How I Overcame Shiny Object Syndrome

If you work for yourself or run your own business, you probably know how easy it is to become distracted from what you are doing. You may be searching for something online or checking your emails when you come across a business idea or product that sounds fantastic and promises you’ll have instant success with minimal effort.

Before you know it, you’ve lost your focus and you find yourself doing something which you should not be doing. This in a nutshell, is the definition of Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) . Perhaps the most significant thing holding you back from being successful online.

When you are building a personal online business, Shiny Object Syndrome represents one of the worst hazards you can come across. It’s all too easy to spend hours chasing rainbows. What you are in fact doing, is wasting your time.

Who Is at Risk from Shiny Object Syndrome?

It’s not only those who are trying to build up a personal online business who are at risk from Shiny Object Syndrome. Almost all of us find it easy to become distracted when we work from home and spend so much of our time online.

I have been working from home since 2017, so I’m only too familiar with the dangers of distraction. During that time, I have developed a couple of strategies for managing my Shiny Object Syndrome.

How to Achieve Better Focus

When it all comes down to it, it’s all about achieving better focus.

The first thing I did was to create my own personal workspace. I got the idea from my friend who is a long-haul pilot. His flight deck is his own space, it is uncluttered apart from the things he needs to fly his aircraft safely.

As a result, I created a minimalist office that allows me to work away from all of the clutter of family life and the over-sized family dog.

On top of that, I set my own hours. Yes, I’m a busy person, and I can easily fill my entire day looking after and nurturing my own personal online business. When I’m working, I don’t let anything disturb me. It may sound harsh, but I even close the door to make sure that others know that I’m working. As a matter of fact, I have told my friends I am not available during certain hours.

Invest in A Desk Top Diary

Yes, I have invested in a paper desktop diary. It is a Filofax system that allows me to set work schedules, make notes, and jot down ideas. Does it work? It’s simple but it works and has given me much more focus.

Note making is an essential part of the process. When you make a note of something, you can move on, and come back to it later. I have found this a great way to work when you want to avoid Shiny Object Syndrome.

And guess what else? Unless I need to use the Internet, I don’t use it. I use Open Office for all of my work, and I then I upload what I have completed during the morning or the afternoon. I found that being online all of the time “felt” distracting and I ended up going in all different directions.

Of course, I still come across ideas that could distract me but I don’t let them. Instead of letting them distract me, I make a note of them, schedule in research time, and go back to them when I am ready to do so.

Above all, it’s important to have a professional attitude. Don’t “go to work” in your home office wearing your pajamas or dressing gown. You don’t need to look like you’re going to a boardroom meeting. Instead, find your own Chief Executive look and take control of your life.

Limit the hours you work and focus on your task. You will be done quicker, make more money, and have more time for your family or other important tasks. Then, if you like, you can chill and enjoy “suffering” from Shiny Object Syndrome without having to worry too much about it.

Try it for a week or two. If you are doing it right, you’ll find that you’ll be more productive, and the result is that you will make more money and become more successful. And you may just want to invest in your own personal Nespresso machine.

Sharing the family coffee making facility with caffeine-addicted family members like mine is not the best idea. Too much time spent in the kitchen chatting about sports and politics is just as distracting as Shiny Object Syndrome.

Now if you’re looking for other ways to overcome SOS and achieve success, John Thornhill shares his wisdom on this plus covers a number of crucial mistakes that could also be holding you back.

Reserve a seat in his “Discover The Simple Formula for Online Success” webinar here > http://bit.ly/thornhill-success-webinar

This is a guest post from Michael Hyndman, if you would like to be considered for a guest post please contact me.