What is Shiny Object Syndrome?
This is a post I had to write because I want to see the general community opinion on this. Shiny object syndrome from what I've studied is the trap where you go from course to course, trying system after system; almost in an addictive way. When you have shiny object syndrome, you don't really have an end goal in mind accept for quick results.
Shiny Object Syndrom vs. Lifelong Learning
Shiny Object syndrome can easily be confused with lifelong learning and feeding a positive curiosity. When you're starting on a new journey and mastering a craft, it's important to answer the questions you have to build your confidence and to sharpen yourself as a professional.
As a person whose had more than one profession, I can remember the path I had to take for each profession. In the military, there was a standard expectation to start out at a low rank and develop increased skill levels with time. We were required to take lots of training (from various vendors) and to use what we learned to the benefit of the service. In between each skill level, there was on average a two year gap where you'd learn a set of skills, practice them, then test for proficiency before gaining rank, and learning more.
I look at our growth in Internet marketing as if it will be the same. We start in SEO, master that skill, read and study to get a thorough understanding of the cause and effect of various tactics on our sites, then move into another.
What if your primary training leaves you with questions unanswered? Should you try to maintain exclusivity, or do you buy into the course that answers your questions at that moment? I think that's where many people get stuck and may confuse that with shiny object syndrome. For me personally, I don't get the desire to buy courses often, but I know in the military we had professional development where we'd shut down our offices one full day every month, so I don't see a problem with ongoing training that's not in an exclusive environment.
My Opinion on Shiny Object Syndrome
After exploring and honing my skill for more than one career field, it's my opinion that you should continue exploring to be very knowledgeable and master your skills. I don't think it's necessary to maintain exclusivity to a platform to hone the skills, but I do think it's necessary to maintain exclusivity to a strategy until you've seen it all the way thru UNLESS it doesn't match well with your values or you see early on that it's not a good fit for your personality, skills, or life purpose.
I believe you should read internet marketing books, network with people in the career field, exchange ideas to see what others are doing, take courses BUT stay exclusive to one strategy UNTIL you've seen it all the way to results, then try testing other mixes little by little to maintain a consistent income, traffic, and overall business.
What do you think about Shiny Object Syndrome?
What does shiny object syndrome mean to you? Should you maintain exclusivity to one platform? If so, how long? When do you decide that the strategy you've committed to does or doesn't work? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Recent Comments
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I've told some people they have ADOS - Attention Deficit Ohhh Shiny! It's easy to get distracted for sure. I always suggest that people who have countless ideas bouncing around their brain take the time to write those down. Once recorded, their brains can take a break and focus on the task at hand. It's helped a lot of people to do that.
I like your analysis, and agree with it. A major challenge of 21st century life is information overload and sales-hype overload that comes with it. Nearly all of us fall prey to shiny objects to some degree from time to time. We are bombarded from all sides at high bandwidth. Coping is not an easy thing.
Time management and strategic thinking are essential to stay on some kind of rational path toward success. Your 2 year military training/growth model seems like a great approach. Thanks for it; maybe I'll try it on for size, even though I've never worn the uniform.
Let us know how it works out.
Steve
I think there's an addictive type and a healthy type. It's healthy learning to do your research and build your confidence in your profession. It's unhealthy to continue looking for shortcuts or quick fixes.
Great question! I was glad that you made a distinction between lifelong learning, being curious and shiny object syndrome.
Shiny object syndrome is a definite hazard to a new affiliate marketer's productivity and pocket book.
The problem is that we are constantly being tempted as we learn about the world of online marketing. We also are tempted to want a beautiful website and lots of traffic asap.
Will a new theme work better? Would an upgraded theme work better? Will this program or that program, save me time? What about Bobby Sue's suggestion? Should I try it? This list could go on an on.
If I was to go back and give my beginner self some advise, I would tell me: Do not make ANY purchases or upgrades related to my online business until I complete Kyle's entire Online Entrepreneurship Training course.
By completing the course, that means actually writing and publishing every post he tells us to do. Taking time off when he says take time off. In other words, I would tell myself to trust the training.
There is a reason that he doesn't tell us to go out and buy things or upgrades. Extra stuff isn't needed in the early stages where we do not have any traffic.
When do you think is the point where you know you're ready for some supplemental books or courses? Or, should you always rely on the question thread or PM's?
With my learning style; I have always preferred to doing my own research. I have rarely relied solely on the question threads or private messages.
The answers in threads might give me the starting point for my outside research. The down side to my method is that I work VERY slow.
I make buying decisions very slow too! I guess that's something we have in common. That's what makes my reviews so long is because I try to answer every question they might have. LOL. I know that's what I would want.
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I agree with you.
I feel Shiny Object Syndrome is a huge problem for people who know nothing about Online Business. Remember there are sooo many courses in online marketing. Affiliate marketing, E-Commerce, Day trading, crypto. Like you said it's important to stick to one strategy.
When you're a beginner you don't know how to tell which course teaches you the legitimate up to date information. Not all of them have the right information. Some teach methods that hurt your website. like buying backlinks. Some are way outdated. Some just don't have a step by step method that teaches the basics well.
I feel therefore it's important to stick to the certification courses from start to finish. Then you know the basics and the right way to build your business, after that, you can learn more techniques or expand into other online businesses
I agree with that!