Shiny Object Syndrome
Shiny Object Syndrome......it's a thing!
A thing that has me bouncing back and forth from one "opportunity" to the next "best thing since sliced bread". All the ideas, concepts, new products, ways of doing things, and making money, etc..... all sound so good! But are they, really? Are they really good? Is that even the right question to ask? Maybe a better question is this.....is it good for me? Is it what I should be focused on, right now, today.
Wealthy Affiliate is one of my recent shiny objects....or, so I thought!
A few months ago I found this blog post talking about this amazing platform called Wealthy Affiliate. I began reading about it, researching it and thought to myself, "OK, I will pull the trigger" and check this thing out. WA looks like a good site and a pretty good opportunity. I was SO proud of myself and excited to learn of this new site. After much reading, researching and review I went to sign-up for my new account. Only one problem. I already had an account. What?!?! Really?!?! When??? Two years ago! Wow! Seriously?! Wow again! Let that sink in.
Not only had I heard about it before BUT I had actually signed up for an account. And never used it. So I found this site, signed up and then walked away. Blinded by another shiny object. Certainly many of the objects were good objects. Anyone actively and making money here on WA can attest to this place being a great platform with opportunity galore. Surely there were a few other things I considered along the way that were likely just as good. But unless I can stay put and focus on the successful object placed before me, it is no good. Not because of the THING, but because of my lack of focus and maximizing the thing that has been set before me.
Good questions to ask when presented with a new, shiny object:
What is the cost? If I spend my time, energy, focus and resources on this shiny new object, then what will get less of my time elsewhere?
Is it my other core business focus, my family, my rest & relaxation time or can I juggle it all? Burning the candle at both ends......when ultimately a full nights sleep fades from 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3.5.......and sitting down to eat turns to fast food. So, just because I can do it....doesn't mean I should do it. Consider the cost at all times. Don't just jump in with both feet.
I am not sure if this resonates with anyone, but I am really just talking to myself here and you happen to be a fly on the wall of my internal thoughts. Not really sure how this WA blog thing works or who will actually read it. I recall at one point that I would put all new ideas in a folder and review it either monthly or quarterly and only after allowing the new idea to sit and marinate (or shrivel up and fall off) would I take the precious time, energy and resources that are in my mind, imagination and visions to fully consider a new project. Otherwise, it could be two more years before I actually utilize the resources that I have in my hand right now. Here is to me making a decision and sticking to it and remembering what my new sifting process is to run with a new idea. No matter how shiny the object is, it will need to sit in the proverbial dark space of a drawer or folder until a predetermined date and time.
What about you....do you have a similar struggle with shiny object syndrome?
How do you manage shiny object syndrome? From one shiny object syndrome bunny rabbit to another, share your best tips and practices on staying the course. How did you stop hopping around from one shiny carrot to another? Or have you stopped? Maybe we can start a 12-step program together.
Here is to our success and our F.O.C.U.S.!!!!!
Recent Comments
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All of us suffer from this to an extent, but it takes time and effort to build the skills and things you need to succeed. In my former work it took about 10 years to become even basically proficient, and more than that to become a Guru. This is somewhat easier, but it still takes time, hard work, and dedication.
This site. Wealthy Affiliates allows one to build their skills in bite-sized steps, so they can go from total newbie to a skilled marketer with wonderful working marketing sites, all it takes is time, effort, and dedication.