What are the symptoms of shiny object syndrome? Do I have it?
How do you resist chasing the next shiny object as an entrepreneur?
It's time to stop chasing every idea and solution that comes your way. Learn how to overcome shiny object syndrome by setting goals. @XeraSupport #entrepreneur #business #onlinebusiness
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What is Shiny Object Syndrome?
My oldest daughter has ADHD. Some days, she can be reading and see a shimmer out of the corner of her eye. I’ll walk in the room and she’ll be staring at this shiny object, completely distracted from what she was doing. This is what we call shiny object syndrome.
Shiny object syndrome is common to every new entrepreneur.
You’re getting all set up for business and you’ve signed up for a few freebies from experts. They promise that their next e-course will give you everything you need to grow your list, sell your stuff, and succeed beyond your wildest dreams. So you buy.
The problem comes when you keep buying the next “big promise” you find. In the beginning, entrepreneurs need to resist shiny objects to be successful. You’ll learn early on, that nothing works “presto bingo” in business.
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What Do You Do With This New Shiny Object?
You eagerly open it up and dive in. Rather than spending the time on what you need to be doing, you devote everything to working on the freebie or e-course you just downloaded.
Or you put it away for when you have more time and energy. Then, you look at it and you’re frustrated because you aren’t there yet, and you can’t make it work. Or you realize that their steps don’t match your business. So you get the next freebie, e-course or e-book, thinking this time it will be different. But it isn’t, and never is!
Why Do We Get Distracted by the Shiny Object?
I’ve been there and done that.
I get distracted by the shiny objects, thinking that it be a shortcut to success. This “creating a profitable business” thing is hard work. And it seems like everyone else is making thousands while I sit here hearing crickets. I want to grow faster and get rich quick, so I keep looking for the shortcut.
We all want success to be easy!
That’s why I buy shiny objects because I think they will teach me some secret that everyone else knows. I don’t know what I don’t know, but I know I don’t know everything. So the emails come in, the Facebook ad titles catch my attention, promising to teach me everything I need to know. I buy in, wanting the six-figure income in a few months.
Sometimes I get sucked in by the fear of missing out on some great product that will never come my way again. The headlines scream “last chance” and “doors closing”, and that urgency preys on my attention and my wallet.
Those shiny objects dazzle, and I push buy before I think about it.
#1. Shiny Objects Just Distract You From Your Goals
Shiny objects offer shortcuts that don’t exist. There’s no one way to success.
Success happens with hard work, a plan, and a little bit of luck.
Get-rich-quick schemes usually end up hurting someone. And while these e-courses, webinars, e-books and cheat sheets are great, legitimate products, if you aren’t ready for them, they will just cost you money.
Set Goals by Recognizing Where You are in Your Business.
Don’t get sucked in by the promise of a shortcut.
You can avoid buying the next shiny object that doesn’t fit your business by knowing where you are in your business. If your email list is small or non-existent, then you do not need to buy an e-course on selling to your email list.
When you recognize where you are, you’ll recognize the products that will help, not distract. So you can instantly delete the shiny object emails. You won’t waste your time or your money.
Instead, you’ll focus on what really needs to be done. And you’ll be able to actually use what you buy and download, rather than just letting it fill up your inbox.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 4 Easy Strategies You Need to Beat Procrastination
#2. Shiny Objects Make You Feel Inadequate
Confidence in your business and your product is a huge part of successful online entrepreneurship.
But if you buy the next great product promising you the expert secrets to whatever, and it doesn’t fit your business, you’ll just end up doubting yourself.
And you’ll get distracted from what you really need to be doing.
Set goals by determining exactly where you want to be.
When you get clear on what you want to do, everything else becomes easy. So if this expert’s message isn’t in line with what you need, you can easily unsubscribe, without guilt. You’ll avoid distractions in your business.
There’s no secret in online entrepreneurship.
We are all unique people, and while you and I might be trying to do very similar things, the way we do them will be different. And that means there’s plenty of customers – and cash – to go around.
As long as you know what your ultimate purpose is, you can easily set your goals, and find only those that fit your needs. You won’t be chasing the shiny objects.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 39 Amazing Quotes to Boost Your Confidence Right Now
#3. Shiny Objects Prey on Your Fear of Missing Out
Every time I drove by a little gift store in my town, they had a “Store closing” sign on the window. Clearance stickers plastered the displays and posters declared liquidation prices and “everything must go”. The only problem was – the store had been “closing” for years.
