Breaking the Addiction to Chaos: Why Struggling to Grow Your Company May Be Self-Sabotage

I know this one hurts. I also know that when I became aware of my addiction to the chaos, it made so much sense. What would I do if I was not putting out fires and running from one emergency to the next? Of what use would I be to the business if everyone had their roles and responsibilities and I just had to let the machine run itself? You may be surprised to learn that the thing you say you hate the most (the chaos of the daily grind) is actually serving a purpose and without it, you don't know who you are, what you would do or what the point of you would even be in your business...

I think this is way more prevalent than we realize and even more so in the construction industry. Let's be honest, the construction industry is one that thrives in chaos, it's what our best days look like. Do it for long enough and it becomes an addiction. And when you're not running in chaos, you'll find yourself making up problems just to feel "normal". 

Resonate with any of this? I understand, I get it, it was me too for way too many years. What about you? Have you become addicted to the chaos?

It’s a hard question, and one worth asking. Success in business demands a level of stability and focus that chaos prevents. And yet, some leaders find themselves stuck in survival mode, struggling to scale, not because they lack skill or vision, but because they don’t know how to operate without chaos.

Are You Addicted to Chaos?

Here are some signs you might be unintentionally feeding the chaos:

1. You’re always busy and never moving forward. Your days are packed, yet the to-do list never shrinks. You’re putting out fires and making little progress on the big-picture goals.

2. You thrive under pressure, too much. You feel most alive when your back is against the wall. Deadlines drive you, however, when things calm down, you feel unproductive or even bored or lost.

3. You resist systems and delegation. You know creating processes or delegating to your team would help, however something holds you back. You might even convince yourself that no one else can do it as well as you.

4. You sabotage stability. When things start to smooth out, you find ways to complicate them. Maybe you take on too many projects or micromanage tasks that don’t need your attention.

5. You define success as surviving the day. At the end of each day, you feel accomplished simply because the wheels didn’t fall off. Growth feels like an afterthought.

Why We Get Addicted to Chaos

Living in survival mode for years rewires your brain. The adrenaline rush from handling constant crises can feel oddly rewarding. But this addiction comes at a cost. It keeps you reactive instead of proactive, sabotages your company’s growth, and leaves you exhausted and unfulfilled, constantly spinning your wheels.

For some, chaos provides a sense of control, ironically, by staying in survival mode, you avoid the discomfort of change and growth. Scaling your company requires stepping into unknown territory, which is scarier than the familiar chaos you’ve mastered.

Breaking the Cycle

1. Acknowledge the addiction. The first step is recognizing the pattern. Reflect on your behaviours and ask yourself hard questions: Are you resisting growth? Are you creating unnecessary problems? Are you afraid of what calm and control might feel like?

2. Reimagine your role. As a leader, your job is not to solve every problem, rather to create the vision and systems for your team to succeed. Shift your focus from being a firefighter to being a builder.

3. Invest in systems and processes. Chaos thrives in a lack of structure. Work on building clear, repeatable processes. Automate where possible and prioritize creating a company that can run without you handling every detail.

4. Learn to delegate. Trust your team. Yes, they’ll make mistakes, and they’ll also learn and grow. Delegation is not just about lightening your load; it’s about empowering others to take ownership.

5. Slow down to speed up. It might feel counterintuitive, however, stepping back to strategize and plan is often the fastest way to grow. Make time to work on your business, every day if possible, not just in it.

6. Redefine success. Instead of measuring your worth by how many fires you put out, focus on meaningful growth: profitability, employee engagement, and client satisfaction.

7. Get support. A coach, mentor, or peer group can help you break the chaos cycle and hold you accountable to your goals. Sometimes, an outside perspective is exactly what’s needed to see what’s holding you back.

The Freedom on the Other Side

Breaking free from the addiction to chaos will take intention and effort, however it's worth it when you recognize the potential of you and your company, on the other side. Imagine a company where systems run smoothly, your people are running the systems and you have the bandwidth to focus on growth, innovation, and building a legacy.

Your company, and your life, will thrive when you stop being addicted to chaos and start building for stability and success. The question is: Will you continue to just survive, or will you choose to thrive?

If you recognize your addiction to the chaos and could use the help getting out, reach out, I'm here to help.