Rolling with the Punches: How to Win, Even When the Wi-Fi Won’t

It was a typical Friday for many small business owners—until it wasn’t. 

Running a business from home offers perks like flexibility and comfort, but it also comes with challenges, as experienced when an unexpected Wi-Fi outage hit. 

For Jared Harding, Tewdilly’s founder and CEO, it was one of those days. After hours spent navigating customer service, chatting online, and waiting for a technician, he discovered that his internet provider no longer serviced the area—far from the ideal outcome.

Even more frustrating? No one had communicated this beforehand. And the new installation date? A full ten days away.

For any business owner, especially those working from home, this kind of disruption can feel like a nightmare. With work dependent on connectivity, it’s the type of curveball no one sees coming.  

Yet, it wasn’t about avoiding the challenge—it was about embracing it. This setback became an opportunity to adapt, evolve, and push forward, proving that even in the face of obstacles, there’s always a way to emerge stronger.

The Unexpected Will Happen—How Do You Respond?

When challenges arise, it’s not the obstacle itself but your mindset that determines the outcome. 

Whether it’s a small business owner dealing with tech issues or a corporate executive navigating last-minute changes, the question isn’t if setbacks will happen, but how you respond to them. For Jared, the Wi-Fi outage could have been a frustrating roadblock. Instead, he asked himself a critical question: How can I make the most of this? This mindset shift allowed him to focus on tasks that didn’t require internet access, keeping his momentum going. 

The lesson is clear: it’s not about avoiding obstacles but shifting your mindset to see how you can keep moving forward, no matter the circumstances.

Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

Sometimes the very setbacks we dread can lead to the greatest opportunities. Jared’s Wi-Fi issue forced him to pause and focus on areas of his business he might have otherwise overlooked—strategic planning, content creation, and deeper reflection. 

Often, moments of disruption present the chance to realign priorities and think strategically. Maybe it’s not a Wi-Fi outage but a supply chain delay, a staffing shortage, or even an unexpected market shift. 

The key is to pivot. When things don’t go according to plan, see the disruption as an opportunity to innovate, rethink your approach, and use the time to focus on what you can control.

Why It’s Not About the Wi-Fi—It’s About Your Mindset

The real lesson here isn’t about technology failing; it’s about resilience. 

In business, it’s not about everything going perfectly according to plan—it’s about what you do when things fall apart. Jared’s situation wasn’t just about losing internet; it was about finding a way forward despite the challenge. 

Obstacles don't need to be perceived as roadblocks, but as opportunities for growth. 

Whether it’s a failed system, a last-minute client issue, or a sudden market shift, the ability to stay resilient, adapt, and push forward is what defines long-term success. 

Even when the unexpected happens, resilience ensures you’ll find a way to keep winning.

Turning Setbacks Into Opportunities: A Playbook for Your Business

1. Shift Focus to What You Can Control: Just because one area of your business is disrupted doesn’t mean progress stops. Focus on what you can do, like catching up on admin work, strategic planning, or recharging for the next move.

2. Prioritize Energy and Resources: When resources are limited (like Wi-Fi), focus on high-impact tasks that move the needle. For Jared, limited connectivity meant prioritizing mission-critical work first.

3. Embrace the Pause: Unexpected breaks can be a chance to reset. Use the downtime to reevaluate strategies, brainstorm new ideas, and check in on long-term goals.

4. Stay Open to New Solutions: Disruptions can spark creative problem-solving. When routines are upended, it’s a chance to refocus your priorities. For Jared, this meant reassessing his tasks and using available resources to tackle high-priority work. What new approaches or solutions can help you stay productive in the face of challenges?

5. Reframe Challenges as Opportunities: Every challenge is an opportunity to pivot and innovate. Instead of seeing setbacks as barriers, view them as moments to rethink and evolve.​

The Power of Adaptation

Jared’s experience is a reminder to business owners and leaders that when life throws a curveball, the real challenge isn’t the obstacle—it’s how you adapt. Growth happens in the moments when you decide to evolve rather than resist. The disruptions you face—whether tech-related or not—don’t define your success. Your response does. Adaptation is the key to progress, turning setbacks into stepping stones toward bigger wins.

So, when faced with an unexpected challenge, pause and ask, How can I use this? What seems like an obstacle might just be the spark for your next big success.

Embrace the Unexpected

Running a business is full of unpredictability. Setbacks will happen, but the secret to thriving lies in your ability to stay flexible and roll with whatever comes your way. Every disruption is an opportunity in disguise—forcing you to think differently, adjust your approach, and ultimately become better at what you do.

Remember, unexpected obstacles aren’t roadblocks—they’re invitations to grow, adapt, and succeed in ways you never imagined.