3 Ways To Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome

Being an entrepreneur requires a different kind of mindset than working a normal job does. Creativity, ingenuity, dedication, drive, determination are all words that I think of off of the top of my head when listing the traits of what it takes to venture into this world.

Unfortunately, a few of these traits can lead us down a troublesome road, if you don’t learn how to deal with it. I was a bit surprised when I found out that there was an actual widely used term for it.

It’s called The Shiny Object Syndrome, and has most likely happened to us all at some point in our entrepreneurial careers.

Among Network Marketers I see it quite often. As a matter of fact, I believe there are one of two main reasons why people quit their Network Marketing companies.

#1 - They aren’t making any money

#2 - They develop Shiny Object Syndrome

While not making any money is probably the biggest reason anyone ever quits or gives up on their business, there are several factors that can play into the reason people don’t make any money. The biggest of those factors could very well be chasing shiny objects.

The Problem

The problem is that you aren’t focused on seeing one thing through long enough before you are focused on something else, or the next big thing. For Network Marketers, realistically, it’s more about moving on to the next Direct Sales company or product before you give yourself a chance to make some money with the current one.

When this happens, who do we tend to blame, or how do we rationalize the move?

I think it normally goes like this in your head. “Wow, this really looks interesting. This is exciting. I wish I would have seen this before I joined my current company. Besides, I’m not going to make any money with this product anyway, because no one wants to buy it. I can totally sell this new product, though, and it’s more my thing”.

Sound familiar at all?

We blame the company and the product for our own failures as a way to rationalize moving on to something different. Not that trying something new is a bad thing, but if you’re jumping around and losing focus on what you’re currently working on and never seeing anything through, then it becomes a bad thing.

How can you ever master one thing if you are spreading yourself across many? I’ve been there and still need to work on, and remind myself to stay focused on my long term goals.

3 ways to help overcome Shiny Object Syndrome

1) Work Your Plan - Before you even dive into trying to get leads and promoting your business, you should have a plan. Your plan should include what your realistic goals are, setting a budget, a method on how you’re going to generate leads or grow your business, how you’re going to track your actions, and how you’re going to communicate with prospects and customers.

Having all of these items defined, and mapped out, will help you stay organized. Planning on how you are going to go about doing each will keep you from winging it and maybe making some of the most costly mistakes.

If you work your plan, chances are that you will also stick to it better. In working the plan, you’ll be too occupied to consider focusing on something else because you have an actionable list to focus on.

2) Set Measurable Goals - First of all, when setting goals they should always

be measurable. I’ve used the S.M.A.R.T technique for years and it has always worked perfectly for goal setting. The one thing that I have learned, is that writing down your goals really does help you focus on completing or obtaining them. Again, keeping your focus on something that is attainable and actionable should help prevent the mind from wandering off.

3) Use Tools - I could have easily named this one “Eliminate Distractions”, but since I wanted to focus on how to eliminate them, I thought I would immediately mention the tools.

To keep from being distracted, it’s good to use Time Management tools and techniques, to ensure that you are making the most use of your time. It’s too easy to get caught up with reading Social Media posts, emails, blogs, videos, and the list goes on. There is some really nice software on the market that helps you stay focused on your task. If you focus on your task, then you won’t have time to notice those shiny objects that draw you in.

Along those same lines, use a calendar to help you plan out your days. Again, the theme is staying on task and staying focused long enough not to get distracted.

While there aren’t any guaranteed ways to keep you from chasing shiny objects, taking these steps, and steps like these should help. In my experience, it’s all about keeping your mind on what’s in front of you.

You have to be willing to stick something out long enough to at least get sufficient data on whether it’s working or not.

More so, you have to be willing to give yourself a chance to earn revenue from your business. To me, jumping from company to company in Network Marketing is a form of quitting. Growing a business is hard work and takes discipline. You owe it to yourself to give yourself the best chance to succeed.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas on more ways that you can prevent Shiny Object Syndrome.