Focus on What You Can Control
This morning I read this: “That which depends on me, I can do; that which depends on the enemy cannot be certain.” — Sun Tzu
This passage reminds me of the Serenity Prayer:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
In business, it’s easy to get consumed by things you can’t control—what your competitors are doing, the latest market shift, or the next economic hurdle. This tendency stems from the negativity bias, a natural human instinct that makes us focus more on potential threats than on opportunities or successes. While this bias can help us recognize challenges, it often leads to unproductive worry. The good news? Once we’re aware of it, we have the choice to focus on what truly matters: the things we can control.
Let’s explore how to shift your energy to what’s within your control and build a stronger, more resilient business.
The Danger of Worrying About Competitors
Imagine running Poppy’s Pastries, a beloved bakery known for its scratch-made pies and cakes. One morning, a customer mentions they attended a wedding catered by another bakery and loved the unique dessert options. Another asks if you’ve seen the new gluten-free menu that’s gaining popularity across town. It’s easy to feel the sting of doubt: Should you start offering gluten-free options? Should you overhaul your menu to compete?
Key Insight: Ignoring what competitors are doing isn’t the answer, but obsessing over them won’t help either. The goal is to strike a balance—observe the market, learn what’s useful, and then focus on strengthening your own business.
Instead of reacting impulsively, take in the information thoughtfully. Ask yourself: Does this shift in the market affect my business? Are there lessons I can use to improve what I offer? Maybe the gluten-free menu isn’t a direct competitor to your seasonal pies, but it sparks an idea to create a limited-time holiday offering that captures customer attention. The key is to take what’s valuable, let go of the rest, and channel your energy into amplifying your strengths.
Example: After hearing about the other bakery’s buzz, the owner of Poppy’s Pastries took a step back. They surveyed their customers and found that what people valued most was their personalized service and their ability to create custom cakes for special occasions. Instead of chasing a new trend, they leaned into these strengths, creating a “Celebration Series” of customizable cakes that offered premium designs for weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries.
Challenge: Evaluate your market by listing three trends or competitor actions you’ve noticed recently. Ask yourself:
- Does this shift in the market directly impact my business?
- Are there lessons I can learn or ideas I can adapt to fit my strengths?
From there, write down three things your business does better than your competitors. Choose one and plan an initiative to highlight or improve it this month. For example, if customers rave about your seasonal flavors, consider introducing a “Flavor of the Month” program to keep them excited and engaged.
Strength from the Inside Out
Resilient businesses focus on internal strengths: operations, customer relationships, and product quality. These controllable elements form the foundation for sustainable growth, even in uncertain times.
Example: The owner of Maple Valley Inn wasn’t concerned with mimicking competitors. Instead, they focused on creating a guest experience that felt personal and memorable. They added thoughtful touches like handwritten welcome notes, seasonal local treats, and personalized itineraries. Guests who stayed at the inn left glowing reviews and returned for the warm, unique experience that couldn’t be replicated.
Key Insight: Improving what’s within your control creates a moat around your business that external forces struggle to cross. A resilient business isn’t built just by reacting to competitors—it’s built by doubling down on its strengths.
Practical Steps:
- Streamline Operations: Identify inefficiencies in your workflow. Even small adjustments, like improving inventory tracking or automating repetitive tasks, can free up resources and boost morale.
- Invest in Your Team: Train employees to deliver consistent, high-quality service. Empower them to solve problems and make customers feel valued.
- Deepen Customer Relationships: Loyalty programs, community events, and personalized communication help create an emotional connection with your customers.
Challenge: Choose one aspect of your business—operations, team development, or customer engagement—that you can improve this month. Set a clear goal, like reducing wait times, introducing new customer service training, or increasing repeat business. Break it down into weekly tasks and measure your progress.
Measuring Success by Your Own Standards
It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind when competitors are getting local press coverage, expanding locations, or launching new products. But defining success based on someone else’s accomplishments is a recipe for frustration. True growth happens when you focus on what matters most to your business and your customers.