It’s a common, yet deceptive, marketing tactic. Tell your potential customer that your product is a limited time offer, and you get more sales. Why? Because people are afraid of missing out on something, whether they think they need it or not. The little gift store that was “closing” was attempting to lure customers in by making them think that if they didn’t purchase it now, they would never again have the opportunity.
Set goals by having a business plan.
When you have a plan, you can know exactly what you need when you need it. You won’t be distracted by every shiny object that crosses your path because not every product you see will fit within your plan. You can then ignore the “door closing” labels because your plan determines what you buy, not the fear of missing out.
Your business plan should be specific and detailed. It should spell out exactly what you plan to do in your business, how you will make your money, and who you will help.
When you know the who, what, where, how and why, you will know when it’s the right time to get that next helpful product. Your purchase will be planned, not panicked.
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#4. Shiny Objects Will Always Be Around
My DropBox, Google Drive, and computer folders are full of shiny objects. To be honest, I’m not even sure what I have buried in all those folders. I’m sure there are some excellent products in there that could probably help me in my business now. But because I got them when I wasn’t ready, I don’t know about them. What a waste of space and money!
There’s no such thing as “never again” when it comes to business. Like my perpetually closing neighborhood gift store, it doesn’t make business sense to stop offering a product that is the core of the business. If you really want that specific product, but you know you aren’t ready for it, just be patient. It will come around again, and you’ll be in a position to actually purchase at that time.
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Set goals by determining your next steps.
If only I’d had known this before I wasted all that money and effort on shiny objects! When I know what my next step is in my business, I can focus on just that. If my next step is to grow my brand awareness, I’m not going to be distracted by Pinterest e-course shiny objects. Because if they don’t fit into my action steps, I won’t buy.
Knowing exactly what my next steps are will help me avoid shiny object syndrome. Building an online business and making money involves a series of baby steps, scaling from beginning to growing to expanding.
When you know where you are, where you’re going and what your plan is, you can figure out the next step to get there. And then you’ll only get the products that help you with the next step, rather than all the shiny objects that look vaguely helpful.
#5. Shiny Objects Aren’t Always Helpful
We buy shiny objects because we think they will help us build our business. After all, the guru pitching their product does it sincerely to help others solve problems. But like all of us, they can’t always throw darts and hit the targets exactly. Advertising is like fishing with a net – not everything is what you’re supposed to catch.
Set achievable goals by staying in your lane.
It’s easy to get caught up in the lure of shiny objects. But in order to even be distracted by them, you have to be able to see them. And you can’t see them if you’re focused on your part of the sea, not what everyone else is doing.
Comparison is one of the chief ways we get caught up in shiny object syndrome. You’re comparing your real life and business with someone else’s highlight reel. But when you stay in your lane by focusing on your goals, what you are doing and need to be doing, you won’t have time to be wondering what someone else is doing.
👉🏽RELATED POST: How To Overcome Your #1 Struggle As An Entrepreneur
#6. Shiny Objects Don’t Help You Succeed
Shiny objects distract you. They make you feel inadequate, they prey on your wallet and your time, and they shift your focus to what other people are doing. And they make you doubt your own business. Simply put, shiny object syndrome wastes your time, your money and your hard work.
Setting goals help you succeed.
Set goals in line with your plan.
- Start by recognizing where you are in the business cycle. Are you just starting your business? Are you growing it? Or are you ready to expand and scale it up?
- Then figure out where you’re going. Your plan will remind you of why you started your business in the first place, so it should be easy to figure out where you should go. When you know the why, you can know the how and where pretty quickly.
- Once you know where you are and where you’re going with your business, you can determine what your next step is. It’s hard to be distracted by shiny object syndrome when you have a clear idea of what’s next in your business.
- Finally, focus on your unique position in the market, rather than watching what everyone else is doing. Stay in your lane! You can’t get distracted by shiny objects when you keep your eyes in front of you and don’t let them wander around. Then the only eBooks and eCourses you’ll buy are the ones that match up exactly with what you’re doing. And the only emails you’ll have in your inbox are the ones that fit inside your lane.
Setting goals make shiny object syndrome impossible.
