When Systems Fight Back
There comes a point, at work and at home, when systems that once kept life running smoothly suddenly feel like they’re sabotaging you. Tasks take longer, and simple changes feel hard. Basically, you’re duct-taping processes together and calling it “flexibility.” FYI…It’s not flexibility; it’s called friction. So here are our five clear signs your business has outgrown its systems (with a small nod to anyone running a household or working from home).
1. Your Business Runs on Memory Instead of Structure
If our daily routine only works because someone remembers, you don’t have a system; you have a liability. Strong systems create clarity and consistency. Weak ones live in people’s heads and disappear the moment they’re out sick, on vacation, or simply human.
2. Workarounds Are No Longer Temporary
Workarounds should be short-term fixes. When they become “how things are done,” your systems are already failing. If your team or family spends more time managing the process than doing the work, the system has outlived its usefulness.
3. Small Changes Cause Big Headaches
Adding a person, changing a step, or introducing a new offering shouldn’t feel like pulling the wrong Jenga block. When minor adjustments create major disruption, your systems aren’t built to scale.
4. You Keep Buying Tools to Fix Process Problems
Let’s be clear: No tool will fix a broken process. Software should support good systems and not attempt to replace them. More tools without structure just means more chaos (digital or otherwise).
5. Growth Feels Chaotic Instead of Intentional
We all know that growth is challenging, but it shouldn’t feel exhausting. When systems work, growth feels purposeful and organic. When they don’t, leaders get dragged into the weeds and progress becomes reactive instead of strategic.
The Takeaway
Please remember, outgrowing your systems isn’t a failure. Instead, it’s a sign of growth. Strong systems create breathing room, momentum, and focus, whether you’re scaling a company, managing a household, or doing both at once (this is where we tip our hat to the working parents out there).
So if your systems are fighting back, they’re telling you something, and it just might be time to listen.
