To me, May offers opportunities. Perhaps it’s the longer daylight hours with vibrant flowers blooming—a sign of growth and promise. Or could be May represents gratitude, happiness and celebrations, such as Mother’s Day and prom.

Think back to the excitement you felt as a high school senior. Remember shopping for prom gowns, tuxes, and flowers? Blame me for the sky blue tux my date wore.

As we ride this current disruptive path, business looks different for everyone. People say pivot. How do you pivot? I’d rather think improvise because improvise can create a pivot. What can you do right now with what you have?

As co-president of National Speakers Association Pittsburgh (NSAP), my co-president and I have had to improvise—a lot. Like many, we moved live workshops to virtual ones and realized as much work goes into canceling as planning.

When the safe-at-home mandate occurred, I knew another six weeks at home could be tough. I had spent January and February recovering from a Dec. 26th surgery. Although I couldn’t drive or work, it was winter and seemed easier. Dwelling on “It’s only two weeks since I’ve been going out of the house!” would be reactive [and whining], not proactive.

Sometimes, when life is challenging, it’s hard to shift from worry to opportunities. I get it. I realize when I ask myself questions, it pushes me from “worry mode” to “solution mode.” My favorite question is “What can I do right now with what I have?” It pushes me into “improvise mode” a key fundamental that helps me Bounce-Up™.

I know it’s been some time since you’re heard from me. Like our world today, I’ve had many changes and challenges that have impacted my personal and professional life. As you know, what happens to us personally affects us professionally and vice versa.