Why You Shouldn’t Wait for a Big Project to Make Change — Small Fixes Create Momentum
Let’s be honest — we all love a big project.
The kickoff meetings, the roadmaps, the slide decks, the buzz of “transformation.”
But here’s the truth most leaders won’t say out loud:
Big projects often fail because everyone’s waiting for someone else to start fixing the small stuff.
And yet, it’s the small fixes — the micro-improvements, the quick wins — that actually create momentum, buy-in, and measurable progress.
🔧 The Myth of the Big Project
This is a powerful fix to a big problem.
Often, we believe that to make a big bang, we need to launch a big project.
But the reality? Big projects are costly. They take time, energy, and endless layers of buy-in before you even get to start.
Micro-fixes? They don’t require nearly the same structure.
They’re agile, practical, and achievable.
Actually — and this might surprise you — I learned this lesson not from consulting, but from home.
🧠 What My ADHD Household Taught Me About Micro-Steps
In our household, executive function skills are always being put to the test — doing homework, finishing chores, tackling big assignments.
To my son, these things can feel like big projects.
Overwhelming. Frustrating. Sometimes impossible.
So, we started focusing on micro-steps.
Instead of saying “Do your homework,” we break it down:
- Open your laptop.
- Log in to the class.
- Read the first question.
- Write the first sentence.
And something amazing happens.
The work gets done — faster, calmer, better.
Why?
Because breaking the task down removes the pressure of the “big picture” and replaces it with small, achievable actions.
Work projects feel the same way.
When you try to “push through” a big project, you get overwhelmed, stuck, and eventually burned out.
But when you take that same project and break it into micro-fixes, the elephant suddenly feels manageable.
One bite at a time.
One improvement at a time.
That’s how real change happens — both at home and at work.
⚙️ The Power of Micro-Fixes
A micro-fix is a small, actionable change you can make right now — without waiting for a budget, approval, or rollout.
It’s tightening one control.
Adding one validation rule in CargoWise.
Creating one cleaner report.
Or rewriting one confusing SOP that’s caused months of misunderstanding.
Small fixes compound.
One becomes two, and suddenly, the process runs smoother.
The team sees progress.
And that small spark builds the confidence to tackle bigger challenges.
💡 Examples of Micro-Fixes That Matter
Here are some micro-fixes I’ve helped clients make that paid off fast:
- 🧾 Added a required Tax ID field in CargoWise vendor setup — duplicate vendors dropped by 90%.
- 📊 Created a “Missing Cost” report that automatically flags unbilled shipments — revenue leakage disappeared.
- 🧠 Simplified the approval workflow using RAFT automation — cutting invoice turnaround time from 12 days to 3.
- 📋 Standardized event codes so operations and finance stopped arguing over status definitions.
None of these were big projects.
They were quick, focused, and achievable in a single week.
But collectively? They saved time, reduced frustration, and built momentum for larger system improvements.
🚀 Momentum Creates Culture
Here’s the magic of micro-fixes: once your team experiences a few small wins, they start looking for more.
They stop waiting for someone else to improve things.
They take ownership.
And suddenly, process improvement isn’t a project — it’s a habit.
That’s when you know you’ve built a continuous improvement culture.
Because sustainable change doesn’t come from one big overhaul.
It comes from dozens of small fixes done consistently over time.
⚠️ The Warning
Micro-fixes aren’t about random tinkering.
They still need direction.
Before you start making small changes, align on purpose — what are we trying to achieve?
Cleaner data? Faster approvals? Fewer manual steps?
Then measure the impact.
Every micro-fix should have a before-and-after you can show your team.
It’s not about being busy — it’s about being better, one small step at a time.
☕ Final Thought
In logistics, finance, and operations, speed matters.
Waiting for the “big project” often means watching opportunities slip away while you plan for perfection.
Start small.
Fix what’s in front of you.
And let momentum carry you forward.
Because one well-placed micro-fix today can save you a full-blown project tomorrow.
If your systems or workflows need that kind of focused clean-up, I can help.
📅 Book a 20-Minute Fix It Coffee Chat or download one of my free efficiency tools at
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Small fixes. Big results. ✨
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