Shiny New Distraction Syndrome (#2)

Everyone has heard the maxim that “you get the same 24 hours as everyone else.” That’s 100% true, but—and there’s always a but—you probably haven’t heard the truth about how you use your time. 

You waste it!

We waste so much time. While it’s true, there are countless things for us to be distracted with. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, email, sports, that book you keep picking up and putting back down, and on and on the list goes. 

If you’re working on a business (or maybe a new project at work), there’s another BIG distraction out to get you. 

Shiny New Object Syndrome. 

I like to call it something else. Shiny new distraction syndrome. 

Maybe you’re starting a consulting business. Now it needs to have a blog. But who really reads blogs? It needs to be a podcast!

It can’t just be an audio podcast. What about YouTube? Now you need a video podcast. Well, a video podcast is practically a web show. 

There’s nothing wrong with those things. My podcast turned into a streaming show, an eCommerce shop, 100K fans on various social media platforms, and now, a blog. 

Have I given in to shiny new object syndrome? Sometimes, yes. But I’ve also scaled things back when I veered too far off the tracks. 

When you’re building something, you need to keep the main thing the main thing. I used to walk into client’s offices and ask a simple question:

What’s your #1 priority?

Do you know what I’d always get? A long list of things that were all the “top priority.” 

This is, of course, nonsense. There can only be one #1. Not 5 or 10.Not 0 or 2. 

There is only 1 top priority.

It’s fine if you disagree. But only one of us is right here; the other is confused. I don’t often get confused, so hedge your bets appropriately. 

When you fall for the shiny new object, it’s best to be humble and admit you made a mistake, turn around, and go back the way you came. This will cost time and money, plus it often comes with a healthy blow to the ego. 

That’s ok. 

Remember the wisdom of Colin Powell, never position your ego and your opinion so close together that one can’t get shot down without the other.

I hope this is taken as encouragement. I want you to succeed. Build your small business or even your large empire. Just steer clear of the pitfalls. Shiny new object syndrome is one of the sneakiest because it’s disguised as good ideas.

Well-intentioned or not, it is best to put those shiny new objects on a list, plan them out, and see which one makes the most sense for you, your brand, your business, and your plan!

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