{"id":2608,"date":"2018-09-10T08:58:44","date_gmt":"2018-09-10T13:58:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging-ucs.com\/tina\/?p=2608"},"modified":"2018-09-10T17:02:31","modified_gmt":"2018-09-10T22:02:31","slug":"the-shiny-object-syndrome-how-to-manage-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging-ucs.com\/tina\/the-shiny-object-syndrome-how-to-manage-it\/","title":{"rendered":"The “Shiny Object Syndrome” – How to Manage It"},"content":{"rendered":"

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MANAGING THE “SHINY OBJECT SYNDROME”<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

So, what exactly does that mean?<\/span><\/p>\n

Managing the Shiny Object Syndrome<\/strong> is often the key to getting both your focus and your sanity back! <\/span><\/p>\n

First, let’s start with how this happens. It happens to all of us from time to time, but for many of us, it’s a constant battle. I know, I’m one of those that constantly battles to stay focused.<\/span><\/p>\n

WHAT IS A “SHINY OBJECT”?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

I define a “shiny object” as anything that gets and holds your attention long enough to disrupt your focus and direction and take you off course. <\/span>It’s like a train derailing and never making it to its destination. The shiny object is something that looks better, more fun, more stimulating, and more rewarding than the task, project, or issue at hand. <\/span><\/p>\n

It’s soooo easy to move toward the shiny object – it’s new, it’s pretty, and it keeps us distracted from what we don’t want to do at the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

WHY IS DISTRACTION SO DESIRABLE?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Distraction is fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

Distraction seem easier.<\/span><\/p>\n

Distraction gives us new energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Distraction delays the inevitable.<\/span><\/p>\n

You know the drill – you start to tackle something that you’ve been dreading, or something that is extremely difficult and time-consuming. That’s when the shiny object syndrome takes over.<\/span><\/p>\n

[Tweet “The shiny object syndrome takes over when you need a break from what you don’t want to do.”]<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever looks more promising, more fun, or less difficult gets your attention, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember studying for my CPA exam. It was such a challenge for me – one that I had not anticipated would be so hard. I was working during the day and studying at night. There were never enough hours. I should have been studying every minute of every day. But what did I do? I cleaned like a tornado. Every nook and cranny of my house was spotless. I rearranged cabinets and the pantry when they didn’t need it. When someone reached out to grab a quick bite or a movie, I was IN!<\/span><\/p>\n

I got it done, but those distractions did not help one bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

HOW THIS CAN CARRY THROUGH TO YOUR LIFE OR BUSINESS<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Whether you have a clear vision for your life, or a robust business plan for your business, those shiny objects can sure get in the way of you achieving your goals. By the time you realize what has happened, you have usually lost a lot of time. That same behavior I had when I was studying for my CPA exam carried forward into my life as a business owner. I had always worked for someone else, so the structure provided by having to answer to someone else was a blessing for me. It kept my shiny object syndrome in check.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once I started working for myself, it felt like a free-for-all. I could do whatever I wanted, on my schedule, on my terms. The distractions started coming, and I allowed them in – freely. It wasn’t until I learned to control my response to them that my business started to flourish.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s even worse when you have others working for and with you. They look to you for direction, and if you’re distracted, they aren’t sure what to do or what they are working toward.<\/span><\/p>\n

[Tweet “When I learned to manage my shiny object syndrome, my business began to flourish.”]<\/span><\/p>\n

HOW YOU CAN MANAGE IT<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

There are ways to get this under control. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few suggestions you might find helpful…<\/span><\/p>\n