“The more concerned we become over the things we can't control, the less we will do with the things we can control.” – John Wooden
If you’re into screen printing, embroidery, or promo products, you're well aware that things don’t always go as expected. Supplies get delayed, clients have a change of heart, and machines decide to misbehave at the most inconvenient times.
It’s easy to let all that stuff mess with your head. But here’s the thing, most of it’s outside your control.
What You Can’t Control
You can’t control the shipping delays. You can’t control the customer who ghosted you. You can’t control the shop down the street lowballing prices. You can’t control the economy.
But you can choose how you respond.
What You Can Control
You can control how clean your prints come out. You can control how fast you respond to emails. You can control how well you treat your customers. You can control the vibe in your shop.
And you can control your mindset. That’s the big one.
When your energy is tied up in stuff you can’t fix, you’ve got less to give to the parts of your business that actually need you. It’s like trying to screen print with no ink—you’re just going through the motions.
So What Can You Do?
When an order’s late from your supplier, don’t spiral. Let the customer know, offer a solution, and move on.
When sales are slow, don’t compare yourself to that Instagram shop with a million followers. Use the time to post your latest work, send a follow up email, or try something new.
When a client flakes, take a breath and follow up, but don’t let it throw off your whole day. That one customer doesn’t define your shop.
Keep It Simple
Focus on the next right thing. The next shirt. The next email. The next quote. That’s how you grow. Not all at once, but one good decision at a time.
Your business is built on more than just ink and thread. It’s built on how you show up every day, especially when things don’t go according to plan.
A Little Encouragement
You’re doing better than you think.
You’re still here, still printing, still pushing. And that’s something to be proud of. So take a second today to shake off the stress, refocus, and get back to doing what you can do.
Because that’s where the magic happens.
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