Staying The Course: How To Overcome Shiny Object Syndrome In Business

The key to overcoming shiny object syndrome is staying the course, and here’s some millionaire wisdom to help you do just that.

Once you’ve committed to walking the path of entrepreneurship, you’ll find a never-ending number of temptations…

These temptations come in the form of new ideas and business models that seem better, faster, and/or easier than your current path.

This is the challenge of “shiny object syndrome,” where new ideas seem more attractive… and they come with promises of faster, easier success.

However, that’s hardly ever the case. 

What Shiny Object Syndrome Feels Like

Think about it like this…

Imagine you're a farmer who's just planted a field of wheat.

As time passes, you see one of your neighbors growing corn, and it’s growing a lot faster…

Then you see your other neighbor is growing grapes, which are more profitable…

Now, it's tempting to switch, thinking one of those two might be a better choice than wheat.

But here's the catch: if you keep changing crops, your original wheat will never have the chance to mature and yield a harvest.

Even if you change to corn or grapes, you’ll see another farmer growing a different crop that looks more promising so you’ll want to switch to that one as well.

And the process never ends. 

Which means you never yield a harvest.

This is why you need to stick with your chosen business model.

You might see other business ideas that look more exciting or easier and think about switching.

But true success comes from persistence and dedication to your chosen path, not from constantly chasing new, seemingly better options.

It's about nurturing your 'wheat' – giving it the care and time it needs to grow and thrive.

How to Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome

So, how do you avoid Shiny Object Syndrome?

1. Remember Your “Why”:
   Keep reminding yourself why you chose your business model in the first place.
   This helps in staying focused.

2. Set Long-Term Goals:
   Having clear, long-term goals for your business can help you stay on track and resist the temptation to switch paths.

3. Track Your Progress:
   Regularly assess how far you've come with your current model.
   Recognizing progress can be motivating and affirming.

4. Limit Distractions:
   Try to limit exposure to too many new ideas that might distract you.
   Stay focused on your path.

5. Seek Support:
   A mentor or a support group can help keep you grounded and focused on your goals, especially when you're tempted to stray.

Unless you change how you are, you will always have what you got. –Jim Rohn

Remember, like the farmer patiently tending to his wheat, success in business comes from commitment and persistence with your chosen model.

Resist the lure of the new and shiny, and focus on nurturing your current path to reap the rewards in time.

Conclusion: Newer Isn’t Always Better

Whether in business or in life, if you don’t control what happens, what happens will control you.

This is why you have to be actively engaged in the matters you wish to succeed in and leave nothing to chance.

If you’re attracted to a business idea, there’s a reason for it and no amount of other newer things will get you closer to success - you’ve got to stay the course, grow, and adapt.

The principle remains the same in other aspects of life - don’t allow temporary distractions to disillusion you into believing that something else is better than what you have…

YOU allocate the meaning, value and significance to everything you deem important enough to spend time on because you create your life, whether you’re conscious of it or not.

And in the absence of nurturing to maturity, and gratitude for what you have, nothing will ever be good enough for long enough, and shiny objects will always blind you to what is real.

So from the outset, create something worth celebrating that you can be proud of.

It’s about consistency of character and a millionaire spirit that finds a way to succeed even when other options seem like greener pastures.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shiny Object Syndrome

Has your Mind ever wondered…

Is shiny object syndrome a real thing?

Shiny object syndrome or ‘SOS’ for short, can be likened to a cry for help when you’re in a perpetual state of diversion or distraction prompted by the belief that pursuing something other than what you have could be more worth your time.

This concept is as true in business as it is in all aspects of human life because you are essentially your habits, and how you’re doing anything is how you’ll be doing everything.

That ‘cry for help’ can be a golden reminder for you to focus on where you are, on gratitude for what you have, and to see your existing commitment through in order to make a success of your venture.

Because the price you’ll pay for bouncing from one shiny object to the next is a journey of poor impulse control where you don’t finish what you start, and never see the true potential or end result of your investment of time and resources in a specific commitment.

This habit can be transformed from always wanting something new and shiny to nurturing and growing what you have already - by improving on this habit, you’re enriching your experience and increasing the value of what you’re being hands-on with.

Is shiny object syndrome good?

There’s nothing good about shiny object syndrome other than shedding light by showing you where you have to strengthen your resolve.

Splitting your focus, energy, time, and resources away from your core objective, be it business or personal, is a sure-fire way to shoot yourself in the foot - something you’ll likely regret later.

You can avoid it altogether by following 5 simple steps…

Clarity, goal setting, goal tracking, limiting distractions, and seeking support can fundamentally help you avoid the pitfall of self-sabotage, so you can stay focused on the essence of your mission.

How do you get rid of shiny object syndrome?

If you’re wondering how to overcome shiny object syndrome, the answer is really simple…

Learn to say no, and say no more often to the temptation of new and shiny objects that come your way.

Have clarity on your objectives and goals that you’re aiming to achieve, whether in business or in life, and if anything new presents itself and it doesn’t complement your existing pursuit, it’s a hard NO, thank you.

Sure it might feel like a test of accountability, but with practice, you’ll get better at saying no to what does not serve your best life if you’re willing to learn how to stop being afraid to say no.