When you have a plan, you know what you’re doing, even when you don’t know what to do. And all the feel-good, impossible promises of the experts can’t distract you from your goals.
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Last Updated on July 24, 2024
Cherri Megasko says
Oh, my! You have hit the nail on the head with this one. I face this every day with my blog. I hear other bloggers talking about this widget or that app. And I ALWAYS wonder if I’m missing out by not using them.
Sarah says
It’s a very common fear! But that’s why having a plan is so important. If you know where you’re at, where you’re going and what your next step is, you’ll know instantly (well maybe not instantly) whether or not that fancy course or webinar is for you.
Laura says
Goal setting is the key to success in my opinion. I’ve never heard of “shiny object syndrome” but I totally get it. It’s so easy to get sucked in! I’ve been guilty of falling prey to FOMO. And I particularly like what you said about staying in your own lane. Great tips!
Sarah says
Thank you!
Joely Smith says
I LOVE this article!!! It is so true there are so many “learn to be a success” or “get rich NOW” courses and such out there. The fact is, THAT is how “they” are getting rich! By selling us their shiny objects!
What I do is if I come across one that peeks my interest I do 2 things – first I bookmark it. I do NOT buy anything and let it simmer for a few weeks.
THEN I use our friend GOOGLE!
For every shiny object out there – there is something FREE on the web that can help just as much when we do our own research!
Then I can go delete that bookmark lol
Sarah says
Often, you’re right. There’s probably something free out there. But do consider whether the support the paid product gives you would be worth the fee. Most of us work very hard to create the right products for our customers, and we often offer way more value for the price than even a free product.
Just make sure you only invest money and time when you can actually use the help. Don’t buy blind!
Shelley R King says
My business partner and I have always had a very strict business plan. It’s so strict that it’s hard to wander off. We are very good at deciding if something fits in that plan. I do have to say i’m glad the are two of us to decide.
Sarah says
That’s awesome that you’ve mastered this! So many new entrepreneurs get caught up in FOMO.
It definitely helps to have someone to bounce ideas off of. That support is invaluable.
Leah says
These are great tips. I have been blogging for 10 years and I think I’ve done really well not giving in to wanting all the pretty shiny things. For me, setting goals has been key.
Sarah says
As long as you know what you want, it’s hard to get distracted from that!
Censie Sawyer says
I would consider myself pretty driven and I do not get off task too often. I like a good goal and a great list to work on. As long as I have my list for the days/weeks/months/year then I am good to go. These are some great things to consider when trying to get out of that distraction.
Sarah says
I agree! Staying in your lane, on your own goals and your own list is often what we forget to do. But when we stay focused, nothing can distract, right?
Nikki says
Oh yes, it seems like some people spend more time reading book after book than actually working on their project or goal. Don’t get me wrong, research is great, but at some point you have to jump in there and actually get started! Plus, it seems like every free book or course says something different, so you’re left feeling like you’ll never get it. Just dive in, find your own way and style, then start checking out a few “shiny objects.”
Sarah says
Definitely! We can get stuck in learning mode and forget about actually doing something with all that info.
That’s one of the reasons why I started my business. I wanted to make it a lot easier for those who want to start businesses to actually get started, by keeping things simple. My goal for my clients is that they will outgrow me!
Catalina says
Setting goals helps you succeed. I love this! And it is so true! Sometimes we think that something else, like a course can help us, but the action is what is important.
Sarah says
It sometimes seems too simple, doesn’t it? Set a goal, work it, and achieve it. Keep doing that over and over again, and soon you’ll be amazed at what you’ve accomplished. We can get so distracted by all the “shortcuts” that we end up further behind than if we’d just stuck to our own goals.
Bites for Foodies says
I completely agree that these ‘shiny objects’ play into our far of missing out on something! I’ve signed up for so many workshops, seminars, and webinars. As much as they were well organized, none of them gave me that ‘A-ha” moment! I definitely think a personal business plan is more effective.
Sarah says
Absolutely. And a business plan doesn’t have to be complicated or 20 pages long. It’s simply answering the basic who/what/how questions about your business.
Elizabeth O says
This was really interesting, I definitely think shiny object syndrome is a big thing when setting up a new business. Thankfully you have given really great advice here which will help people out.
Sarah says
Thank you! My whole mission is to make starting a business easier, so I’m glad you found this helpful.
