The Afghanistan withdrawal. Vaccine mandates. Automotive plant shutdowns.

You listen or watch the news and realize that so much is in flux.

And that’s when uncertainty, fear, and anxiety often begin to deplete our energy and cloud our judgment.

It’s easy to become so distracted by everything going on around you that you lose focus on what you need to be doing TODAY to not only survive but thrive in this environment.

But, as an expediter, how do you keep your head when everyone else is losing theirs?

In times like these, I’m reminded of a powerful quote by the legendary basketball coach John Wooden who said, “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

Ride the Forces, Don’t Fight Them
The lesson here: You can’t control the market, trucking regulations, public health policy, the pandemic, and many other external forces that could impact your success.

But you CAN control how you respond to those forces―to channel whatever energy comes your way to position your business for growth.

Think about it. A 20-ft wave terrifies the average beachgoer but THRILLs a professional surfer who transforms that wave’s overwhelming power into a stage for performing breathtaking maneuvers―like an artist on the water.

So, resist the temptation to complain about external forces you have no control over.

Instead, learn how to ride that wave and harness its energy to build momentum for your long-term success.

Ask yourself:

What attitudes or beliefs are bringing me down right now and keeping me from achieving my goals?

What changes do I need to make to break through my inner resistance and get back on track toward my goals?

Should I consume less social media and news and more books (or audiobooks) and inspirational content?

What are my most significant challenges in this environment―and what are the potential opportunities I can find in them?

How can I convert the negative energy I feel into productive action?

The Bottom Line
When you deal with things as they are, not as you WISH they would be, you’ll be in the right mindset, as Coach Wooden put it, to “make the best of the way things turn out.”