Every entrepreneur I have ever know by their very nature, sees opportunities all around them. They notice ways to make things better, meet a need or fix a problem. They are highly motivated and never afraid to start something new and different.
However, this acute awareness can become their greatest weakness. Often it’s not a lack of ideas that keeps them from being successful, but having too many irons in the fire. There are just so many shiny things out there to distract us from our original purpose.
But all that glitters is not gold.
“Shiny Object Syndrome” is the tendency to get pulled off track by new thoughts and ideas. It’s a state of constant distraction. It affects entrepreneurs specifically because of the very qualities listed above that make them unique.
You’ve experienced it, I am sure. It looks like this:
- Rather than beginning or completing a challenging project, you check your email, peruse a favorite newsfeed, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter…..
- You are always ready to take on a new project, even if your workload is heavy, because the allure of a new challenge is just more than you can resist.
- You constantly start new ideas only to move on to the next one as soon as implementing the first idea gets difficult.
Sound Familiar?
Don’t worry, it’s not fatal. Here’s some tips on how to stay focused, so you can make that brilliant idea of yours a reality with ease and grace instead of a lot of stress and struggle.
First, Choose. Do your homework, form a focus group, get professional advice – then choose an idea you are excited about and willing to see through to completion. Ensure it lies within your purpose and is not an outlier, a sure sign of SOS.
Second, Commit to the time, money, energy, resources – whatever it’s going to take to accomplish it.
Third, Celebrate your results along the way. Don’t wait until the project is totally complete. When you give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for incremental results, it renews your spirit and helps to keep you focused on the end game.
If you think you might have a chronic case of “Shiny Object Syndrome”, contact me for a complimentary Strategy Session – NOW- before you get distracted and forget. Don’t deny yourself the satisfaction and fulfillment that only a completed project can bring.
And remember…
Whatever your goal or dream. WE Can Make it Happen!
