In any well-designed plumbing system, waste and overflow protection ensures that things stay clean, functional, and damage-free. Without these safeguards, minor issues could quickly spiral into major disasters. In both business and our personal life, we need a similar system in place to protect our growth, relationships, and overall success from the inevitable “overflows” and waste that come with life’s pressures. 

The Importance of Waste and Overflow Systems in Business and Life: A plumbing waste and overflow system is designed to handle two key functions: removing waste efficiently and preventing overflow from damaging the structure. Without it, water damage could compromise the foundation of any building. Similarly, in life and business, waste can build up—whether in the form of inefficient processes, poor communication, or unproductive relationships. If not addressed, these inefficiencies can harm the foundation of your team, your vision, or even your personal well-being. 

So, how can we ensure that things are flowing properly without damaging the “structure” of our personal or professional lives? 

Keep Things Clean and Flowing—Without Damage: One of the key questions to ask yourself is: How do we keep things clean and flowing without causing damage to our team or structure? When things aren’t managed properly, growth—whether faster or slower than anticipated—can lead to chaos. Too much growth too quickly without proper systems leads to being overwhelmed. Too little, and you’re left with stagnation, wasting time and resources.

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

– King Solomon 

Managing these fluctuations requires regular assessment. Are we growing at the right pace? Are our systems, both in life and in business, equipped to handle the load? Just as a plumbing system is built to anticipate the worst-case scenario of overflow, we, too, must be prepared to handle growth that is either faster or slower than expected. If not, inefficiencies—or waste—creep in. 

How to Prevent Waste and Manage Overflow 

Set clear priorities: Waste happens when we spend time on things that don’t align with our long-term objectives. Assessing where we spend too much money or where we need to be more productive is critical. Is every part of your day or business contributing to growth, or are you wasting energy on things that don’t move the needle? 

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

– Moses 

Eliminate the negative: Just as you need to clean a plumbing system to prevent clogs, in life, you need to eliminate negative influences regularly. This could be toxic relationships or ineffective processes in your business. Think about the people or habits that are causing damage to your flow. How can you remove or address them? 

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

– Paul The Apostle 

Handle success wisely: When everything is going well, and there’s an overflow of success, it’s tempting to coast on the momentum. But uncontrolled overflow can damage the very structure you’ve worked hard to build. Stay focused on your mission and vision, even when things are going smoothly. Success is not just about the overflow—it’s about managing it wisely and ensuring it’s sustainable. 

Do You Have a Written Mission, Vision, and Values? If you don’t already have a stated mission, vision, and values for your life or business, this is the time to establish them. These are your “blueprints,” guiding where your energy should flow and where waste needs to be eliminated. Without them, it’s easy to get sidetracked by temporary success or bogged down by inefficiency. 

The Waste and Overflow Challenge: In closing, I challenge you to think about your waste and overflow systems—both personally and professionally. Are there areas where things have built up, causing you or your team to slow down? Are you clear about your mission and vision so that when overflow happens, you’re equipped to handle it? Regularly assess your structure, eliminate what isn’t working for you, and focus on what keeps things flowing smoothly. In doing so, you’ll protect your foundation, ensure long-term growth, and achieve the success you’re aiming for. 

It’s time to clean out the waste and stay prepared for the overflow! 

Jerry

Business Leadership