“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” - Epictetus

Rationally speaking, we should all know this.
However, few actually live it.
This is especially true in business. 

Being in business will test you.
Losing clients, missing opportunities, unexpected pivots, deals that almost close and then don’t.
At first, it feels like bad luck, but if it persists, it can feel personal.
But over time, you learn that you can’t control the storm, only how you navigate through it.

When I was younger, I reacted fast. 
I’d take things personally, defend ideas too quickly, or push harder when I should’ve paused. 

Now, I’ve learned that reacting emotionally rarely fixes anything. It just clouds your judgment.

In the 4th Quarter, composure becomes your competitive advantage. 
Experience gives you pattern recognition. 
You’ve seen enough to know that most problems aren’t permanent, and most wins aren’t final.

The real power?
The pause.

It’s in the space between what happens and what you do next that leadership is built. 
That’s where clients, teammates, and partners decide if they trust you. 
That’s where your team takes their cues.

You can’t always choose your circumstances. 
But you can always choose your response.

So the next time something falls apart, don’t rush to react. 
Step back. Observe. Adjust.

That’s not weakness. 
It’s mastery.

In the 4th Quarter, the most powerful voice in the room isn’t the one that shouts loudest.
It’s the one who stays calm when the game gets tough.

Let’s play to win.