Do You Suffer From Shiny Object Syndrome

Do you suffer from Shiny Object Syndrome? 

Don’t know what that is?  Every high performer like you suffers from it or suffered from it at some point in their career.  If you are a solopreneur or entrepreneur, this affects you even more.  So, listen up.  I am going to share with you why you need to avoid the shiny object syndrome and what it may actually cost you and your business to go chasing the next shiny object. 

First, let’s define the Shiny Object Syndrome or SOS. Simply put, shiny object syndrome is a distraction of some sort that takes you off the task you were working on to chase another project or another gadget or the latest fad.

It’s a disease my friends and if affects entrepreneurs and high performers like you because you crave new technology, new challenges, and new developments. You tend to be highly motivated and are not afraid to start a new project and create something cool.  

That’s the good news.  You love new challenges and opportunities and normally I would say, good for you, however when SOS hits you, you are chasing project after project and never really settling on one activity or source. You begin to lose traction.

Here’s a great example. Have you ever been around a child that is playing with a toy and then someone introduces another toy? Immediately the child wants the new toy and loses interest in what they were playing with. Then someone else starts playing with another shiny new toy and the child wants that one and loses interest in the one they had been focused on.  That goes on over and over and just because you are an adult, don’t think you are immune to it.  I see it all the time.

For you a shiny bright object may be a business objective, a new marketing strategy, a new client or even another business opportunity.

Let me give you a business example.  Early on in my real estate career, I was uncertain what type of marketing to do.  I had people throwing ideas at me right and left. So, I started this thing called farming, then someone said try door knocking, then someone said, buy leads, advertise in this magazine, then someone said, my program will help you get clients through networking, join this organization and that group and then someone said, work with the investment club. Sound familiar?  These are all business shiny objects that take us down the Distraction Ditch and you suffer and your business suffers.

 Rather than doing a deep dive into one marketing strategy and sticking to it, I did too many and did not gain a lot of traction. Finally, I recognized I was wasting a ton of money and not being really good at any and was just jumping from one strategy to another.   I was a jack of all marketing techniques and a master of none.  I was spending way too much money chasing the next new shiny object.  Fortunately, I stopped, evaluated, and kicked in the focus. I tend to get bored easily and that was part of the issue. I had to kick in to the focus and discipline big time.

So here is what happened.  Once I focused on one marketing technique and consistently did my daily active prospecting, I started seeing consistent results.  Hmmmm what a concept.

Then when I was comfortable and really understood and learned one strategy and started seeing results, I gradually introduced another one. For me this made a huge difference and impacted my bottom line profit.

 I went back to my years of corporate sales training where we learned to really understand clients and their needs.  Essentially I had to start practicing what I already knew and somehow let slip.

When you are a high performer and an entrepreneur to boot, you get bombarded with requests and new shiny objects show up all the time.

 My friends, here are a few tips that you can do to stave off shiny object syndrome:

1. Before jumping in to the next best thing since sliced bread, sit on ideas before making the leap. Ask yourself this question. Is this the best use of my time and how much of my time and resources can I afford to spend on this?  Remember we have limited budgets when we first start our new business so make wise choices. If you hesitate, then it will give you a buffer to think it through.
2. Seek the advice of your more experienced colleagues or teammates. Getting advice from others could save you time and money.  If you are a solopreneur, and don’t have others around, put out a question on Facebook or Instagram.  But don’t waste too much time scrolling…..this is another SOS.
3. Set a timeline for how long you will invest in this Shiny Object Syndrome. In other words, set some short term and long-term goals for the SOS you are working on.
4. Learn to look past the hype.  Just because everyone is doing it does not mean it is good for you and your goals.  So, cancel out all the noise. 
5. Finally, learn to simply say No. And you can do it this way.  I appreciate the offer and thank you for thinking of me.  However, this is not a priority for me right now. I am busy with the vital priorities that are moving me forward. When the time is right, I will reach out to you.   It is ok to say NO.

Remember, when you chase all the new shiny objects you are wasting your time, money and energy!  Shiny Object Syndromers, unite and focus on your priorities.  

That’s it my friends.  I hope you received some value here and I would love it if you would share my blog and podcast with your friends and family.   We all need some encouraging every day.  

Until next time, stay focused, stay positive and always have fun.

Coach Maria