For the better part of 20 years, I’ve been lucky enough to be in an early morning workout group affectionately known as the “GP Old Guys.”
When we started, we were a relatively formidable bunch. We ran sprints, knocked out long runs, lifted heavy weights, and generally behaved as though our glory days were still ahead of us. Today? Not so much.
Our sprints have become (not so) brisk walks. Our heavy lifting has given way to stretching, foam rollers, and lengthy discussions about which orthopedic surgeon is the best in town. On some mornings, the most strenuous activity is getting off the floor after stretching. We’ve evolved. Or perhaps more accurately, devolved.
But here’s the thing. We still show up. And there’s something pretty special about that. We get the heart pumping, share a few laughs, and solve most of the world’s problems before 7 a.m.
Our workouts take place at our old high school, where the weight room is generally quiet in the early morning hours. But lately, something has changed.
The current high school hockey team has started showing up in force.
Suddenly, our peaceful little sanctuary has been invaded by teenagers with boundless energy. They’re loud. They’re enthusiastic. And they move around the weight room with a chaos that makes us tired just watching them.
One morning, they arrived carrying a massive Bluetooth speaker.
Uh-oh.
The Old Guys exchanged knowing glances. Surely, we were about to be subjected to heavy digital beats, hyper-repetitive lyrics, some hideous TikTok mashup, or whatever algorithmic “phonk” music the kids are listening to these days.
We braced ourselves. The speaker was positioned. The volume went up. The hockey players took their places.
And then…a miracle.
Through the speakers came the dulcet tones of Sting:
“I want my…I want my MTV!”
Followed by Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits, launching into one of the most iconic guitar riffs in rock history.
Money for Nothing. In our weight room. In 2026. Played by a bunch of high school hockey players.
Huh?
For a few glorious minutes, we weren’t a bunch of old guys with bad hips and questionable hamstrings. We were back in our 1980s glory.
And just like that, our faith in the next generation was restored.
We were absolutely convinced we knew what was coming. We had already decided it would be awful. And we were dead wrong. And doesn’t that happen all too often in our work and personal lives?
The Power of Being Pleasantly Surprised
In business, we see the warning signs. Sales are slowing. Expenses are climbing. The stock is sliding. We start preparing for layoffs, restructuring, or some other unpleasant outcome. And sometimes those fears are justified.
But sometimes, out of nowhere, something changes.
A new customer emerges. The market turns. A bold management decision breathes new life into a diversification strategy. An unexpected partnership opens doors nobody knew existed.
Suddenly, what looked like a disaster becomes a pleasant surprise!
Leave Room for Delight
The same thing happens in our personal lives.
As parents, we can become so conditioned to worrying about our children that we begin anticipating their next questionable decision before they’ve even made it.
And then one day, a child does something that completely surprises us. They demonstrate maturity. They take responsibility. They make a difficult but wise decision. They show kindness or compassion when we least expect it.
And we realize that perhaps some of those lectures actually landed after all.
The same is true with our spouses, siblings, friends, and colleagues. We can become so accustomed to certain behaviors that we stop allowing people the opportunity to surprise us.
We assume we know how they’ll respond. We write the script before they’ve even entered the room. And sometimes, we’re dead wrong.
Why Not Prepare for the Best?
Resilience is often described as the ability to withstand adversity, bounce back from setbacks, and persevere through difficult circumstances. All true.
But there’s another dimension that doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
The willingness to remain open to good things happening.
To understand that people can grow, circumstances can change, and the future isn’t always destined to repeat the past.
This doesn’t mean ignoring warning signs or pretending that difficult situations will magically resolve themselves. It simply means refusing to let our expectations of disappointment rob us of the possibility of joy.
It doesn’t cost us anything to remain optimistic.
Assume Good Intentions
Our GP Old Guys workout group will be back at the high school next week. We’ll shuffle through our routines and do our best to fight off the aging process. And the hockey players will probably show up again too.
Maybe next time they’ll play something completely unrecognizable. Maybe we’ll be subjected to the digital equivalent of a jackhammer attacking a washing machine.
But maybe not.
Because sometimes, just when we’re expecting the worst…
We might just get our MTV!