The Cost of Distraction: How Shiny Object Syndrome Can Derail Your Goals

We live in a fast-paced world. There are so many things vying for our attention. Staying focused seems difficult while innovation feels exciting.

Chasing every new “shiny object” can come at a huge cost by spreading yourself too thin with frenetic activity:

• Starting a new project to satisfy the need for something new and interesting puts follow through in the backseat.
• Staying on track to achieve your goals to achieve your professional or personal goals becomes impossible.

For example, my friend (I’ll call him “Weldon” to protect the guilty) enjoys the adventure of travel. He has been to interesting places in the U.S. and abroad. His traveling companions report he doesn’t slow down to enjoy the place he spent planning to visit because he is already planning and thinking about the next adventure. 

How to Identify Shiny Object Syndrome 

The tendency to be easily distracted by new and exciting opportunities or activities describes Shiny Object Syndrome. If you are a victim of this condition, you have a need to stay busy. It’s the busyness that eases anxiety, pain, and stress.

For a promise of quick wins, solutions to challenges, and fresh starts, you chase the next shiny object. This powerful distraction is a wolf in sheep’s clothing because you feel scattered and unproductive despite your activity. You divert time, energy, and resources from what really matters.

Chasing the Next Shiny Object Syndrome Is Expensive

• Reputation suffers—Others see you as unreliable. Whether in professional relationships or personal ones, people do not feel they can count on you to deliver what you promise.
• Teamwork damaged—The loose ends of unfinished projects frustrate colleagues who rely on you. When you consistently don’t hold up your end of the bargain, others feel annoyed.
• Unhappy customers—Customers count on you to meet deadlines and when you do not, they take their business to someone who does. This impacts your revenue.
• Impact on health and wellbeing—Managing multiple unfinished tasks elevates stress. Lack of clarity about what is important leads to frustration. No sense of satisfaction or completion leads to burnout.
• Distraction from long term opportunities—Today’s shiny object might not align with your important long-range strategies. The lure of something new distracts you from the focused attention required to carry through on long-range strategies.

The Root of the Problem

Using busyness as a distraction from pain or unpleasantness is an effective strategy. This can stem from childhood when the need for constant sources of excitement, pleasure, and self-nurturing was present. The fear of missing out on life fosters this behavior. Spending any time on unpleasantness is a waste of life. And, who wants to miss out on life?

Finding a Solution to Overcome Shiny Object Syndrome

Be aware that you are using busyness to dampen the discomfort of anxiety and pain. If you have unfinished tasks or projects, you could be using the busyness strategy to cope with discomfort. Notice when you start a new thing before you finish what you are working on currently.

1. Notice—Give yourself credit for making this observation. Notice without judging yourself for this ingrained habit. It has developed over a lengthy period.
2. Clarify Your Vision—Use your vision as a compass to evaluate how new opportunities align with your objectives. Define your long-term goals and priorities.
3. Make thoughtful decisions—How does any new idea …
   • Align with my current goals?
   • Impact on my time, energy, and resources?
   • Move me closer to my vision or further from it?
4. Practice Discipline—Focus on what matters most. Cultivate the habit of saying “no” to distractions. Resist the urge to chase every new opportunity.
5. Place Limits on Exploring New Ideas—Invest the most time on executing existing priorities.
6. Course Correct as Needed—Review and reflect to evaluate your progress and commitments. Adjust as required.

The Impact When the Leader Chases the Next Shiny Object

Early in my consulting practice, the entrepreneur of a thriving company hired me. He had built a company with multiple locations. He wanted to improve the accountability of the team to corporate goals. The CEO and his team of nine managers participated in the project.

It soon became apparent that the team frequently experienced new methods and management courses with their leader. While no one outwardly said it, the vibe was clear: “Oh, no. He’s got another new idea!”

It was no surprise that follow through on action steps leading to any goals was halfhearted. The leader had inadvertently created a culture of poor accountability because the managers were following his lead. He had hired an outside resource to solve a problem he had unwittingly fostered. While we had some success with the team, the CEO could not recognize he was part of the problem and therefore, didn’t see a need to change his behavior.

Overcoming Distractions for Results

Succumbing to the distractions of the shiny object syndrome derails important goals. Someone who constantly looks for new ways to stay busy has strengths. They are energetic, curious, and spontaneous. Their vitality gives energy to others. They are open to innovative ideas.

However, overusing these strengths becomes a weakness. If you recognize yourself in the next shiny object syndrome, congratulations on the new awareness … and there’s good news:

Success is about choosing the right opportunities and seeing them through to completion. Stay the course and you’ll discover the results of focus. You can create new patterns of thinking to create higher performance, enrich relationships, and improve wellbeing.

Use this link to schedule a discovery session with me. It’s free and I’ll show you how to take inspiration to action for results … https://calendly.com/annelliottcoachforleaders/45minute.