Have you ever learned a lesson in one area of life and realized it applies almost everywhere else?
Growing up playing sports taught me much more than how to hit a softball or turn a double play. It taught me how to communicate, adapt, build relationships, and navigate challenges: skills that I now use every day in my career.
Before we dive in, let me introduce myself! I'm Kate Murray, Communications & PR Specialist with ASB. I "fell into" the promotional products industry a little over two years ago and haven't looked back since. Alongside my love for branded merchandise and marketing, I've always been passionate about sports. I grew up playing multiple sports, fell in love with competition, and still spend much of my free time coaching, playing, and cheering on Minnesota sports teams (with optimism).
Here are five softball lessons that continue to show up in my work every day:
1. Fail Forward
If you've ever played or watched softball, you know failure comes with the territory. Even the best hitters in the game fail more often than they succeed. A player who gets a hit three out of ten times is considered successful. That perspective teaches you something powerful: failure isn't the end of the story.
In business, not every idea will resonate. Not every project will go exactly as planned. Sometimes a campaign underperforms, a post doesn't gain traction, or an event doesn't unfold the way you envisioned. The key is learning from those moments, adjusting, and moving forward. Softball taught me that setbacks aren't something to fear, they're opportunities to improve.
2. Find Your Community
No athlete succeeds alone. Behind every successful team is a group of people supporting, challenging, and encouraging one another. Teammates celebrate your wins, help you through tough losses, and push you to become better.
The same is true in the workplace.
I've been fortunate to work alongside people who are willing to share ideas, answer questions, offer feedback, and celebrate successes together. Having a strong network of colleagues, mentors, industry peers, and friends makes all the difference. Surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed and who aren't afraid to help you grow.
3. Every Role Matters
A softball team has nine players on the field, but success depends on far more than that. Some players are power hitters. Others excel defensively. Some lead vocally, while others lead through consistency and example. Every role contributes to the team's success.
The workplace is no different.
Not everyone has the same responsibilities, strengths, or visibility, but every role plays a part in achieving a larger goal. Marketing, sales, customer service, operations, finance, and leadership all contribute in different ways. One of the biggest lessons softball taught me is to appreciate how individual contributions come together to create team success.
4. Adapt Mid-Game
Rarely does a softball game go exactly according to plan. Maybe the opposing pitcher is on her A game. Maybe weather conditions shift. Maybe the original approach at the plate simply isn't working. The teams that succeed are often the ones that adjust the fastest.
Marketing requires that same mindset.
Trends change. Priorities shift. Deadlines move. New opportunities appear unexpectedly. Being able to adapt, stay flexible, and make quick decisions is often what separates good results from great ones. Sometimes the best move isn't sticking to the original plan, it's recognizing when it's time to pivot.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins
Championships aren't won in a single moment. They're built through hundreds of practices, small improvements, and everyday victories that add up over time.
Work is similar.
It's easy to focus only on major accomplishments, but progress is often found in the smaller moments: completing a project, solving a problem, building a relationship, learning a new skill, or crossing a task off your to-do list. Taking time to recognize progress along the way helps keep teams motivated and focused on the bigger picture.
Whether you're building a marketing campaign, managing a project, growing your career, or working toward a goal, there is value in thinking like an athlete: learn from failure, lean on your team, embrace your role, adapt when needed, and celebrate progress.
You never know where your next great professional lesson might come from. Mine just happened to start on a softball field.
Kate Murray is the Communications & Public Relations Specialist at American Solutions for Business, a 100% employee-owned distributor. Since entering the promotional products industry in 2024, she has found a passion for connecting people through storytelling and shared experiences. She is actively involved in UMAPP, serving on committees and helping launch the Young Professionals Committee. Kate thrives on the people-first nature of the industry and the relationships that fuel it. In her PromoJournal column, expect a sports-inspired perspective, where lessons from competition, teamwork, and the fan experience often intersect with marketing and business.