary
My First Million episode 870, in which host Shaan Puri tells three stories of embarrassment and what he took from each: a personality test result after he sold a company, a failed pitch to a restaurant-industry figure that left him feeling pitied, and a personal story that led to starting his podcast. Sponsor: HubSpot, named in the episode description. PARTIAL COVERAGE: this note covers the first story in detail, part of the second story about a failed pitch, and the closing, and does not cover every part of the roughly 22 minute episode, including most of the third story. Puri's account of the test and of his own traits is his personal view and is not a psychological assessment. This is a summary of his storytelling, not medical, mental-health or business advice.
Key Takeaways
Embarrassment found him anyway
Puri says he works to avoid embarrassment, yet it finds him often. He says that after the sting fades there is usually some learning, growth or benefit.
A surprising test result after a sale
He says that after selling a company he hired a life-direction coach who gave him a personality test. He says he scored over 100 on a narcissism scale, which he calls a tendency to feel special.
Feeling special can help and hurt
Puri says the trait means feeling that your life will be special and that averages and rules do not fully apply, which pushes you to take action. He says the dose makes the poison.
Fuzzy specialness seeks validation
He says that because the sense of being special is vague, people look for validation elsewhere, such as social media, content or public speaking.
A failed pitch felt like pity
In a second story he describes pitching a restaurant idea to an industry figure and being met with pity instead of rejection, then being told to find a location, sign a lease and open.
Worship at the church of action
His show notes name this lesson. He says the pitch showed that starting a restaurant means taking real steps rather than polishing a concept.
Reinventing himself
He says one story ended with a friend becoming the first guest of My First Million, so the podcast began with him reinventing himself at the drop of a hat.
The Conversation Breakdown
Embarrassment found him anyway
⏱ Untimed topicPuri says he works to avoid embarrassment, yet it finds him often. He says that after the sting fades there is usually some learning, growth or benefit.
A surprising test result after a sale
⏱ Untimed topicHe says that after selling a company he hired a life-direction coach who gave him a personality test. He says he scored over 100 on a narcissism scale, which he calls a tendency to feel special.
Feeling special can help and hurt
⏱ Untimed topicPuri says the trait means feeling that your life will be special and that averages and rules do not fully apply, which pushes you to take action. He says the dose makes the poison.
Fuzzy specialness seeks validation
⏱ Untimed topicHe says that because the sense of being special is vague, people look for validation elsewhere, such as social media, content or public speaking.
A failed pitch felt like pity
⏱ Untimed topicIn a second story he describes pitching a restaurant idea to an industry figure and being met with pity instead of rejection, then being told to find a location, sign a lease and open.
Worship at the church of action
⏱ Untimed topicHis show notes name this lesson. He says the pitch showed that starting a restaurant means taking real steps rather than polishing a concept.
Reinventing himself
⏱ Untimed topicHe says one story ended with a friend becoming the first guest of My First Million, so the podcast began with him reinventing himself at the drop of a hat.
Core Frameworks & Ideas
The dose makes the poison - Puri's phrase
A trait that drives action can also cause harm in excess.
Worship at the church of action - Puri's lesson
Take real steps instead of polishing an idea.
The wound can become a door - Puri's framing
Ask what you gained from an embarrassing moment.
Actionable Next Steps
- ✓Write down one recent embarrassing moment and what you gained from it.
- ✓Replace one planning session with a concrete step such as a deposit or a call.
- ✓Notice where you look for validation and what you actually have to offer.
- ✓Check any test or health claims from the episode with a qualified professional.
Notable Quotes
“I had, no joke, 110 on the scale.”
“The dose makes the poison.”
“So, those are three stories of embarrassment where the wound became a bit of a door.”
The One Thing to Remember
Puri says embarrassment stings, but that each of his three stories left a lesson, and that the wound can become a door.