Andiamo Blog: Their Fire Drill Doesn’t Need to Be Your Emergency

Andiamo Business Assistance Blog: Their fire drill doesn't have to be your emergency

There’s a quote that, as a former project manager, made me laugh out loud the first time I saw it:

"Project management is like riding a bike… if the bike is on fire… and you are on fire… and you are in hell."

It hit a little too close to home.

But honestly, it wasn’t the project management part that felt like fire. It was the people. The deadlines. The last-minute changes. The “can you just…” emails that somehow carried a tone of urgency even when they didn’t need to.

Recently, I saw something brilliant from the amazing Danielle Bateman that put this chaos into perspective:

“Their fire drill doesn’t need to become your emergency.”

Read that again. Maybe write it on a Post-it. Tattoo it on your soul if you have to.

Because when you run a business, everything can feel like it’s yours to fix. Everything is your responsibility. You’re the head of operations, customer service, finance, marketing, admin, and—if you’re lucky—tea-making. So when someone comes running in with their urgent need, it’s easy to drop everything and take it on.

But here’s the thing: that’s a fast track to burnout. And it stops you from doing the stuff that actually moves the needle in your business.

Being responsive is great—but being intentional is better.

Sometimes, you have to pause and ask:

• Does this need my attention right now?

• Is this actually urgent, or is it just loud?

• What’s my priority today?

Because the truth is, not every fire is yours to fight. And not every person who’s panicking needs you to drop your to-do list for theirs.

So here’s your gentle reminder (from someone who learned it the hard way): Protect your focus. Set your own pace. Let their fire drills stay theirs.

You’ll still be supportive. You’ll still care.

You’ll just stop being the one constantly on fire. 🔥

Andiamo!