Didn't get what you want? There might be a gift in that.

Open yourself to the unexpected.

As a female solopreneur with goals and plans for my business, this something I’ve been thinking about.

When things don’t go as planned, when you don’t get what you want, it’s easy to become frustrated and discouraged. I know, I’ve been there.

And when it happens, I try to remind myself that perhaps there is something better than what I had anticipated on the other side of the disappointment.

Let me share a (non-business-related) example…

☀️ Last August, I traveled to a hot, sunny locale near the water (read: the opposite of my 6th floor Brooklyn apartment). I am a big researcher when I visit new places, so I knew the few beach clubs I wanted to visit during my stay.

☀️ One day, I ventured to a club high on my list, aware that I had left later than I should have in the height of the summer season. When I arrived, I was told that there were no spots available. I persisted, going back two more times, only to receive the same response. Needless to say, I was not happy.

☀️ At this point in the day, Plan B was a quiet, rocky beach not far away. I went but stayed long enough to read, swim and eat lunch that I had packed.

☀️ Having arrived back at my Airbnb earlier than I would have had I secured a spot at the desired beach club (late afternoon is my favorite), I decided to get showered and go out for dinner just up the street.

☀️ As I approached the restaurant, I saw that there was seating arranged and a stage set up for an outdoor concert, which I had no clue was taking place that night.

☀️ Having better luck with this endeavor, I secured an outdoor table at the restaurant (I had arrived on the early side this time) and then spent the next 3+ hours eating, drinking, people-watching, and listening to fabulous music I would never otherwise have heard.

In other words, things worked out even better than I could have expected had my original plan (what I thought I wanted) worked out.

Perhaps you have a similar story (or two), and perhaps yours is business-related.

Either way, I hope you’ve experienced this form of magic.

You just never know what’s going to happen.

Sometimes the answer is a really good question >>

The importance of knowing your “why” in business and life >>