Radical Optimism: A Lesson from an Unexpected Concert

Sometimes life lines up in a way that feels almost too good to be true. Flights run on time, connections are seamless, and an idea that seemed impossible suddenly becomes reality.

That’s exactly what happened to me recently, and it left me reflecting on something I never thought I’d embrace: radical optimism.

Joy of Live Music

The Surprise Plan

I was flying home from a board meeting. My schedule had been tight — fly out for the meeting, stay one night, fly back the next evening. No wiggle room. No chance to rearrange flights without missing a full day of responsibilities.

But somehow, it all worked out. My plane took off on time, landed early, and I hadn’t checked a bag. As I walked through the airport, I realized: I could actually make it home in time for something special.

For the past six months, I had been eyeing a concert by an artist I love. The Chicago stop was scheduled for the very night I returned, but I had written it off as impossible. Too complicated. Too exhausting. Old me — the burned out version — would have shut the idea down immediately. “No way. Too much effort. Too many logistics.”

But instead, I texted my husband: “I landed on time. Are we going?”

A Crazy Idea Becomes Reality

His reply? “What tickets can you find?”

I almost laughed out loud. Was this actually happening?

I quickly scanned ticket sites and found a reasonably priced seat — limited view, but that didn’t matter. I called the girls and said, “Guess what? Mom landed. She’s on her way home. We’re going to a concert!”

Silence on the other end.

For a moment I wondered if I had miscalculated. Weren’t they excited? Then my husband explained — they were just in shock. This wasn’t something we normally did on a weeknight. And for them, it was only their second concert ever.

But it worked out. We went. And only after arriving did I realize the name of the tour was Radical Optimism.

A New Kind of Energy

That phrase stuck with me because optimism hasn’t always come naturally. If you’ve known me a long time, you probably know I often call myself a pessimist. And in seasons of burnout, I didn’t have energy for optimism at all.

Back then, I didn’t even have energy to enjoy things I loved — like live music — or to imagine possibilities outside the daily grind. The idea of going to a concert after a long flight? Impossible. I would’ve gone straight home, collapsed on the couch, and written it off as too much.

But this time was different.

This time, I noticed the opportunity. I had the energy to act on it. And more than that — I had the desire to create an unexpected moment of joy with my family.

That’s when I realized: radical optimism isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about believing something good might still be possible — and letting yourself reach for it.

What Radical Optimism Looks Like

Radical optimism doesn’t mean ignoring reality. My schedule is still packed. I’m still tired some days. Life isn’t magically easy.

But radical optimism means I can:

• Stay open to possibilities instead of shutting them down before they start.

• Use my energy differently — not just to get through obligations, but to create joy and connection.

• Choose creativity over perfection, recognizing that “imperfect but meaningful” often matters more than “perfect but exhausting.”

For me, that concert wasn’t just about music. It was about reclaiming a piece of myself — the part that can be spontaneous, the part that can say yes to fun, the part that can model for my daughters that joy is worth pursuing even when life feels busy.

Old Me vs. New Me

Old me — the burned out me — would’ve never pulled this off. She didn’t have the reserves. She didn’t even consider opportunities like this possible.

But healthier me — the one who’s been practicing balance, boundaries, and renewal — had space to say yes.

That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my own journey: when you’re burned out, joy feels inaccessible. When you’re recovering, joy becomes imaginable. And when you’re thriving, joy becomes possible again — sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

Why This Matters

I’m not sharing this story just because of one concert. I’m sharing it because it signals something deeper.

It’s a reminder that energy isn’t only about surviving the week or completing the checklist. Energy is also about creating moments that nourish us, surprise us, and reconnect us to the people we love.

And optimism isn’t about ignoring challenges. It’s about staying open to the possibility that something good could happen — and giving yourself permission to embrace it when it does.

A Pessimist’s Toast

So here’s my confession: for years, I’ve called myself a pessimist. Maybe you have too. Maybe it’s easier to expect less so we’re not disappointed.

But here’s to trying something different. Here’s to practicing radical optimism — not because life is easy, but because sometimes, things do work out. And when they do, we can choose to celebrate instead of second-guess.

That night, I chose joy. I chose connection. I chose optimism. And it reminded me of the life I want to keep building — one where energy isn’t only spent, but also renewed.

So here’s to you, to me, and to all of us who are learning how to embrace joy again: may we be radically optimistic, even if it still feels a little out of character.

Optimistic Takeaway

If you’re feeling burned out, radical optimism might sound out of reach. And that’s okay. You don’t have to overhaul your mindset overnight.

Instead, start small: look for one unexpected opportunity this week to say yes to joy. Maybe it’s a walk outside instead of scrolling your phone. Maybe it’s calling a friend when you’d usually talk yourself out of it. Maybe it’s listening to your favorite song on the way home instead of diving straight into more work.

Radical optimism isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about training yourself to notice possibilities for good — and giving yourself permission to take them.

Because when you do, you’re not just surviving. You’re reminding yourself that joy, energy, and connection still belong to you.

And if you’d like practical tools to create more space for calm in your daily life, I’d love to invite you to my free on-demand masterclass: Simple Practices to Create Calm in a Demanding Career. In it, I share strategies you can use right away to reduce stress, reclaim energy, and make room for the things that matter most.

You can sign up and watch anytime — and who knows? Maybe that small step will be your own act of radical optimism.