For years, I’ve grappled with a concept that I didn’t quite understand until recently—what many refer to as “ADHD Shutdown.” Now, I don’t have ADHD, at least not to my knowledge, and I’ve never been diagnosed. But about a decade ago, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Ned Hallowell, the leading expert on ADHD, speak in person. He said something that stuck with me ever since: not everyone who thinks they have ADHD actually has it. In many cases, it’s simply “a severe case of modern life.” When he described this condition, it felt like he was speaking directly to me. I wasn’t dealing with a clinical issue, but with the overwhelming effects of modern, fast-paced living.
As an entrepreneur and business owner, I thrive on solving problems. There’s a certain high that comes from being able to fix things—whether they’re technical challenges or business obstacles—and it’s intoxicating. I’m a master technologist by trade, and solving problems gives me deep satisfaction. But there’s a danger in staying in that mindset permanently. It can become an addiction, a need to constantly be the one to step in and save the day. The issue is, if I stay in that mode for too long, I lose sight of the bigger picture. I risk everything—my business, my relationships, and even my health—because I’m trapped in a cycle of constant firefighting.
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.” – Proverbs 14:12
Dr. Hallowell’s words forced me to take a step back. I realized that the stress and overwhelm I was feeling weren’t necessarily symptoms of ADHD, but rather the result of a modern, chaotic world. So I made some critical changes. One of the first things I did was turn off audible alerts on my devices. I began minimizing the visual and auditory stimuli that triggered that “fight or flight” response in me. It was a small but profound change. The constant barrage of notifications, messages, and tasks was creating an environment where I was always reacting and never reflecting.
This hyper-reactive state is something I see often among my peers in the technology industry. We’re wired to solve problems quickly, to be the “fixers.” But that mentality, while it may serve us in the short term, doesn’t allow us to grow. Over the years, I’ve come to the realization that I don’t want to get my highs from constantly putting out fires. Instead, I’ve made a conscious decision to step back and let others shine. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy solving problems anymore, but I’ve tempered it. I get my joy from seeing others solve those problems, from empowering my team to take ownership and make decisions.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
This is where many technology professionals, especially those in leadership roles, go wrong. They never stop to think about how they will continue to derive satisfaction as they get older and inevitably lose some of that “sharpness.” You can’t always be the smartest person in the room, and you certainly can’t keep firefighting forever. There has to be a transition—a shift from doing the work yourself to building the systems and people around you who can do it. This is something I’ve wrestled with as I’ve grown my business and implemented strategies to scale it. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary.
The real challenge, I’ve found, is not just in letting go but in changing the mindset of my best engineers. They’ve embraced this firefighting mentality as part of their identity. They thrive on it, just as I once did. But at the same time, they want work-life balance. They want to go home at a reasonable hour, spend time with their families, and not be glued to their phones 24/7. The reality is, they can’t have it both ways. You can’t maintain a firefighting mentality and expect balance. Something has to give.
The answer lies in processes and systems. There was a time when I didn’t believe that. I thought processes were too rigid, too bureaucratic, and that they would kill the creative, problem-solving spirit that makes us good at what we do. But I was wrong. What I’ve learned is that processes don’t stifle creativity—they create the space for it. By having clear systems in place, we can delegate effectively, trust our team, and step back from the day-to-day chaos. This gives us the freedom to focus on bigger, more strategic goals.
“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40
This shift in mindset isn’t just about making more money—at least, not immediately. It’s about building something sustainable. It’s about creating an environment where people can thrive without constantly feeling like they’re on the edge of burnout. Bigger things don’t always mean bigger paychecks right away, but they do mean long-term success and satisfaction. And for that, we have to invest in building the right people, processes, and systems around us.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that, as a business owner, I can’t always be the hero. I can’t always be the one to swoop in and save the day. That kind of leadership is unsustainable. True leadership is about empowering others to solve problems, to take initiative, and to grow into leaders themselves. It’s about giving people the tools and trust they need to succeed without constant oversight.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3
For business owners, the temptation to stay in firefighting mode is strong. It’s easy to get a quick fix from solving a problem or closing a deal. But if we want to accomplish bigger things, we have to get out of that mentality. We have to step back and look at the big picture. We have to trust the systems and people we’ve put in place, even when it’s uncomfortable.
This transition takes time. It requires investment in people and processes, and it requires patience. We won’t see the benefits right away, but over time, it creates the margin we all desperately need. Margin to think, to strategize, and to live a balanced life. Ultimately, this is how we find freedom—not by doing everything ourselves, but by trusting the process and the people around us.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
So, if you’re like me and you’ve felt the pull of constant problem-solving, I encourage you to step back. Evaluate where you’re getting your satisfaction. Are you addicted to the firefighting mentality? If so, it’s time to make a change. Invest in your team. Build the systems that will allow you to step away. And most importantly, trust that bigger things are waiting for you on the other side.