Finding Balance Between the Macro and the Mud

Building something great — whether it’s a company, a team, or even a side hustle — requires a unique kind of balance. It’s about managing the macro and the mud.

The mud is where we do the work — the day-to-day grind, the incremental improvements that push the company forward. It’s those small, often unglamorous tasks that, piece by piece, build something meaningful. You’ve got to thrive in the mud, roll up your sleeves, and keep moving forward — no matter your title or position.

But here’s the thing: you can’t stay stuck in the mud all the time. While it’s essential to push forward daily, if you’re constantly knee-deep in tasks without stepping back, you lose sight of the bigger picture. That’s where the macro comes in.

The macro is the long-term vision — where we’re headed a year from now, five years from now. It’s about strategy, growth, and direction. You have to give yourself permission to rise above the daily grind, to breathe and reflect, and to look out at the future. Dreaming too much is a problem, but so is losing sight of where you’re going because you’re too focused on the now.

The best leaders, the best teams, the best entrepreneurs — they vacillate between the macro and the mud with ease. They know when to be on the ground and when to be in the sky.

If you find yourself dreaming too much, it’s time to dig back into the work. If you’re buried in tasks every day without a moment to look ahead, it’s time to pull back and reflect. It’s a constant balance — about 70-80% of your time should be spent moving things forward, but you’ve got to make space to be strategic too.

Finding this balance means stepping back to ask:

• Am I too deep in the mud right now?
• Have I lost sight of the bigger picture?
• What’s my next strategic move?
• What does my business really need from me right now?

You’ve got to keep moving forward, but don’t forget to look up every once in a while. Balance the macro with the mud, and you’ll find your way through.