When a small problem creates more unexpected work

by Angela Darar

Confession: I have a habit of turning small jobs into much bigger ones than they ever needed to be.

In our last house, it started with a stain on the wall in the kitchen. One of those marks you notice every time you walk past and think, I’ll sort that later. Eventually, we decided to deal with it. We tried cleaning it. That didn’t work. So we got some paint to touch it up. That looked worse. Suddenly we were standing there wondering if we needed to repaint the whole kitchen. We didn’t. Instead, that small stain somehow led to a full kitchen extension and an entirely new space! What started as a tiny issue became a major project.

Then, just several weeks ago over Christmas, we decided we needed a new mattress. A sensible, straightforward decision. We went mattress shopping. That turned into buying a new bed. Then we realised the bed didn’t really work with the colour scheme in the bedroom. Which led to redecorating. Then new curtains. Then conversations about changing the furniture. One small decision opened the door to a long list of extra work we hadn’t planned for.

It made me stop and think about how often this happens in business. A small issue gets noticed. Something feels slightly off. Instead of stepping back to think it through, we jump straight into action. We start fixing, tweaking, adjusting. Before long, we’ve created far more work for ourselves than the original problem ever required.

Often, it’s not the issue itself that causes the overwhelm. It’s the lack of clarity before we act. When leaders rush to solve something without fully understanding it, they can end up pulling at threads that unravel far more than expected. What might have needed a simple conversation, a clearer process, or a small decision turns into a bigger distraction that eats time, energy, and focus.

Sometimes the most useful thing to do is pause before you crack on. Ask what actually needs fixing. Ask what outcome you’re trying to achieve. Ask whether this really needs action now, or whether it needs a bit more thought first.

Not every stain needs a new kitchen. Not every worn mattress needs a full bedroom makeover. And not every business problem needs a big overhaul. A bit of space, perspective, and clarity can save you from creating work you never needed in the first place.