Too Busy Fighting Alligators to Drain the Swamp

What does the idiom “Too Busy Fighting Alligators to Drain the Swamp” mean?

Definition:

So occupied with multiple challenges that one can’t keep the big picture in mind

For example:

“Lately we’ve been having so many problems in sales that I haven’t been able to work on the new plan—I’m too busy fighting alligators to drain the swamp.”

Notes:

Commonly this is given in the form: “When you’re up to your ass in alligators, it does no good to remember that you should have drained the swamp.”

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