Upstaged by a pizza box

My business partner Katy and I had the unique opportunity to do musical improv training with Rick and Laura Hall. 

At one point, Katy, Rick and I are at a Bar Mitzvah (which, by the way, is NOT the same as a Bris (which, by the way, is not at all related to the pectoral meat of a cow)).

I immediately take on the role of pizza delivery person (which, by the way, is very out of place at a Bar Mitzvah, Bris or BBQ). I walk onto the scene with a Jewish uncle and an elderly neighbor when Laura calls, “Cut” (that’s only funny if you’re demented (and female)).

Laura deliberately walks up to me, removes the pizza box from my right hand and carries it over to my left hand (that’s only funny when you realize the pizza box is imaginary).

As the audience is to my right, she’s moving the pizza box to my upstage hand, reminding me, “Don’t let the object upstage you.”

It’s a memorable experience for many reasons, including how many times we let pizza boxes of life upstage us.

That pizza box might be an unpredicted situation, temporally stealing our spotlight, shifting our focus and challenging our expectations.

That pizza box might be self-doubt that we use as a shield, dimming our light of brilliant contribution.

That pizza box might be negative comments from others, blocking us from confidently presenting our gifts.

Unexpected circumstances happen.

Unpredictable moments pop up.

Spotlights get redirected.

Be open to unexpected opportunities and challenges, learn to thrive in the spotlight, even when the script deviates from what you rehearsed.

All you need to do is move the pizza box to your other hand so your adaptability, resilience and flexibility can shine.

Mazel tov.