IAO: Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
- Amy Cotta
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
A Mindset for Mission, Struggle, and Life
In the military, these three words are more than a motto. They’re a lifeline: Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
And for those of us carrying the mission forward—whether in boots, behind a desk, or deep in the trenches of nonprofit work—this mindset still matters.
We don’t live in a world of ideal conditions at Memories of Honor. We get scrappy and live IAO almost daily. We navigate tight timelines, limited resources, and a sacred responsibility: to honor our fallen heroes and support their families. There’s no room for “perfect.” But there’s always room for persistence.
This is where IAO comes in.
IMPROVISE
Plans fall apart. Vendors cancel. Weather changes. We pivot. We figure it out. We keep moving.
Improvising isn’t chaos—it’s clarity under pressure. It’s using what you’ve got, thinking on your feet, and pushing forward when the blueprint’s been burned.
ADAPT
Things shift. Teams change. What worked last year might flop tomorrow.
To adapt is to stay rooted in your mission while being flexible in your methods. It’s not weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s knowing that growth usually comes wrapped in discomfort and change. We don’t cling to how it was. We adjust for what’s next.
OVERCOME
This is where grit comes in. It’s not glamorous. It’s often quiet. It’s what happens after the panic fades and all you’ve got left is your why.
You overcome when you keep showing up. When you do the work. When you hold the line for the people and purpose you believe in—even when no one’s clapping.
But IAO doesn’t just live in the trenches of nonprofit work or military service.
It lives in each of us—in the way we show up for our lives, our families, and ourselves when things get hard.
Here’s how you make it your own:
Improvise in the Face of Chaos
Life rarely follows your plan. You lose a job. A dream shatters. Someone walks away.
When that happens, you don’t freeze—you get creative. You pull from what’s in front of you. You try something different. You stop waiting for perfect and start reaching for possible.
Improvising is about moving forward even when the road ahead looks nothing like what you imagined.
Adapt to the New Reality
You might have to let go of old versions of yourself. You might outgrow people, routines, even goals. Adaptation is painful—but it’s powerful.
You shift without losing your soul. You bend without breaking. You evolve—because staying stuck isn’t an option.
Overcome, One Step at a Time
Overcoming isn’t about winning. It’s about enduring. About putting one foot in front of the other—again and again. About choosing to rise, even when everything in you wants to stay down.
It’s courage in motion. And it’s always earned.
WHY IT MATTERS -- This Is for You
Maybe no one knows how hard you’re fighting. Maybe you’re quietly holding it together for everyone else. Maybe you’re just trying to make it through today.
Remember this:
You can improvise. You will adapt. And damn right—you’ll overcome.
One breath. One decision. One day at a time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amy Cotta is a Blue Star USMC Mom, military family advocate, and the founder of Memories of Honor—a national nonprofit that transforms everyday moments into powerful acts of remembrance. She’s passionate about honoring our fallen heroes, supporting their families, and sharing stories that heal. Whether she’s organizing a 5K, building a tribute wall, or writing words that move the soul, Amy shows up with heart, hustle, and a mission that never quits.
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