IF YOU’VE ever been distracted by new ideas, trends, or recommendations, you may have experienced Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) before. SOS can be tempting, but it can ruin your business if you let it. In this article, we’ll explain how to overcome it and how you can protect yourself as a business owner.
Key Takeaways
If you only take a few items away from this article, let them be these.
- Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) typically happens when you’ve been working on a project to the point of boredom and jump ship to new endeavors that seem easier and more lucrative.
- The best way to overcome SOS is to focus on important tasks instead of looking for new things that excite you. Put differently, you have to become comfortable with boredom because any task, no matter how easy or difficult, will lose its excitement with time.
- Comparing yourself to others makes you believe that you are not enough, causing you to doubt your current cause of action, which will eventually make you stop in your tracks and abandon your project for a more thrilling one.
What is Shiny Object Syndrome?
Shiny Object Syndrome, or SOS, is also known as the disease of distraction. It can also be caused by new products, the latest trends, or new technology. The result is a loss of focus on important work you’re doing.
What Causes It?
Many small business owners and entrepreneurs experience SOS because of distractions, which leads to an inability to concentrate. Perhaps there are too many exciting things left unfinished on their to-do list, they come across advertisements when researching on the web, or they compare themselves to people who own what they desire.
Digital entrepreneurs, in particular, can easily become distracted because there are many new tools, software, and gadgets that promise to improve their workflow and operation. We are inundated daily with advertisements and offers that promise to be the best way to attain a desired result.
If SOS has been preventing you from achieving your goals, then this article is for you.
How Can You Stop Shiny Object Syndrome?
The best way to overcome SOS is to focus on important tasks instead of looking for new things that excite you. Put differently, you have to become comfortable with boredom because any task, no matter how easy or difficult, will lose its excitement with time. This, of course, is easier said than done.
That’s why these 6 tips might help you in identifying the root cause of your distraction …
- Take on fewer projects
- Get a buddy to help you stay focused
- Follow through on your plans
- Focus on what you love doing
- Concentrate on what you’re good at
- Stay away from social media
Do any of these actions speak to you? Which one of these might be the root cause of your distraction?
Do You Struggle to Stay Focused
If you feel like your focus may be an issue, consider reading these highly-rated books:
- Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence
- Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention – And How to Think Deeply Again
- Master Your Focus: A Practical Guide to Stop Chasing the Next Thing
- Peak Mind: Find your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day
- Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive In a World of Distraction
How to Cope With Shiny Object Syndrome
Here are some additional ways for coping with SOS:
1. Set Better Goals
If shiny objects (more lucrative endeavors) easily distract you, consider setting good-quality, measurable goals. Keep them in mind and remind yourself why they’re important to you. Setting a target and defining a clear path helps to reduce SOS.
If you consider yourself to be a creative being, it shouldn’t be difficult to set a goal and design a roadmap. A lack of clarity and a current plan will always have you chasing shiny objects, so decide on measurable short-term goals that you will focus on over the next 90 days. Use goal setting to focus on five stimulating, quantifiable goals.
2. Increase Your Accountability
Entrepreneurs may think they have much time since they are in charge of their own schedule. The truth is they often have very little time to waste. To make the most out of your hours available, start by writing down all that you have on your list right now. How many unfinished projects do you have? Which ones are important and which ones appear to be shiny objects?
Chances are that your list is quite overwhelming. Overwhelm can be overcome with focus and accountability. The best way to concentrate on your goals on a daily basis is to work with someone to keep you accountable, like a co-worker, friend or family member. These people can prevent you from chasing a shiny new object that doesn’t contribute to your long-term goals.
3. Say “No” More Often
Chances are that you’re quite busy. You have thousands of items on your to-do list, all of seemingly equal importance, but the truth is that taking on everything is impossible.
You can keep feelings of overwhelm at bay when you have a clear goal in place (see step 1). That way, when writing out your to-do list for the day, you can decide for each item whether it moves you closer to achieving that goal. If it doesn’t, can you delete or delegate it?
With time you’ll get skilled at selecting tasks of high importance, and saying “no” to actions that don’t move you toward the finish line. No matter how shiny new opportunities, projects, and financial investments appear to be, it’s only when you can decline a task that you move toward entrepreneurial success.
4. Evaluate the Next Shiny Object
When you manage your life like a business, you don’t take on projects that don’t fit your values. You must be aware of your values, first and foremost. If in doubt, ask yourself these questions :
- What is important to me?
- Which achievement or experience would you be most proud of?
- What do you value most in being a business owner?
- What does my business stand for?
When you’re sure of your values, you can save more energy and time when a new opportunity presents itself.
5. Stop Comparing
Comparison syndrome is one of the biggest causes of SOS. Comparing yourself to others makes you believe that you are not enough, causing you to doubt your current cause of action, which will eventually make you stop in your tracks and abandon your project for a more thrilling one.
The key to stop comparing yourself to your peers is to believe in yourself. If your lack of confidence is killing you, and you feel that you constantly compare yourself to others, then check out these books:
- The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance
- The Art of Extraordinary Confidence: Your Ultimate Path to Love, Wealth, and Freedom
- Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, & Feeling Guilty… And Start Speaking up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, and Unapologetically Being Yourself
Overcome Shiny Object Syndrome
Shiny object syndrome causes distraction and devastation. When you feel distracted or overwhelmed, follow these five suggestions to become more efficient and productive. When you know the causes of shiny object syndrome and how to overcome it, you can break the pattern for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to Shiny Object Syndrome.
What is shiny object syndrome?
Shiny object syndrome is a habit that causes constant distraction because you’re always chasing anything new and exciting.
How do you overcome shiny object syndrome?
You can overcome shiny object syndrome by not taking on too many projects, finding someone to keep you focused, finishing what you start, focusing on the things you love to do, doing more of what you’re great at, and not being influenced by social media ideals.
Do I have shiny object syndrome?
You may have shiny object syndrome when you can’t finish projects, poorly plan ideas, and burn through cash.