I have a confession: until recently, I’d never actually watched a full episode of Dr. Phil. Then I found out I was going to meet him at an IT conference. Naturally, I decided to do some last-minute “homework,” which turned into a late-night binge of Dr. Phil episodes until about 1:00 a.m. Let me tell you—I lost some sleep, but it was worth it.
I was expecting a talk show about relationships or family drama, but what I got instead was something that hit way closer to home for me as an entrepreneur. In one episode, Dr. Phil confronted a brilliant programmer who was inexplicably stuck. He had the technical “know how” to succeed but never seemed to finish his projects. The big reveal? His mind was running on negative code—those destructive, automated thoughts that sabotage your best efforts. Dr. Phil bluntly showed him the “mental programing” he was running in his mind every day. It was like debugging software – techy term, but connected well with the programmer – it basically means looking for issues, and fixing them. Until you see the issues and change the faulty code or programming, you’ll keep getting the same bad output.
My Aha Moment: Negative Code and Your Outdated Tech
That analogy got me thinking about all the times I’ve seen small businesses try to grow—but they’re running on outdated, “negative” technology. Because let’s face it: negative code doesn’t just live in our heads. It can live in our hardware, software, and IT infrastructure, too. If your computers are six years old, if you’re clinging to a line-of-business application that hasn’t been updated since the Obama administration, or if you’re constantly battling security threats on your aging network, you’re dealing with negative tech code.
Why is this a big deal? Because for most small businesses, payroll is your largest expense. You’ve already invested in your people; tying them to a six-year-old PC is like hiring a star sprinter and forcing them to run in flip-flops. 🤦♂️ They’ll still move forward, but nowhere near their peak speed. The real kicker is that many businesses cling to these old systems because “they still work.” Sure, they power on, but the longer they run the more they waste time (and money) with slow performance, glitches, outdated security, and endless workarounds.
Ticket Reviews vs. True Strategy
One thing that drives me nuts is when IT “meetings” turn into glorified ticket reviews:
- “Hey, we fixed 37 support tickets last month.”
- “We upgraded two laptops.”
- “We installed a new security tool.”
Great. But that’s like telling Dr. Phil’s stuck programmer, “Hey, you worry a lot but you still moved.” Without a strategic approach—actually changing the negative code in the system—we’re just spinning our wheels, waiting for the next breakdown.
A truly proactive IT strategy is about looking forward, not just back. It’s asking, “How can we make technology truly work for us and push our business to the next level?” and “Where are we running negative technology that’s holding us back?” It means not just patching up old software but honestly evaluating whether it’s time to upgrade or replace. After all, nobody wants to waste money on constant “tech repairs” that fix one issue and breed another.
Meeting Dr. Phil in Person
When I finally met Dr. Phil and heard him speak at the conference, I was struck by how open-minded he was about technology—especially my favorite fresh area of tech; AI. He pointed out that AI is just another tool, and it’s up to us whether we use it for good or for ill. I couldn’t agree more. I love AI (in fact, I’m using it right now to help organize my ideas for this blog post!).
Q: How Do I Know If My Tech Is “Negative Code”?
Short answer: if it’s slowing you down, driving you nuts, or constantly breaking, it’s probably time to debug.
- Age Check – If your workstations or servers are 5+ years old, you’re flirting with inefficiency and higher risk of failure.
- Software Incompatibilities – Are you stuck on an old app that won’t integrate with newer tools? It’s a sign your infrastructure can’t keep up.
- Frequent Glitches – Constant IT support tickets or emergency fixes signal deeper systemic issues.
- Security Gaps – Outdated devices and unpatched software are prime targets for cyber threats. Even one data breach could be devastating.
- Meet Strategically with your IT Team – If you only meet with your Support Team (those EPIC ER Dr’s of the tech world!) you may not be aware of positioning your self best for the coming years (Like your Primary Care Dr would typically help you with.)
Why We Need a Game Plan
Just as Dr. Phil insisted that the programmer face his negative thoughts head-on, we need to face our outdated IT issues directly. That begins with a thorough IT Assessment—sort of like an in-depth therapy session for your technology stack. We uncover what’s working, what’s not, how much it costs, and what improvements could truly transform your business.
The best part? By mapping out your technology goals, you’ll see the positive ROI in concrete terms. Let’s say you invest $15,000 in new PCs and server upgrades; if that reduces downtime and frees up two hours a week for each employee, do the math. You’ll probably earn that investment back faster than you expect—plus, your team stays productive (and sane).
My Takeaway: Rewrite Your Code
I’ll admit: staying up late to watch Dr. Phil wasn’t on my Dallas TX conference agenda, but I’m so glad I did. It reminded me that code—whether in our heads or in our businesses—shapes our outcomes more than we realize. If you’re running negative code in your tech environment, it’s holding your people back from doing their best work.
The good news? You don’t need to speak “tech” to fix this. You just need the right IT partner—someone who will show you what’s outdated, how much it’ll cost to fix, and what kind of payoff to expect. Then, you make the call. No more fuzzy guesswork. No more band-aid fixes.
So, if you’re ready to stop running negative code and truly upgrade your IT (and your business), I’d love to help you discover the exact steps to close the gap. Let’s talk about your goals, your old hardware, your line-of-business apps, and where new technology can transform your day-to-day operations. I’m all for rewriting that code so that your technology finally works for you, not against you.
Call us Today! 334.350.3344 or schedule your FREE assessment Here
Want to dig into the episode and connect as I did?
Too long to watch? Check out minute 3:32 to get right to the point – think about your business running on similar technologies as these thoughts.