Ditching Distractions: Conquering the Shiny Object Syndrome to Achieve Your Goals

In the past month, I experienced a significant distraction that diverted my attention from my pursuit of completing my next book. Although the distraction was necessary, it was draining and left me with little energy or time for writing. This reminded me of a John Lennon song called “Beautiful Boy,” which I heard in the car yesterday. In the song, Lennon says, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

This distraction got me thinking about the Shiny Object Syndrome. The acronym SOS is spot on! For those unfamiliar, SOS is a distraction fueled by a belief that there’s always something new and exciting to pursue. Unfortunately, this often comes at the expense of our current goals, plans, and projects. It’s like that feeling we had as kids, always wanting that next new toy.

Many of us may be suffering from Shiny Object Syndrome without realizing it. It’s that constant urge to chase after the latest trends. Be it technology, management techniques, fashion, food, or whatever shiny object catches our attention. 

There’s nothing inherently wrong with being open to trying new things. However, if you find yourself quickly losing interest and constantly chasing after the next big thing, it might be a sign that you suffer from SOS. This can become a major issue, keeping you from pursuing your passions and achieving your goals. 

Business entrepreneurs are especially prone to this syndrome, as they have a higher tolerance for risk and trying out new ideas. Most of us are susceptible to it because we’re social creatures. We like to go along with the crowd. The key is to be aware of this tendency and consciously focus on what truly matters to us.

Research suggests that SOS tends to rear its head when we’re facing a big challenge or project. The stress of the situation can make us crave an easy fix. And the quickest way to find that fix is by dropping what we’re doing and chasing after something new. It might feel like a breath of fresh air, but it can quickly become a pattern of giving up whenever things get tough.

So, you may have experienced the shiny object syndrome if you identify with any of the following.

• You have a list of business ideas, but nothing gets executed.
• You constantly start new goals but never see them through to the end.
• You jump from one course to another, drawn by the wild claims of each course.

Now, I get it. It’s tempting to escape and take on a new challenge or project when overwhelmed. I’ve been there. I’ve done that. I’ve got the T-shirt. But in the long run, this quick fix won’t help us grow. Or overcome the challenge at hand. Instead, we must persevere and stay committed to our goals, even when the going gets tough. It’s not always easy, but it’s the only way to succeed and achieve our dreams. So, let’s stay focused and stay the course. Even when it feels like the whole world is conspiring against us.

A great example of Shiny Object Syndrome in popular culture is the character of Andy Sachs in the movie “The Devil Wears Prada.”

At the movie’s beginning, Andy is a recent college graduate who lands a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly, the editor-in-chief of a prestigious fashion magazine. Initially, Andy is focused on proving herself at her job and building her career in the fashion industry.

However, as the movie progresses, she becomes increasingly distracted by the allure of the fashion world – the clothes, the parties, the social status. She starts to chase after every shiny trend and opportunity that comes her way, even if it means compromising her values. And even neglecting her responsibilities at work.

In the end, Andy realizes the damage that Shiny Object Syndrome has caused in her life and makes the tough decision to prioritize her career and goals over the fleeting pleasures of the fashion industry.

This is a relatable example because many of us have experienced it, whether it’s a new job opportunity, a fad diet, or the latest tech gadget. It’s easy to get distracted by these things and lose sight of our long-term goals. But like Andy, we can learn to recognize when SOS comes knocking and choose to stay focused on what matters.

Every day, we face many choices, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of choosing what’s easiest or most convenient. But often, these choices don’t align with our true potential or what we truly desire. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to consider the bigger picture.

But let’s not beat ourselves up about it – we’re only human! We all have moments of weakness and distraction. The key is to recognize when we’re falling into these traps and consciously choose the path that will lead us to be our best selves.

Here’s your challenge: Take a moment to reflect on your choices and goals. Are you choosing the easy route or pushing yourself towards something greater? Commit yourself to choosing the path that leads to growth and fulfillment, even when it’s not the easiest choice.

With a little effort and determination, we can reach new heights and become the best version of ourselves.

Please do not hesitate to drop me a line if I can assist.

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By the way, have you read Unlocking the Huge Potential of Small: The Power of Small?