Off the Rails in Business: Reclaim Your Time and Sanity

In this episode of Building Better Developers, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore what it means to go off the rails in business—and how to get back on track. From chaotic workloads to scattered thinking, they break down the signs, the causes, and the concrete steps to help you regain control and clarity.

💡 Quick Insight:

Even your best efforts can feel like spinning wheels when your business is off track. The key is not to do more—it’s to refocus.

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What Does It Mean to Be Off the Rails in Business?

The phrase “off the rails in business” describes a common but serious problem: you’re working harder, but falling further behind. Maybe your to-do list never ends, deadlines slip, and your downtime feels exhausting. As Rob describes, it’s like switching website themes and ending up in a rabbit hole of distractions and rework.

Michael shares his moment of derailment—a single ticket turned time sink—which echoes what many developers and business owners experience. One task hijacks your attention and throws everything else out of balance.

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Why Multitasking Pushes You Off the Rails in Business

A major contributor to chaos? Multitasking.

Michael debunks the multitasking myth: “If you’re juggling two complex problems, you’re not being productive—you’re just dividing your brainpower.” Context-switching slows you down and increases stress. Instead of progress, you get fatigue and frustration.

🧠 Callout:

Proper focus means doing one thing at a time. You’re faster, sharper, and more likely to finish well.

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Warning Signs You’re Off the Rails in Business

Rob explains how overwhelm sneaks in. It might start with 40 hours a week and creep up until you’re doing 80—without even noticing. Suddenly, tasks pile up faster than you can finish, and you end up playing catch-up 24/7.

Michael adds that sleep and downtime become less restorative. Even off the clock, your brain replays task lists or stress dreams. That’s a clear signal you’ve gone off the rails in business.

Look out for:

• Long hours with diminishing returns
• Frustration when trying to prioritize
• No mental separation between work and rest
• A lack of meaningful task completion

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Simple Ways to Reset When You’re Off the Rails in Business

This episode isn’t just about recognizing the chaos but fixing it.

✅ Start with a Simple List

Michael emphasizes returning to basics: create a short, actionable to-do list. Rob recommends the “eat the frog” technique—do the most challenging task first, then build momentum.

✅ Cut Inputs and Distractions

Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and silence nonessential communications. Michael even suggests shrinking your screen: fewer distractions = more done.

✅ Limit Your Workspace

Work in a smaller, quieter space. Avoid mixing leisure with labor. If you game or relax in the same space you code, your brain won’t reset.

✅ Accept You Can’t Do It All

Rob offers a hard truth: sometimes you must take the loss. Focus on finishing the most important thing. Trying to do everything means finishing nothing.

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Final Thoughts: Reset, Don’t Burn Out

When you’re off the rails in business, doing more won’t solve it. Instead, stop. Focus. Simplify. Get a small win and build momentum from there.

📝 Challenge of the Week:

Every morning, take 2 minutes to assess your mental state. How do you feel? What one thing must get done today? Write it down—and do only that.

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📩 Keep Building Better

Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Have feedback or questions? Reach out at [email protected]—the team would love to hear from you!

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Additional Resources

• Stop Chasing Your Tail: How To Reset Your Progress Without Panicking
• A Solid Restart – Stop, Plan, Reset, Go
• PTO Taking Breaks: Why You Need More Than a Long Weekend
• Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content