Stop Solving the Same Problems: (It’s Costing Your Shop)

Most shop owners pride themselves on being great problem-solvers. And in many ways, they are. When things go sideways, they step in, adapt, and get it handled.

But there’s a blind spot that often gets overlooked: we’re solving symptoms instead of root causes. We react quickly, but we do not always think deeply.

And that’s where surface thinking starts. Costing us time, money, and trust,

The Surface Thinking Trap

Surface thinking shows up like this:

• A technician comes in late. You say something. They’re on time, until they’re not.
• You give a raise to retain someone, but they’re still disengaged six months later.
• You stay late to catch up on tasks you never seem to have time for, again.

It feels like you’re solving problems. But they keep coming back. That’s the trap.

Surface solutions provide short-term relief, but long-term friction.

They feel productive, but they create frustration. And if you’re solving the same thing twice, you’re not fixing the issue—you’re just delaying the next round of stress.

Why Shop Owners Default to Surface Thinking

It’s not because we don’t care. It’s because the industry rewards speed. When you’re juggling customers, techs, vendors, and operations, pausing to think deeply can feel like a luxury.

Add to that how many of us were raised:

• To push through discomfort
• To solve first, reflect later
• To measure success by what gets done, not what gets solved

So, we move fast, and we miss what’s really happening beneath the surface.

Surface Thinking Feeds Shop Stress

Many of the stressors you experience in your shop are recurring—and not because of bad luck. Often, it’s because the systems, expectations, or habits haven’t been revisited.

I’ve coached owners who don’t need more hours in the day. What they need is 15 minutes of thinking  each week to ask better questions.

Instead of asking:

“How do I stop this from happening again?”

Try:

“Why is this still happening?”
“What system, expectation, or leadership pattern is contributing?”
“Am I solving the symptom… or realigning the system?”

A Real-World Example: The Raise That Didn’t Work

One shop owner I worked with kept giving his top technician raises every time he hinted at leaving. Three raises in 18 months and the tech still walked.

Why? Because money wasn’t the issue.

He wanted clarity, a growth path, and to feel like he was contributing to something bigger. But that conversation never happened. Only the raise did.

That’s surface thinking. It looks generous, feels decisive, but doesn’t create long-term solutions.

Deeper Thinking Doesn’t Mean Overthinking

Let’s be clear—this isn’t about slowing down your entire operation. It’s about pausing long enough to lead intentionally.

Ask:

• What’s really behind this issue?
• What am I unintentionally tolerating?
• Where do I need to update expectations or systems?

That’s how you move from a reactive shop owner to an intentional business leader.

The Financial Cost of Staying Surface

This isn’t just philosophical. It’s practical:

• How much does it cost to rehire… again?
• How many hours are lost “cleaning up” after a process that no one owns?
• What’s the price of staying in stress mode while problems repeat?

It adds up, financially and emotionally.

The Identity Shift of a Legacy Leader

At some point, the shop you built needs something different from you.

Not your hustle.
Not your firefighting.
But your thinking.

You don’t build a legacy business by reacting. You build it by designing.

That means aligning your systems, communication, and culture. Not just keeping them afloat.

Your Challenge This Week

Pick one issue that keeps showing up in your business.
Then ask yourself:

“What would a legacy-minded owner do differently here?”

Give yourself the space to think before acting.

Grit and Deep Thinking

The auto repair industry isn’t short on grit. But grit alone won’t build what lasts. Deep thinking will.

Let’s stop solving the same problems. Your team deserves better. Your business deserves better. And truthfully, you do, too.

Maryann Croce is a shop owner and business coach who helps single-location auto shop owners create profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable businesses. Her 3-Day Weekends System helps shop owners reclaim 10+ hours a week by learning to manage smarter, delegate with confidence, and lead with clarity. Learn more at smallbizvantage.com.