Adaptable

For Rita, Adaptability begins with a simple belief: when life changes unexpectedly, spending too much time wishing things were different doesn't help. She prefers to focus her energy on what can be done next.

This mindset served her well during her sixteen years as a risk manager for a long-term care company. Whenever an issue arose, Rita's job was to understand what had happened and help the organization make adjustments that would reduce the likelihood of it happening again. While others sometimes resisted change because "that's the way we've always done it," Rita was often the person encouraging people to consider a different approach. She enjoyed helping teams find solutions and make improvements that reduced future risks.

That same approach shows up throughout her personal life. When things don't unfold as expected, Rita rarely spends much time asking, "Why did this happen?" Instead, she asks, "What do we do now?" She naturally looks for options, adjusts course, and keeps moving forward. To her, Adaptability is less about changing plans and more about accepting reality and responding to it constructively.

Rita believes Adaptability helps her worry less. When challenges arise, she doesn't spend much time wringing her hands over what should have happened. If one approach doesn't work, she adjusts and keeps moving. That mindset helps her focus on possibilities rather than disappointments.

Others often benefit from her outlook as well. Her children have teased her about always finding a silver lining, especially when they are still processing a disappointment. Over time, Rita has learned that not everyone is ready for solutions as quickly as she is. Sometimes people need space before they are ready to adapt. Still, she hopes her example reminds them that a setback is not the end of the story.

One phrase comes up often when Rita reflects on her life: I have no regrets. For her, that doesn't mean everything has gone according to plan. It means she chooses to learn from what happens rather than dwell on what cannot be changed. She believes most situations eventually work out, even if they look very different from what was originally expected.

Her advice to others is simple … alter your mindset. Take a step forward, even if you're not completely sure it's the right one. If it doesn't work out, make an adjustment and try again. Adaptability isn't about having all the answers. It's about trusting that you can find your way forward when circumstances change.

“I have no regrets. Every experience teaches you something and helps you move forward."

- Rita