3 Battles Draining Auto Repair Shop Owners—and How to Overcome Them

Hey there, friend. As an auto repair shop owner, you know that running a successful business comes with its fair share of challenges. But have you ever stopped to think about the battles you’re fighting every day? Some battles are worth it—but others? They just drain your energy, leaving you exhausted and frustrated.

I came across a quote recently: “The battles you can't win drain your energy.” And wow, did that hit home. How many times have I fought a battle I knew I couldn’t win? How often have I poured my energy into something that wasn’t going to change no matter how hard I pushed? If you’re anything like me, the answer is probably “too many.”

So let’s talk about it. Where are we wasting our energy? I see three main places where auto repair shop owners tend to fight losing battles.

1. Battling Situations and Circumstances

Running an auto repair shop means dealing with unexpected challenges. There are customer cancellations, fluctuating part costs, supply chain delays, and economic shifts. And yet, we often fight against these things, resisting them as if our frustration could somehow change reality.

The truth? It doesn’t. Fighting the uncontrollable doesn’t fix anything; it just leaves us feeling drained and powerless.

The better approach? Accept and adapt. Instead of shaking my fist at something I can’t change, I ask myself: What can I do? Maybe I can adjust my pricing, find a new supplier, or improve customer communication. The moment I stop resisting reality and start working with it, I get my energy back and my auto repair shop runs more efficiently.

2. Battling Other People

Here’s a hard truth I’ve had to learn: I can’t make people do what I want them to do. Whether it’s employees, customers, or vendors, trying to force others into my expectations only leads to frustration.

Instead of trying to control people, I focus on influencing them. In my auto repair shop, that means leading by example, fostering a positive work environment, and setting clear expectations. I invite, encourage, and inspire. But at the end of the day, they get to make their own choices, just like I do.

This shift in mindset has saved me so much energy. Instead of getting frustrated when an employee isn’t meeting expectations, I step back and remind myself: They get a vote, too. Maybe they need better training, clearer communication, or a different role in the auto repair shop to thrive.

3. Battling Myself

This one might be the hardest. Auto repair shop owners wear many hats—manager, technician, marketer, customer service rep, and more. I’ve spent years battling my own limits—trying to be everything to everyone, taking on more than I should, saying yes when I needed to say no.

Sound familiar?

I used to think saying no meant letting people down. But I’ve learned that setting boundaries isn’t rejection—it’s self-respect. Instead of overcommitting and burning myself out, I try to offer a compromise: “I can’t do that today, but I can tomorrow. Will that work?” It’s a small shift, but it’s made a huge difference in how I manage my time and energy.

If you’re feeling drained by battles you can’t win, ask yourself these three simple but powerful questions:

1. What do I have 100% control over?
• The answer is usually me. My thoughts, my actions, my attitude, my focus. That’s where my power lies.
2. What can I influence?
• Influence starts with example. When I control my own mindset and behaviors, I naturally influence my team and customers.
3. What do I have no control over?
• This is where I need to let go. If I can’t change it or influence it, holding onto it is just wasting my energy.

Wherever my focus goes, my energy follows. If I focus on what’s draining me, I stay stuck. If I focus on solutions, opportunities, and what I can control, my auto repair shop thrives.

Final Thoughts

So, let’s take a step back and look at the battles we’re fighting. Are they worth it? Or are they just wearing us down? If they’re draining us, maybe it’s time to change our approach.

And if you’re looking for more insight and support, I’d love for you to join us for the Shop Owners Round Table, happening the second Thursday of every month at 7PM Eastern. Or check out our Pocket Business Genius Webinar Series—second Thursday at 1PM Eastern. With 80+ recorded webinars, you’ll always have something valuable at your fingertips to help grow your auto repair shop.

That’s it for today. Go out there, have fun, and make some money. Talk soon!