# Just Start the Sentence | Jaafar Wahbeh | TEDxKings Academy Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwuGgRHtMSE Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/cwuGgRHtMSE Generated: 2026-02-03T17:15:25.016+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Jaafar Wahbeh successfully launched an AI-powered internship platform called "X-ternity" connecting students with opportunities across the MENA region, overcoming initial self-doubt and the challenge of securing early partners by focusing on consistent action and embracing the imperfect start, inspired by quotes from Michael Scott and Keith Jarrett. **Key Points:** - Wahbeh was initially intimidated by a prestigious business event opening line, which he referenced using a quote from Michael Scott ('Just Start the Sentence'). - He founded 'X-ternity,' an AI-powered platform connecting students with internships across the MENA region, aiming to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. - The project started when Wahbeh was 18, inspired by a global initiative encouraging students to solve real-world problems. - Early partners were limited to his parents and family friends, illustrating the difficulty of gaining initial traction. - He was invited to speak about his initiative at the 'National Day: A Day for Our Nation' event in Cologne, Germany, where he performed a spontaneous 15-minute speech despite lacking a script. - Wahbeh referenced jazz musician Keith Jarrett's album 'The Köln Concert,' noting that the album was never intended to be a masterpiece, illustrating his philosophy that action beats perfection. - His core message is encapsulated in the quote: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take," attributed to Michael Scott quoting Wayne Gretzky. ![Screenshot at 0:03: The opening slide featuring the title of the talk, "Jaafar Wahbeh '26: Just Start the Sentence," setting the theme of overcoming hesitation to begin action.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cwuGgRHtMSE/00-00-03.jpg) **Context:** Jaafar Wahbeh delivers a TEDx talk at Kings Academy about his journey in launching an initiative focused on addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He uses humor, referencing the TV show 'The Office' character Michael Scott and jazz musician Keith Jarrett, to illustrate his theme: the importance of simply starting an endeavor ('Just Start the Sentence') even when feeling unprepared or facing initial failure, rather than waiting for perfection. ## Detailed Analysis The speaker, Jaafar Wahbeh, begins his talk by admitting his initial hesitation, referencing Michael Scott's famous quote about starting sentences without knowing the ending. He shares that his journey began at age 18 when his school joined a global initiative encouraging students to tackle real-world issues related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. His first attempt at gaining support for his initiative involved sending emails to companies and was met with silence, with his only initial partners being his parents and family friends. A key turning point came when he was invited to speak at the National Day event in Cologne, Germany, an honor that initially caused him to panic because he had no script. He improvised the entire 15-minute speech, drawing inspiration from jazz pianist Keith Jarrett's iconic 'The Köln Concert,' which was famously improvised and never intended to be perfect. Wahbeh argues that Jarrett's performance, which involved broken keys and being out of tune, still became the best-selling solo jazz album of all time, demonstrating that action beats perfection. This belief is reinforced by another Michael Scott quote: 'You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.' Ultimately, Wahbeh launched his AI-powered internship platform, 'X-ternity,' which connects students with internships across the MENA region, proving that starting imperfectly led to significant opportunities, including pitching to investors and meeting figures like Pope Francis. ### Inspiration & Initial Hesitation - Opening with a Michael Scott quote about starting before knowing the destination - Mentioned Michael Scott's character as a failed but admired manager - Recounted initial failure to gain partners for his initiative after contacting companies. ### The Initiative and Turning Point - Launched an AI-powered platform, 'X-ternity,' to connect students with internships supporting UN SDGs - Inspired by a Jordanian initiative in 2017 - Faced panic before speaking at a German event without a script. ### The Philosophy of Action - Referenced Keith Jarrett's 'The Köln Concert,' the best-selling solo jazz album, which was improvised and imperfect - Stated that movement often beats mastery and courage beats perfection - Concluded that it is okay not to know where to start, as long as you start. ![Screenshot at 0:04: Title slide for TEDxKings Academy event on January 22, 2026.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cwuGgRHtMSE/00-00-04.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:19: Clip from the movie 'Good Morning Vietnam' used to illustrate an overly dramatic public address.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cwuGgRHtMSE/00-00-19.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:25: Slide showing Michael Scott from 'The Office' holding a 'World's Best Boss' mug, setting up the theme of imperfect leadership/action.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cwuGgRHtMSE/00-00-25.jpg) ![Screenshot at 1:11: Slide displaying the UN Sustainable Development Goals \(SDGs\) grid, which inspired the speaker's initiative.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cwuGgRHtMSE/00-01-11.jpg) ![Screenshot at 3:09: A picture of the speaker as an 8-year-old making a silly face, symbolizing his early, perhaps foolish, ambition.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cwuGgRHtMSE/00-03-09.jpg)