Shiny Object Syndrome

Do you ever find yourself flitting from new idea to new idea in your business? Are you changing your focus based on the latest industry fads or trends? Do you find that you have started many projects but none are brought to completion? If you answered yes to any of those. Then you, my friend, may be afflicted with Shiny Object Syndrome. How do I know? I too am a victim of this dreaded affliction.

Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS), a familiar business buzzword, happens when you are always attracted to the BBD - the bigger,better deal. You invest your money and time into a new idea or project before determining if it aligns with your vision and mission for you business, your family and yourself. In the end, nothing gets accomplished except the steady depletion of your resources.

Not to be confused with being too busy or having a lot on your to-do list. SOS is more like a form of entrepreneurial ADD. Whenever that new shiny object is dangled in front of you, you jump towards it but you never quite reach it. (You can also view it as the carrot being dangled in front of the horse and carriage.)

SOS can lead to frustration, disappointment and burn-out because you rarely achieve the results you desire. So, what's the remedy? Well, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that once you contract SOS, you always have it. It's the downside of being a creative being - you just can't stop the ideas from flowing. The good news, however, is that you can send Shiny Object Syndrome into remission with a few simple strategies.

1. Know your mission and your vision. I cannot stress this point enough. Be sure your know why you are in business and where you want your business to go.
2. Align your actions with your mission and vision. Are you spending your time, energy and money on actions that support your reason for being in business. Will these actions take you where you want to go?
3. Question everything. Whenever a new idea or project presents itself, ask yourself the following questions: Is this action best suited for your business? If yes, is it best suited for your business right now? Do my customers/clients what this "shiny object"? Do I have the resources (time, money and energy) to implement and maintain this idea? What do I have to give up to do this? If, when you answer these questions, you find that this "shiny object" is doable and aligns with your mission and vision, then by all means go for it. If you find that it doesn't work for you, file it away for future questioning, or even be open to sharing it with another entrepreneur who can use it.

Entrepreneurs - especially mom-entrepreneurs - are generally very creative. By no means, should you stop the flow of creativity. Just be sure to use some restraint as those ideas continue to unleash into your chaos!

As always, in chaos and creativity,
JWS