Sometimes we set goals for ourselves and are eager to embark on the journey to achieve them, but very quickly something else distracts us. It could be a new idea, trend, tool that seems useful, or a goal we suddenly want more, diverting our focus from the original goal. This problem has a name – shiny object syndrome – and just as it sounds, it happens because there is something else that catches your eye and seems more worthwhile than what you are trying to achieve right now, while making your current goal appear less attractive. You can overcome this if you understand the phenomenon, and that’s what we’ll help you do with 7 effective tips.
How do you know if you suffer from shiny object syndrome?
If you consistently and frequently identify with one of the following situations, it’s a possible sign that you suffer from shiny object syndrome:
- You have a long list of ideas for goals, but haven’t achieved even one.
- You jump from goal to goal and can’t fully achieve any.
- You sign up for courses that promise you success, but haven’t really achieved it yet.
- You can’t stick to one goal for a long time and get bored of the path to it very quickly.
- You collect tools to help you achieve your aspirations, but don’t actually use them.
All of these share a common denominator – you start doing something with great enthusiasm, but it fades as soon as something else catches your attention. You find yourself always drawn to another plan or stuck in planning stages that lead nowhere, and maybe you do gain many skills and tools, but remain at a "beginner" level and don’t reach an advanced level in using them. This happens to you time and time again – you start something, gradually improve, climb higher, and then something else comes along that seems better, more fun, or more useful, and you abandon everything you’ve done so far and move on to the next thing. This pattern of behavior won’t lead you to success, but only to failure and a permanent state of mediocrity in everything you try to do in life.
How to beat shiny object syndrome – 7 tips to help you
So how do you stay focused on one project and avoid the distractions of shiny object syndrome? Here are 7 tips you should remember and apply:
1. Drill into your head: "New" doesn’t equal "Better"
You don’t need to ignore everything new that might enter your life, but today there are so many trends that pass quickly, and technologies update at such a rapid pace that it’s hard to keep up with every new tool or idea. You really don’t have the time to waste chasing after all of them, because if you do, you won’t achieve anything. You need to understand that not everything new and shiny is truly better than what you are currently working towards or with.
2. Learn to see beyond the hype
There will always be something new and shinier – it won’t go away. New products and services come with advertisements and reviews that are hard to ignore, especially if you regularly use social media, but you need to see beyond the promises and excitement of others. It’s possible that all the products and ideas you hear about are indeed good and recommended, but not necessarily for you.
3. Assess how things will fit into your work and life
If what you see looks shiny, first think about how it will fit with what you’re already doing and in your life in general. Don’t follow it just because it attracts you, but first ask 3 essential questions:
- Is this really what I need?
- Will it truly add value to my work or life?
- What are the pros and cons of choosing this?
Do only what you really need, what will indeed add value to your work and life, and where the pros outweigh the cons. Be honest with yourself and don’t do something just because many others chose it – it’s not necessarily your path.
4. Avoid distractions
The best way to neutralize shiny object syndrome is not with self-discipline alone, but by managing your distractions. For example, if you’re in a Facebook group or follow a certain personality on Instagram that constantly promotes new products and offers, all these harm your ability to focus on what’s really important to you. These ads use language and visuals aimed at showing you that what they offer is indeed better than what you have, and it’s hard to train the brain to ignore that. It’s better to simply avoid such distractions, unfollow, and leave the groups that don’t contribute to your success. Anything irrelevant to your success on the chosen path is unnecessary.
5. Understand the cost of switching
As we’ve already said, new tools that can improve our work are always coming out, but when you choose a new tool, it must meet 2 conditions for it to be effective for you:
- It must be a tool that provides you with capabilities that your current tools do not.
- It must be a tool with (very!) positive reviews from various and reliable sources.
Even when you switch to using such a new tool, the process comes with a certain cost, which could be monetary, time you’ll need to invest in learning how to use the tool, or even the distraction it may pose to your current work. When you switch from tool to tool and idea to idea, you always pay these costs, so you need to carefully consider whether the price will be worth it.
6. Adopt a "wait and see" approach
If you’re not sure, it’s always better to wait and see. It’s possible that the tool or idea that attracts you now will become irrelevant in a few years, and the bubble around it will burst. There are quite a few examples of this, like the NFT bubble that popped up a few years ago. If you feel uncertain, wait and see what happens, and if it’s a tool you can use in a trial version, try it before putting all your eggs in that basket. As long as it’s not something you truly need right here and now, wait and see, and decide later, after the initial excitement has died down, whether it’s really something you need.
7. Learn to distinguish between a shiny object and a real opportunity
The last tip, and one of the most important on the list, is to learn to identify opportunities and differentiate between them and what is just a shiny object. Here’s how to distinguish between the two:
- A shiny object is something that looks good and exciting, but ultimately just distracts you from your original goal.
- A real opportunity is something that can truly impact your current work here and now, like a tool that helps you develop a crucial ability you didn’t have before.
Train yourself to distinguish between the two, and you’ll see it’s not that difficult. After that, all you need to do is say "no" to the shiny objects, which you’ll be able to identify much more easily.
