My heart is pumping, my energy is electric, and my ears are still ringing.

I just
got out of a concert with my girlfriend and had an absolutely awesome time.
The atmosphere was great, the music was pretty solid, and I got to spend time
with the person I love and see her completely in her element.

Admittedly, the concert wasn’t something that I was excited about. It was for a
band that I don’t really know, and the music is not something I enjoy.

In addition to not being excited about the music itself, I also wasn’t very
enamored with the idea of waiting outside for nearly 45 minutes in freezing
cold weather. I’m not a concert goer and didn’t realize this was a part of the
process. Let’s just say I didn’t dress appropriately. (Neither did she, by the
way.)

I did my best to put on a good front, but by no means was it easy. It helped to
physically see her excitement: a beaming smile on her face and the literal
‘jumping for joy’ that she did as we realized the line was moving and we were
heading inside.

Given my negative preconceived notions, I have to admit the concert was

pretty damn amazing. The music was great, the atmosphere was killer, and
there are few things more enjoyable than live music.

The entire experience got me thinking about how easily I could’ve had a
terrible night, and even worse, ruined her night as well. Fortunately I was able
to practice a few strategies that helped shift my mindset from negative Nancy
to positive Pelosi.

Be Open to Opportunities

While you don’t have to be Jim Carrey in “Yes Man”, it’s important that you’re
open to opportunities. You should be mindful of the mental blocks and
barriers that may be holding you back from experiencing and enjoying life.

We all have those barriers. It’s a defense mechanism against change which the
body can internalize as a bad thing. That’s why situations outside your comfort
zone make you nervous or feel awkward, your body is sending you signals to
resist change. This change, however, is growth; and growth is the key to
long-term success, happiness, and fulfillment. Become aware of those
thoughts, be vigilant in battling them, and remember that sometimes that bit
of nervousness or fear is actually a really good thing.

Embrace the Moment

Not only do you need to be open to new opportunities, but you also need to be
open to embracing the moment in the ‘here-and-now.’ That means putting
aside any preconceived notions or judgments you may have, and opening
yourself up to the feelings of the moment. It means being present and tapping
into your inner child: playful, open-minded, and excited for everything.
Remember when you were a kid and anything could be fun if you tried hard
enough? (Like going to the grocery store and playing hopscotch on the tiles?)
That’s how you should approach each and every moment if you want to
experience new things and live your best life.

Maybe you don’t like the music at the concert, the sport that you’re watching,
or the movie that’s playing. That doesn’t mean you can’t find something
enjoyable in the situation. There is always something to enjoy about a
situation, but you will never be able to find it if you close yourself off from the
moment.

I may not have enjoyed waiting in the freezing cold, feeling like a can of
sardines shoulder to shoulder with those around me, or most of the songs I
listened to. However, I was able to find immense joy in jumping around with
my girlfriend, seeing her happy, and finding a few hidden gems of songs that I
actually enjoyed! (And likely otherwise never would have heard.)

“Fake It Til’ You Make It”

If nothing else works, “fake it til’ you make it.” Sometimes simply acting like
you enjoy something, and buying into the process, will give you a chance to
enjoy something you never thought you would. In the case of the concert, it
was music I never listen to, both the band and the genre, and I was totally out
of my element. I didn’t know how to dress, how to act, or how to “be.” This
easily could’ve put me in a place where I was closed off and unable to buy into
the experience.
What did I do? I faked it. I watched and picked up on the vibes of the people
around me. I did as they did. I moved to the music in a way that they did,
bought into the energy they were putting out, and as a result I found myself far
more engaged in and enjoying the music than I ever thought I could. It’s
actually pretty amazing to think about, considering that just a few hours prior
I would’ve liked nothing more than to avoid ever hearing the band’s music..

If you’re at a concert, dance. Sing along. If you’re at a sporting event, join

along in their chants and revelry. If you’re in a fitness class, turn up your
energy and give it your all. No matter what you do, if you buy-in to the process
you’ll give yourself a chance to experience it as it should be. More often than
not you’ll probably find something enjoyable about the experience.

I hope you never shy away from experiences just because of preconceived
judgements that ​might be wrong​. While it’s certainly important to be able to
say no and filter certain things out, I think it’s equally as important to be open
to saying yes and trying new things. While you may not always find a new
band you love, hobby you enjoy, or food you fall in love with, you’ll often find
the experience is always worth it.

Be open to new experiences, find joy in the moment, and if necessary “fake it
til’ you make it” until your mindset shifts. That is how you’ll make the most
out of any situation.