When to Fix—and When to Pause
Continuous improvement doesn’t mean constant change.
I’m a big believer in analyzing, improving, and streamlining systems. But I’m also a believer in pausing—especially when it comes to business.
Sometimes the best decision you can make isn’t to act fast, but to sit still long enough to see what’s really happening.
When sales dip or things slow down, it’s easy to assume something is wrong. That was my first instinct when one of my businesses experienced a sudden slowdown.
My mind immediately went to:
“Are our products slipping?”
“Do we need to update the menu?”
“Should we launch something new?”
But before reacting, I took a closer look. Our customer feedback was still positive, and when I spoke with other local business owners, many were experiencing the same thing.
That’s when it hit me:
If I had jumped into “fix-it” mode too quickly, I could have spent time and money solving a problem that didn’t even exist.
When reacting too fast costs you more
Had I made big changes, it might have:
Confused loyal customers who already loved what we offered
Cost unnecessary money during a seasonal slowdown
Added complexity to operations when simplicity was working
Sometimes, what looks like a business problem is just a temporary shift or external factor that needs to pass.
Stay grounded in your mission
If you have a defined mission statement and client avatar, lean on them during uncertain times. They’re your compass.
Changing your offer or direction just to chase a short-term uptick can pull you away from the very people who love your brand.
That doesn’t mean you should ignore change—it just means you should analyze before you act.
Pause productively
When things slow down, it’s actually a great time to look inward.
Use the downtime to:
Document your SOPs
Streamline existing processes
Identify tasks or habits that no longer serve you
Spot small, low-cost improvements that have a big impact
Sometimes the best “fix” isn’t a major overhaul—it’s a subtle improvement that strengthens your foundation.
What I Learned from Mike Michalowicz’s Fix This Next
In his book Fix This Next, Mike Michalowicz explains how business owners often make the mistake of fixing the most obvious problem, not the most important one.
He introduces the Business Hierarchy of Needs, a framework that helps you pinpoint what really needs attention—whether it’s sales, profit, systems, impact, or legacy.
The biggest takeaway?
Don’t act on emotion. Use data, structure, and purpose to decide what truly matters right now.
Because fixing the wrong thing can feel productive, but it often keeps you stuck in the same cycle.
That message completely changed how I view “slow seasons.”
Now, instead of scrambling for quick fixes, I pause to ask the right questions, use the downtime to organize what’s already working, and prepare for the next wave of growth.
5 Questions to Ask Before Making a Change
Has this issue been consistent or just seasonal?
Do I have real data (not just emotion) showing there’s a problem?
Have my customer reviews or feedback actually changed?
Am I considering this change because of fear or facts?
Will this change serve my long-term mission—or distract from it?
If you still feel unsure, pause. Watch. Learn.
And remember: staying lean and steady through a season can be just as powerful as moving fast.
Because not everything that slows down is broken.
And sometimes, the smartest move is to fix nothing at all.
If your business is in a slow season, don’t rush to overhaul it—refine it.
Use this time to document your processes, tighten your systems, and uncover quiet inefficiencies that cost you time and profit.
That’s where real improvement starts—inside your operations, not just your marketing.
If you’d like help identifying what to fix (and what to leave alone), let’s talk.
📩 Book a strategy session with me or explore how SOPs and process documentation can help you stay lean, efficient, and ready for growth.
Tired of answering the same questions over and over?
My free Stop the Chaos template will help you capture one process and give your team the clarity they need.
