Change is the one thing you can count on.

Change isn't always easy. Change just is. It will usually happen whether we want it to or not. The key to change is to try to make the change ourselves. This way we get to dictate how the change will affect us. It puts us in the drivers seat.
Okay but what if the change is forced upon us? Yep, good question. There will be times when the environment around you necessitates change. Nothing we can do about it except decide how we will facilitate the change. Make it positive and move on.

Most of the anxiety of change comes from the anticipation leading up to the it. The truth is that the change itself is usually much less difficult than our imaginations lead us to believe.

The old adage is to embrace change. I know, I know you don't really feel like giving change a big warm hug. That's okay. Just start by putting your arm around it and getting to know the change. In time it will grow on you. As the change occurs you may begin to see benefits that were unknown to you.

Something to think about while changes occur is what if they didn't? If things stayed the same where would you be right now? If you are in a good place would you have gotten there without change? If you are in a bad place would you prefer to stay there or are you hoping things will change for the better?

Firing is Tiring: A softies tale.

There was a time when I adhered to an extremely strict guideline when it came to firing. Don't! I foolishly believed that even the worst employee could be charmed into a picture of efficiency and motivation. Alas this is not to be. People can change, will change, have changed but usually only because they have decided it is time. That's not to say we can't make a difference. Be positive, train, train, train, be flexible and be yourself.
That being said.
If you have several employees that are great, but one or two that are dragging behind, it may be best to cut the stragglers loose sooner than later.

Here's why: The sum of your good employees will be canceled out by just a couple of strokes from the bad employee. One bad shift, bad customer experience, bad kiln load will easily dismantle days of good work from the rest of your staff. Setting you and your studio back ages. Your team will begin to work against each other. This can cause chaos and you may lose your good staff because of your bad staff.
In fact your good staff may begin to resent you, yes you. Your noodley backbone will be seen as unappreciative. Meaning you let one staff member get away with hell and your others will feel unappreciated because they get paid the same to do twice the work.

In the end your best play may be to start the paper trail. Make that employee aware that they are on notice. If things don't change, politely let them sail away. You will feel tensions ease and spirits lift. Firing is never an enjoyable task but if done with prudence, it can make all the difference to you, your studio and your staff.

Difficult times demand difficult measures

The situation is desperate. Possibly the hardest thing you have ever dealt with and your mind is swimming with thoughts of doom and despair. Fear not! You are quite capable of dealing with every situation.

Here are some tips.

Remove yourself, if possible, for at least a day. Regardless of the issue, emotion will make you react. Though we want to act quickly we must weed out the bad ideas. Smacking someone with a dead fish would be an example of a bad idea that may occur to you in stressful times.
Keep your eye on the goal. What is the goal? Success! Ask yourself if this situation is one that is helping your cause or detracting from it. Then act accordingly.
Que sera sera. Every situation has a beginning, a middle and an end. Whatever will be, WILL be. The outcome of most situations is way less disastrous than we imagine it will be.
Stay Positive. It is so easy to drop into our Eyeore facade and drag our feet around pulling everyone around us down too. Don't bother with this attitude. It is important to stay positive and keep your head high. Why you ask? If no other reason than...
Why not?

Most of the problems and challenges you face are temporary and will pass. They are not world ending issues. The sun will rise again. If it doesn't don't call me. I am going to take advantage of the extra hours of darkness and try to get a little shut eye.