Derek Hagen, CFA, CFP®, FBS®, CFT™
“It’s not the note you play that’s the wrong note – it’s the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong” -Miles Davis
I was on my way to Alpine Valley in Wisconsin to see Phish, a band renowned for its improvisational style. Phish starts with familiar songs and then lets the moment guide them, transforming their song Simple into an epic 40-minute journey. This works because the band pays careful attention to what happens in each moment before adding to the song.
Similarly, legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock remarked that he once made a major mistake while playing a show with the famous jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. Herbie was amazed by how Miles made it sound like Herbie’s mistake was part of the show. Herbie noted that Miles made it work because he accepted the mistake; he didn’t judge it.
Life, much like a live improv performance, rarely sticks to our carefully crafted plans. Much like that Phish concert or live jazz, our everyday lives often take surprising turns. Instead of clinging to rigid plans, we can choose to say “yes…and” adapt as life unfolds. It’s a powerful reminder that the right question—or the right mindset—can open us up to new possibilities.
Sometimes, the beauty lies in embracing the unexpected.
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We Can’t Predict the Future
We all have plans—whether it’s for our finances, our careers, or our personal lives. Our plans plot our course from where we are to where we want to go.
Yet, no matter how detailed our blueprint, life often surprises us. Like a winding road that veers away from our straight-line expectations, the future remains uncertain.
The unpredictability of life isn’t a flaw in our planning; it’s the nature of the journey. Recognizing that we cannot foresee every twist and turn allows us to let go of rigid expectations and be more open to the unexpected opportunities that come our way.`
Acceptance and Moving Forward
Think about that spilled glass of milk—you can’t unspill it, but you can clean it up and move on. The same principle applies to life’s unexpected moments. When plans go awry, the best we can do is accept what’s happened and then ask, “What now?”
Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up; it means being flexible enough to adapt and grow. By adopting a “yes…and” mindset, we transform disruptions into stepping stones. Instead of getting stuck in regret, we learn from the moment and build a more resilient, creative approach to life planning.
Saying yes to life means more than just accepting reality—it means actively engaging with it. Just like the improvisation in a Phish concert or Miles Davis performance, the beauty of life often emerges from unexpected moments. By blending careful planning with the courage to adapt, you can transform challenges into opportunities and setbacks into stepping stones for growth.
Next time life takes an unexpected turn, remember: every surprise is a chance to say “yes, and…” to the adventure. Embrace the unpredictability, adjust your course, and discover how the right mindset can open up a world of possibilities.
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This post originally appeared on Meaningful Money.