I was in Las Vegas last week with one of our wonderful clients and her team. She was up for a prestigious award, and I wanted to be there to support her. It was a mark-the-moment, celebratory event!
We all could benefit from more celebration and moment marking, because it’s much easier to improve and grow when we feel good.
That big event was on the agenda for my trip to Vegas.
What wasn’t on the agenda was something that has, historically, not been how I roll. Upon arrival, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to see a show?” Some friends had gone to see Michael Jackson LIVE (but not really, because he’s not), and enjoyed it, so, at the last minute, we bought tickets and went.
Years ago, when I was an equity analyst at Merrill Lynch, I was in Brazil with several investors. After a day of meetings, one of the investors, over dinner, started to recount an adventure. He had been in Europe traveling, when he met two people who were going sailing for a week; on a whim, he went with them. That he would do this was almost inconceivable for the planner that was me (and still is), but hearing that story made an impression. I was reminded of it a few weeks ago, when our podcast guest, Kute Blackson, talked about surrendering to the unexpected in the context of his childhood adventures with his parents.
What if we did more of this? Throw our agenda to the wind and embrace an adventure.
A few months ago, I struck up a conversation with a couple while I was working in the lobby of the Little America Hotel—we exchanged a quick text and nothing more—but while writing this, I’ve reached out again. Because, why not? And who knows?
Yesterday, a young woman from Hong Kong accidentally texted me—it was a wrong number—but then she said, “Hello, I’m living in New York, and I’m a fashion designer. What about you?”
To be clear, other than going to MJ Live, I haven’t totally abandoned my norm. Nothing startling has happened with the couple from the hotel or the accidental text.
But isn’t that how the unexpected happens? Unexpectedly? We’ve heard of (and I’ve met) couples who married after meeting on an airplane. Or some other equally unlikely chance circumstance.
The beautifully accidental is not the result of great planning or a carefully scheduled itinerary. We can’t anticipate or prepare for it except by keeping a mind open to possibility and plans disrupted.
I wonder what kind of serendipity can happen if we are willing to surrender, roll with it, and leave a little play in our lives?
This week’s podcast is Robert Pasin, CEO of Radio Flyer, the company that makes the iconic red wagons. His company is about play—about fun—about taking people places. It was both fun and interesting.
All best,
Whitney
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