Sun Tzu and the Serenity Prayer agree
This morning I read this:
“That which depends on me, I can do; that which depends on the enemy cannot be certain.” — Sun Tzu
The 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 what you can’t control. What competitors are doing. The latest market shift. The next economic hurdle. It comes from negativity bias — the human instinct that pulls us toward potential threats more than toward opportunities. The bias helps us notice challenges. It also burns a lot of energy on unproductive worry. Once you see it, you can choose to focus on what actually matters: what you can control.
The danger of worrying about competitors
A bakery I’ll borrow as an example is known for its scratch-made pies and cakes. One morning a customer mentions a wedding catered by another bakery — loved the unique dessert options. Another asks if the owner has seen the new gluten-free menu gaining traction across town. It’s easy to feel the sting. Should we start offering gluten-free? Should we overhaul the menu?
Ignoring competitors isn’t the answer. Obsessing over them won’t help either. The job is to take in the information thoughtfully. Does this shift in the market actually affect my business? Are there lessons I can use to improve what I offer? The gluten-free menu may not be a direct competitor to seasonal pies. It might spark an idea for a limited-time holiday offering. Take what’s valuable, leave the rest, and channel your energy into amplifying your strengths.
The bakery owner stepped back. She surveyed her customers. What they valued most was the personalized service and the ability to create custom cakes for special occasions. Instead of chasing a trend, she leaned into those strengths. A “Celebration Series” of customizable cakes for weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries.
List three trends or competitor actions you’ve noticed recently. Does this shift directly impact my business? Are there lessons I can adapt? Write down three things your business does better than your competitors and plan one initiative this month to highlight or improve one of them.
Strength from the inside out
Resilient businesses focus on internal strengths. Operations. Customer relationships. Product quality. These are controllable elements that build the foundation for sustainable growth, even in uncertain times.
An inn I know wasn’t worried about mimicking competitors. The owner focused on creating a guest experience that felt personal. Handwritten welcome notes. Seasonal local treats. Personalized itineraries. Guests left glowing reviews and came back for an experience that couldn’t be replicated.
Improving what’s within your control creates a moat around your business. A resilient business isn’t built by reacting to competitors. It’s built by doubling down on its strengths.
Streamline operations. Identify inefficiencies. Small adjustments — better inventory tracking, automating repetitive tasks — 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, personalized communication. Build emotional connection.
Choose one area — operations, team development, customer engagement — to improve this month. Set a clear goal. Break it down into weekly tasks. Measure progress.
Measuring success by your own standards
It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind when competitors are getting local press, expanding locations, or launching new products. Defining success by someone else’s accomplishments is a recipe for frustration. Real growth happens when you focus on what matters most to your business and your customers.
A café owner I know felt disheartened when a sleek new coffee shop opened nearby. The competitor gained buzz for its innovative beverage menu and partnerships with local artists. Instead of trying to replicate that, she focused on her own strengths — being fast and friendly during the morning rush. Streamlined the order process. Introduced a coffee subscription program. Added a customer appreciation week. Loyal regulars stayed. The café built its own reputation for warm, reliable experience.
Define success. Beyond profitability, what matters most? Team satisfaction. Customer retention. Something else. Let those priorities shape your goals.
Set meaningful metrics. Choose ones that reflect your values. Average service times. Customer satisfaction. Repeat purchases.
Track progress. Regular check-ins to evaluate and brainstorm.
Pick one meaningful metric. Build a simple tracking system. Review it weekly. Bring the team in on moving the needle.
Letting go of what you can’t control
A café known for its locally roasted coffee hears whispers about a new coffee shop opening nearby. The temptation is to panic. Instead, the owner focuses on what she can control. Enhances the outdoor seating area. Expands the locally sourced menu. Hosts “Meet the Farmer” nights to showcase her direct-trade coffee.
You can’t control external forces. You can shape how you respond. Focusing on what you can influence is how you build a stronger, more adaptable business.
Identify the stressors. Write down what’s causing the most anxiety. For each one, ask: is this within my control? If not, what can I do to reduce its impact? Then refocus your energy on the areas you can affect.
Small, consistent actions
Big wins are usually the result of small, intentional improvements.
The bakery owner from earlier set a weekly habit of reviewing customer feedback and making small adjustments. One week she streamlined packaging for takeout. Another week she experimented with a new seasonal flavor. Over six months, customer satisfaction rose and repeat business climbed.
Small, consistent improvements compound. Instead of going for the single big win, build through steady, deliberate action.
Start a weekly “focus and act” session. Pick one improvement goal. Take one measurable step. Track its impact.
Next steps
The path to success is focusing on what you can control. Invest in your strengths. Refine your operations. Let go of what’s beyond your influence. That’s how you build something resilient.
Write down three things your business does uniquely well. Brainstorm one way to amplify each this month. Identify one stressor you can’t control. Build a plan to reduce its impact while shifting energy to something actionable. Start the weekly focus habit. Pick one area for improvement. Track your progress.
Victory isn’t about controlling everything. It’s about controlling what you can and acknowledging what you can’t. Focus your energy where it matters most.
About the Author
Ron Tester is a physical therapist with thirty years in the field. He built, grew, and operated a multidisciplinary home health company employing PTs, OTs, and SLPs through a successful exit. He now coaches outpatient PT, OT, and SLP clinic owners on operating at the owner level. Certified Executive Coach and Book Yourself® Solid Coach. Learn more at https://www.rontestercoaching.com/about.