How often have you found yourself drawn to something new and shiny, only to be disappointed when it doesn't live up to your expectations?
If you're like most people, the answer is probably "more times than I'd care to admit."
Or do you find yourself constantly drawn to new trends, ideas, or projects despite having a backlog of unfinished work?
If this is something you can relate to and are in search of a solution, read on to learn more about this phenomenon and how you can manage it.
Welcome to the world of the Shiny Object Syndrome.
What Is It?
The term "Shiny Object Syndrome" generally refers to people who are easily distracted by new, interesting things.
In recent years, the syndrome has been applied more broadly to describe our general societal obsession with all things new and exciting.
Most of us have experienced Shiny Object Syndrome at some point in our lives.
You know the drill: you're trying to focus on a task, but your attention is drawn to something else that's more interesting or appealing.
This "something else" could be anything from a new gadget to a social media notification.
Of course, a little bit of distraction is perfectly normal - after all, we humans are notoriously bad at staying focused.
However, when distractions start to interfere with our ability to accomplish goals, that's when Shiny Object Syndrome becomes a problem.
The business world is especially susceptible to this syndrome, as there are always new products, technologies, and trends to keep track of.
But constantly craving something more, something new, doesn’t sound that bad, right?
Well, in reality, it’s not as simple as that - let’s have a look at some of the cons of having Shiny Object Syndrome.
What Are The Implications?
It's human nature to be drawn to shiny new objects.
Whether it's a new car, the latest gadget, or an interesting opportunity, we all have a tendency to get caught up in the moment and chase after what's new and exciting.
However, when it comes to achieving our goals, this can be a major problem.
Instead of focusing on what we want to achieve, we become sidetracked by novel ideas and opportunities.
While at first glance, chasing after shiny objects may not seem like a big deal, it can actually lead to confusion and setbacks.
When we're constantly jumping from one thing to the next, we never give ourselves a chance to truly focus on any one goal.
As a result, we often achieve far less than we could have if we had just stayed focused on what was important.
The good news is that there are ways to overcome Shiny Object Syndrome.
How To Overcome It?
As with any issues you might meet on the road to success, overcoming Shiny Object Syndrome might not be easy, but it will ultimately be beneficial.
Understanding The Hype
The first thing you should do is to take a step back and reflect on what it is about the 'new shiny object' that has you so excited.
Is it something that you really need, or is it just a want?
Try to be as realistic as possible when identifying whether, for example, this new project will be something that you can take on.
Set Your Priorities Straight
Another thing that can help you is to prioritize your goals and consider whether the 'new shiny object' will slow your tempo.
If you think that focusing on the new thing will turn you away from your current goal, maybe place it a bit lower on your list if you're still considering it.
After all, you need to remember that you cannot clone yourself (not yet, at least), so in some cases, the new things will have to wait their turn.
Look At The Big Picture
This is the point when you will need to take a step back to be able to see the whole picture.
Does the 'new shiny object' fit in it?
Some ideas might sound very exciting in your head, but in reality, they are way too far from your current goals.
Following up on such ideas will eventually set you back immensely, and you might not even be able to get back on the right track.
This is why we recommend looking away from the details and taking in the whole picture every once in a while.
Final Thoughts
Shiny Object Syndrome is very much a real problem, and it can be tough to overcome.
But if you can resist the temptation of every new thing that comes your way, you’ll be able to focus on what’s important and achieve your goals.
What is one way you have experienced Shiny Object Syndrome?
We'd love to hear about it in the comments below!
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