Swamp & Alligators: Why You Can’t Get to the Work That Really Matters

Are you busy?  

Of course, you are. We all are.

Most of us juggle a never-ending list of daily tasks - emails, meetings, reports, errands. And that’s before you have any issues or problems to deal with…Then there are bigger projects and long-term goals we wish we could work on, the kind that would make a real difference in our lives or businesses. Yet, somehow, those bigger projects keep getting pushed to “next week”, “next quarter” or “someday.”

Sound familiar? If so, you might have what I call a “Swamp & Alligator” problem.

What’s a Swamp & Alligator Problem?

Imagine your workday as a swamp. It’s messy, complicated, and full of hazards. The alligators? Those are your urgent, daily tasks snapping at you—calls to return, fires to put out, deadlines to meet. You’re so busy fighting off these alligators that you never have time to drain the swamp itself.

But here’s the catch:  

If you could just drain the swamp, the alligators would be gone.  

In other words, if you could tackle those big, foundational projects—streamlining processes, automating repetitive tasks, setting up better systems—your daily life would get easier. You’d have fewer alligators to fight.

Why Do We Stay Stuck?

It’s not that we don’t know what needs to be done. Most of us can point to at least one big improvement that would make everything easier. Maybe it’s finally organizing your digital files, automating your invoicing, or documenting your standard operating procedures.

But the alligators keep coming. Every day brings new urgencies, and the swamp never drains itself.

Breaking the Cycle

So, how do you escape the swamp and deal with the alligators once and for all?

1. Acknowledge the Problem

Recognize that busyness isn’t always productivity. If you’re always fighting alligators, you’re stuck in survival mode.

2. Block Time for Swamp-Draining

Schedule regular, non-negotiable time to work on long-term improvements. Even an hour a week can make a difference.

3. Delegate or Automate

Not every alligator needs your personal attention. Delegate what you can, and look for tasks that can be automated.

4. Get Help

Sometimes, the best way to drain the swamp is to bring in a specialist - someone with the experience and focus to tackle the big projects you never have time for. This could be an operations consultant, a process improvement expert, or even a virtual assistant.

The Payoff

Draining the swamp isn’t glamorous, and it doesn’t always feel urgent. But once it’s done, the alligators stop coming. You reclaim your time, reduce stress, and create space for your teams to do the work that truly matters.

So, ask yourself:  

Are you ready to stop fighting alligators and start draining the swamp?

If you have an improvement goal or project that’s been sitting on your ‘to do’ list for more than a quarter, maybe it’s time to get someone to help.

Reach out to a dedicated “swamp drainer.” 

Sometimes, the best investment you can make is in freeing yourself from the daily grind - so you can finally focus on what really moves you forward, working on your business rather than in it.

Want to stop fighting alligators? Let’s talk about how you can get started.