How To Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome
How To Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome OK hands up before we go into this topic today. Let’s be honest everyone has been subject to the dreaded shiny object syndrome at some point in the life or business…. and it’s human nature we just can’t resist them.
However, shiny objects are where we lose our focus on our career, business, health or just about any type of goal. We see something that looks like a great idea and we totally veer off in a different direction, usually never following through on what we planned.
For example in the online business world this is what we see happen the most (and yes we’ve been there and done it too so we speak from experience). You buy training programs that promise you instant riches or quick ways to make more money, even though they aren’t part of your original plan…
Then the following through often doesn’t happen
- Because we are excited about the idea at first, but then it fizzles out.
- It’s not in line with what our goals are.
- We overwhelm ourselves with too many ideas and possibilities.
- We overwhelm ourselves with too much in our schedule because we can’t get everything done
The Cure For How To Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome
Luckily there is a cure for how to avoid shiny object syndrome:-
- Set your goals and know where you really want to go. Only do things that are in line with those goals. For example, in our business we see a lot of other business owners get distracted with brand new marketing techniques or entirely different business ideas that completely take their focus away from what they’ve steadily been building.
- If you seem to get distracted when things seem to be taking longer than you want, set smaller goals and reward yourself for those milestones. Rewards will depend on what you achieved and shouldn’t sabotage your goal. Just something you appreciate to say thank you to yourself!
- Be more discerning. Never buy on impulse. Do your research and take time to think. Limited time offers are good for the people selling (we know that because we’re marketers), but not for you because they cause you to make impulsive decisions.
- Get an accountability partner… and better yet an accountability partner. Discuss your new ideas and potential shiny objects with the before you jump in. Be there for each other and look out for one another’s best interests.
- Eliminate distractions that bring these shiny objects to you. If you’re on a ton of email lists or follow a bunch of people on social media that are always pulling you this way and that…turn them off.
- Investing in yourself and improving yourself is a good idea, but realise that when you keep spending money on these shiny objects, you’re making yourself work harder and you’re putting your time freedom out of balance. Invest wisely and you’ll keep growing…but do it ‘willy nilly‘ and you’ll find yourself broke or in debt.
- The only way to actually achieve your goals is through consistency, hard work and staying on track. It’s not easy to build a business. It’s not easy to get your career or business to exactly where you want it. There are no massive shortcuts to anything really. Sometimes that’s a hard pill to swallow, but swallow it and everything will become clearer and easier for you
If you screw up…
It is not the end of the world and we all make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them and course correct to get back on track. This is always key.
Be patient, stay consistent and let results come. When you sabotage yourself, recognise it and get back to your plan.
Thanks for reading and hope this has provided you with some clarity around the dreaded shiny object syndrome
This was quite a difficult article for us to write because we realise that as marketers we probably contribute to the problem by putting in front of you offers we think will take your fancy and we have to do that because we recognise as we build our audience that not everyone wants the same thing.
All we would say is find one thing that really resonates with you and stick with it until you see success because going from shiny object to shiny object without achieving success with any is just foolish.
