Have you ever heard of the Shiny Object Syndrome? It’s the tendency for somebody to chase one thing new, be it a brand new concept, development, or purpose, fairly than to remain targeted on what they’re doing.
The conduct is much like a baby who’s interested in something that’s shiny and new. I’ve an 18-month-old nephew and he’s continually interested in something that strikes or makes a sound. As he approaches one thing that he has by no means seen earlier than, he’s intrigued at first however loses curiosity because the merchandise loses its novelty to him. He’s then interested in the subsequent new shiny factor, solely to lose curiosity after some time and search the subsequent shiny object!
You recognize that you’ve skilled the shiny object syndrome when you can relate to the next:
On the coronary heart of it, the problem with the shiny object syndrome is distraction. Being continually drawn to new concepts and instruments, and abandoning vital duties within the course of.
Once you’re the most effective in your area, you take pleasure in vital features over others — whether or not it’s financial features, model title recognition, or alternatives (Picture: Private Excellence)
However when you’re continually interested in shiny objects, you by no means have the possibility to grow to be nice at one thing. You’re all the time climbing the training curve for every new factor you chase. (Picture: Jan Sullivan)
Perceive that new doesn’t imply higher. To be clear, addressing the shiny object syndrome shouldn’t be about ignoring each new factor. In as we speak’s world, it is very important communicate with the newest traits and updates. Nonetheless, when all you do is observe each new software and concept, you waste your time chasing traits fairly than getting issues performed. Perceive that new doesn’t imply higher. Simply because somebody simply launched one thing new doesn’t mechanically imply that it’s higher.
Study to see previous the hype.
There are continually new, shiny objects within the on-line world. New startups, new merchandise, new providers. On social media, seeing raving critiques creates a mob mentality the place you are feeling the necessity to bounce in and observe what others are doing.
However see previous the hype. Whereas folks might brag about how nice a product/service is, what’s good for others will not be good for you. Though an organization can promise the world on what their product can do, many startups, concepts include birthing pains and points. Somewhat than bounce headfirst into one thing, query the way it suits in together with your priorities.
Assess its match together with your work (and life).
Earlier than leaping into a brand new concept or software, assess its match together with your work and life. Don’t observe what others are doing simply because it’s the most well liked factor now — it’s not sustainable. Ask your self,
Is that this what I really want?
Will it add worth to my work and life?
What are the professionals vs. the cons of doing this?
Solely do one thing if it’s what you want and it provides real worth to your work and life. Simply because others are doing one thing doesn’t imply you must.
Enhance your signal-to-noise ratio. One of the simplest ways to handle distraction shouldn’t be by self-discipline, however by managing the sources of distraction. If you find yourself a part of teams and newsletters that hold recommending new merchandise, new choices, it disrupts your focus and practice of thought. It’s important to cope with the psychological load of trying up every advice, assessing if it’s good for you, and making a call about it. This is named cognitive load, one thing that I discussed in my How To Say No To Others podcast
.
As an alternative of filtering out noise which takes up treasured psychological power, take away low-quality data sources. Consider your social media information feeds, Fb group memberships, electronic mail subscriptions, and RSS feed subscriptions. What’s your noise-to-signal ratio for every channel? Noise refers to data that’s irrelevant to you, whereas sign refers to data that’s helpful and related. A excessive noise-to-signal ratio means the channel has a excessive proportion of unhelpful, irrelevant ideas (noise) vs. useful ideas (sign). Unsubscribe from teams and newsletters with a excessive noise-to-signal ratio. Get your data from sources with a excessive signal-to-noise ratio as an alternative.
Perceive the idea of switching prices.
Though there are new instruments launched on a regular basis, I solely look into a brand new software when (a) it has one thing that my present instruments can’t present, and/or (b) there are very robust critiques from a number of sources. In any other case, I merely take a cursory look at what’s accessible and return to my work priorities.
One motive is that while you store regardless that you don’t want something, you’re invariably going to finish up shopping for one thing. The second motive is switching prices, that are invisible prices incurred on account of switching to one thing new. Switching prices might be financial. They are often the time taken to be taught a model new system. They will also be the psychological value of adjusting your focus. Once you hold switching to new concepts, new initiatives, and new instruments, you might be simply incurring switching prices all day lengthy and getting nothing performed. At all times issue such prices in when you’re enticed by a brand new concept or software.
Undertake a “wait and see” strategy. Once you’re not sure, it helps to undertake a “wait and see” strategy. With fast technological adjustments as we speak, many instruments are likely to grow to be out of date
after a few years. For instance, many WordPress plugins are not supported or have died out. Merchandise that declare to be the most effective typically get changed by higher merchandise one to 2 years later.
My private strategy after I really feel 50/50 about one thing is to attend and see. If it’s a brand new software, I take the possibility to take a look at the corporate’s background, preview the software, and assess if I really want it. For brand new on-line instruments, there are sometimes integration points and unknown bugs, and it may be expensive to be an early adopter if you have already got a reside enterprise with clients. Until that is one thing that I would like to make use of now and I’ve no different various, I discover that “ready and seeing” a way more prudent strategy.
Differentiate between shiny objects and actual alternatives.
Final however not least, be taught to distinguish between shiny objects and actual alternatives. Shiny objects are issues that look good and thrilling, however are actually distractions on the finish of the day. There are numerous new merchandise lately that look promising however don’t add worth to your work and life. By the point you might be performed with it, you understand you haven’t any want for that software — after which you get distracted by one other shiny object.
Maintain a be careful for actual alternatives — and be ruthless in saying no to shiny objects. Actual alternatives make an actual impression in your work. For instance, instruments that dramatically enhance your workflow. Instruments that aid you develop your online business. Instruments that aid you higher have interaction with clients. Instruments that aid you ship higher services.
Have you ever been distracted by shiny objects? It’s time to get your focus again on. Get clear in your massive rock priorities, make investments your 10,000 hours, and pursue concepts that make an actual change. Let’s get a transfer on and work on our actual priorities! 🙂
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