The latest marketing advice, the latest productivity hack… that next thing, it’s the new shiny object that can be so intriguing! It offers a potential solution, a new way. It shines bright and evokes possibility. So we stop what we’re doing and follow it, wherever it leads. Often, it leads us off track from what we’re currently doing. If you (like me) can be susceptible to shiny object syndrome and find yourself trying something new before you’ve mastered what you’re already working on, then read on, these tips are for you:
1. Keep your eyes on your own work
If you keep your focus on what’s right in front of you, you’re less likely to get distracted by other things that come up. You can easily create this focus by reviewing your goals and plan every week, at least once. Read over your key outcomes and focus on the step in your goals plan that you are currently working on. This will remind you of the importance of what you’re already doing and keep your eyes focused on your own work.
2. Catch and release
This is a good technique you can easily implement. Often the we don’t want to miss out on the potential that the shiny object may hold, whether it’s a solution or an idea. You can still capture the great idea of that shiny object, but the the key is to “catch and release”. What I mean is, capture the idea by noting it in a Dropbox Paper list and then just let it go. Let it sit in the list and think no more of it. It’s still there, you can come back to it later.
3. Unsubscribe
Take a look at all the emails that hit your inbox each week. Do they all relate to your current goals? Are they teaching you one method or many methods to do one thing? More information is not more power, it’s more confusion. You need to simply. eg. If you’re working on marketing, decide on one marketer or marketing technique to follow and unsubscribe from all other emails on marketing.
4. Embrace monogamy
It’s time to commit to your current shiny object for a specific period of time. We often decide on a course of action and, being human, expect results in a short period of time. When this doesn’t happen, we become doubtful and start believing that other options would be better…and off we go to find a shiny object. You need to give your current shiny object a realistic amount of time to come into fruition before moving on. Set a specific amount of time that you will work on your current course of action to give it a good chance to bring you the results.
5. Finish before you start