Aileen Adalid says
Haha, that introduction hit me because I’m totally like this! Not only on being easily distracted in everyday life but on my goals as well. I really need to learn to stick to something and your tips here would really help!
Sarah says
The struggle is real!! Glad you found this helpful 🙂
Madi Rowan says
This is so real!! As a new blogger, I totally fell into this trap regarding the freebies & ebooks. I would find something, it wouldn’t work out, & then I would find something else…the process goes on & on! You gave some great advice, thank you!
Sarah says
You have no idea how many of those ebooks, pdfs, workbooks, ecourses I have stored in my dropbox, that I never even looked at!!
Now I have my plan, and now I know that even if it sounds good, but isn’t what i’m focusing on right now, there’s no point. It’s a waste of space and hangs on my brain as incomplete, just nagging at me. So I don’t go there. I stick to my stuff!
Stacy Karyn says
I love this!! Shiny object syndrome is definitely not an easy thing to beat, but I think being aware of it is half the battle. Thanks for the great read!
Sarah says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you liked it!
Marni says
Ugh this is sooooo me! However, not only are they shiny…I love to learn! I get sucked down so many rabbit holes it is not even funny. Thank you for this!
Sarah says
Rabbit holes are so fun aren’t they? But they don’t help you grow your business, or make you money. But when you set a goal and make a plan, you can be always learning, but this time it’s focused learning and helps you!
Reesa Lewandowski says
This is one of the best posts I have read about success. Thank you. If we just spent more time honing on what we are already working on instead of the next best thing, we’d be to our goals in no time.
Sarah says
OMG thank you so much!! I’m so glad you found this helpful!
Evelyn says
Thanks Sarah, for reining us entrepreneurs in with these Truths! Goal setting and focusing will surely help keep these shiny objects at bay! Really enjoyed this post and grateful for the reminder to stay focused and on track =). Thank you!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Evelyn,
We all need to hear this! I feel like EVERY entrepreneur goes through this phase of over-eating. I wish someone had warned me in the beginning!
tachira wiltshire says
I have shiny objects syndrome period. You wrote this post just for me. I remember when I first started blogging I downloaded every ebook every cheatsheet everything I swear under the sun because I felt like I was missing something. You know what I mean that one tip or trick or that one big secret that would make my life extraordinary. There are no shortcuts to success. It takes dedication and hard work and staying focused. Something I definitely need to work on.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Tachira,
Isn’t it just the best when you find a post that’s for you. Haha, me too, seriously hoarded knowledge, even information that I didn’t need. I think part of the beginning stage is the excitement, you want to know everything, even when you don’t need to.
Staying focused is so key! We can’t do it all at once, but if we stick with it, one day we will get to it all… eventually.
Heather McMechan says
I’ve actually had issues with going after the shiny objects all the time. Thank you for sharing this piece. It put some things into perspective.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Heather,
You’re not alone in this! Try and stay focused on what you need now, not maybe one day later.
Dalene says
What a syndrome! This is a very enlightening post for growing bloggers especially. It can be so easy to go for all these shinning things with the hope of goodies right away but that doesn’t come to happen as soon. I believe in faithfulness with patience; I mean, doing what has to be done with the idea of patience in mind. Totally loved reading this!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Dalene,
Isn’t it though! I so agree with you, Sarah post is so on point. I really wish I could jump in a time machine and read it two years ago.
Patience is everything, all things in good time. Stay with it!
Ana Ojha says
This post is an eye-opener and a great reminder! At times, I get distracted by the shiny office syndrome and unable to focus on my goals but we need to keep in mind that all that glitters is not gold and likewise as you said, shiny objects gives us the false impression of fewer hurdles in our path but we need to stay in line and act, thinking about pros and cons related to any situation!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Ana,
Wonderful! Sarah did a great job on telling us how it really is with shiny objects. Me too, I get that way usually when I’m impatient and feeling like I’m behind.
Love how you’ve put it, just stay in line and weigh our options level-headedly. No rash, or rushed decisions.
Joy says
This is such an insightful post! I felt like I was reading my life story lol. Thanks for sharing your unique take. I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I will definitely be bookmarking this post for future reference.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Joy,
So glad you enjoyed Sarah’s post. Right there with you, it really shines a light on something we probably would ignore if we could. Isn’t is so relatable? Let’s focus on what we need now and achieve our goals.