Example: The owner of Morning Roast Café felt disheartened when a sleek new coffee shop opened nearby. The competitor gained buzz for its innovative beverage menu and partnerships with local artists who displayed their work in the café. Instead of trying to replicate these offerings, Morning Roast focused on its strengths—being fast and friendly during the morning rush. They streamlined their order process, introduced a coffee subscription program, and added a customer appreciation week. The result? Loyal regulars stayed, and the café built its own reputation for a warm, reliable experience.
Key Insight: Success isn’t about keeping up with what others are doing—it’s about defining what success means for your business and making decisions that align with that vision.
Practical Steps:
- Define Success: In addition to profitability, ask yourself what matters most in your business. Is it team satisfaction, customer retention, or something else? Use these priorities to shape your goals.
- Set Meaningful Metrics: Choose metrics that reflect your values and your customers’ needs, like average service times, customer satisfaction, or repeat purchases.
- Track Progress: Schedule regular check-ins to evaluate your metrics and brainstorm ways to improve.
Challenge: Choose one meaningful metric for your business, such as employee engagement, customer satisfaction, or product quality. Create a simple tracking system and review it weekly. Involve your team in finding ways to move the needle.
Letting Go of What You Can’t Control
Imagine running Hearthstone Café, a cozy spot known for its locally roasted coffee and community feel. When whispers spread about a new coffee shop opening nearby, it’s natural to feel anxious about losing customers. But instead of panicking, you focus on what you can control. You enhance your outdoor seating area, expand your locally sourced menu, and host “Meet the Farmer” nights to showcase your direct-trade coffee.
Key Insight: You can’t control external forces like competitors or economic changes, but you can shape how you respond. By focusing on what you can influence, you build a stronger, more adaptable business.
Practical Steps:
- Identify Stressors: Write down the things causing you the most anxiety.
- Ask the Right Questions: Is this within my control? If not, what can I do to reduce its impact?
- Refocus Your Energy: Shift your focus to improving areas you can control, like team training or customer engagement.
Challenge: Identify one uncontrollable stressor affecting your business. Brainstorm a proactive step to mitigate its impact, like diversifying suppliers or creating a loyalty program to retain customers. Then, choose one actionable area within your control to improve this week.
The Power of Small, Consistent Actions
Big wins are often the result of small, intentional improvements. Sun Tzu’s wisdom reminds us that preparation and focus build momentum for long-term success.
Example: The owner of Poppy’s Pastries set a weekly habit of reviewing customer feedback and making small adjustments. One week, they streamlined the packaging process to make takeout orders more efficient. Another week, they experimented with a new seasonal flavor. Over six months, these small changes resulted in higher customer satisfaction and a noticeable uptick in repeat business.
Key Insight: Small, consistent improvements compound over time. Instead of focusing on a single big win, build your success through steady, deliberate actions.
Practical Steps:
- Start Small: Pick one small improvement each week, such as refining your menu descriptions, reorganizing your workspace, or implementing a new customer follow-up system.
- Track Progress: Reflect on what worked and what didn’t, then adjust for the next week.
- Build Momentum: Celebrate progress, even if it feels incremental. These small wins build confidence and keep you motivated.
Challenge: Start a weekly “Focus and Act” session. Write down one improvement goal, such as improving communication between staff or refining your loyalty program. Take one measurable step each week and track its impact.
Strength in Control: Your Next Steps
“That which depends on me, I can do; that which depends on the enemy cannot be certain.”
The path to success lies in focusing on what we can control. By investing in your strengths, refining your operations, and letting go of what’s beyond your influence, you create a business that’s resilient and ready to adapt.
Your next steps:
- Write down three things your business does uniquely well. Brainstorm one way to amplify each strength this month.
- Identify one stressor you can’t control. Create a plan to reduce its impact while shifting your energy to something actionable.
- Start a weekly focus habit. Choose one area for improvement, take measurable steps, and track your progress.
Victory isn’t about controlling everything, which is impossible. It’s about controlling what you can and acknowledging what you can’t. When you focus your energy where it matters most, your odds of victory go up.
