It’s kinda sad when I take an honest, objective look at it…
I have a dozen journals, 300+ notes in Evernote, and hundreds of random documents filled with ideas and big dreams. I would need 10 lifetimes to even start implementing all of the ideas.
I’ve had “THE BIG IDEA THAT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING” at least a hundred times. It’s amazing that my fiancé and my mom still listen to them.
Over the past few months, I realized more and more that I have shiny object syndrome.
I would sit down with my journal in the morning, and like a mad scientist, outline another course, book, business idea, even inventions.
I even tried to rein in my focus by writing what I needed to focus on every day. But guess what happened? Even my focus list would spark new ideas, and I was off on another tangent.
It was exhausting. I really don’t know how I did it all. I went through periods where I recorded 250+ YouTube videos in one year. I wrote one blog post every week for 5+ years. I wrote over 20 books. Forced myself to post on social media every day. With all of that manic effort, the results were… well… disappointing.
None of it was focused. The big picture wasn’t clear. I realized that I never even clearly communicated that I was selling anything, apart from casual mentions here and there.
I was so lost in a whirlwind of frenzied creation that I created an incoherent hodgepodge of random stuff. Everything, even my best creations, got lost in the unfocused mess of the bigger picture.
Now I’m cleaning everything up, letting go of a lot and only focusing on what is in full alignment with my truth (this website is a reflection of that). No more chasing. No more trying to be something I’m not.
Finally, I’ve been able to see the extent of shiny object syndrome, as well as the underlying causes of it and how it affects our lives.
Shiny object syndrome is more common than you think. Most people have it, because it’s a byproduct of our technologically-distracted society.
With this article, I aim to help you realize the distraction traps you’re falling into and live a more effective, fulfilling life.
What is Shiny Object Syndrome?
I define shiny object syndrome as the phenomenon where distraction sabotages progress and clouds fulfillment.
Shiny object syndrome is especially rampant among artists, entrepreneurs and anyone who’s motivated and creative.
Here’s what shiny object syndrome looks like:
- Being busy all the time
- Having new ideas to the point where they’re not implementable
- Obsession with the latest big idea for short periods of time
- Making no measurable progress in the big picture of your business, art or life
- Constantly chasing and forcing things
- Starting a million things but following through on little to none
Do any of those sound like you? I’ve seen all of those within myself and many other people.
Even more, our society creates a feedback loop which exacerbates shiny object syndrome. Here’s how:
- Constant distraction – Social media, television, email, texts…etc.
- Hyper-consumerism
- Sensationalism – All media tries to scream louder than the next to get your attention (whether it’s news, products or business opportunities)
- Glorifying busyness – How many people do you know say, “I’m busy” all the time?
- Hype about everything – Everything is the “latest and greatest”
- Opportunity overload – Infinite opportunity (makes it hard to commit to one)
- Paradox of choice – Infinite choices (makes it hard to choose without FOMO)
- Indoctrination to fit in instead of being yourself
- Lack of self-awareness – Schools don’t teach self-awareness
Now here’s the perfect storm. Shiny object syndrome arises out of curiosity and passion, mixed with self-worth issues, within a society full of distractions and information overload.
Let’s break that down. People who are curious want to learn and explore everything. Add being multi-passionate to the mix and there’s a deep emotional connection to it all.
If you’ve got some self-worth issues (like most people), you try to compensate by continuously learning, proving something, trying to be someone you’re not and believing nothing you do is good enough.
Put these people in a world where you can access any information and explore any opportunity with the click of a button, and you have shiny object syndrome.
What Successful People Do
When I say successful, I mean people who live their vision in any aspect of life. This could be business, relationships, spirituality, sports, art…etc.
Note that some people are “successful” in just one area of life. They might have the right mindset and action in business, for example, yet neglect their relationships and health.
I recommend applying these principles where you need it, then moving them laterally into other aspects of life. This will give you holistic fulfillment, as opposed to fleeting success.
Here’s what successful people do:
- Successful people own their worth – They truly believe that they’re worthy of living their best life. Remember, everything starts with belief.
- Successful people embrace their uniqueness – They embrace their unique qualities and leverage them, instead of trying to fit into a mold. If you’re not confident being you, you’re going to be constantly pulled into things that aren’t in alignment with who you really are.
- Successful people don’t care about the latest and greatest – They focus on mastery instead of chasing trends.
- Successful people ask for help – Instead of stubbornly trying to figure everything out themselves and creating so much frustration, they find mentors and coaches. This can save years of headaches and frustration.
- Successful people help others – They give generously and without expectation (whether it’s money, time, or advice). When you’re constantly fixated on what you can get, instead of what you can give, it’s easy to fall into distractions and chase things that don’t really matter.
- Successful people are focused and consistent – Taking one step in one direction every day takes you a lot further than 10 steps in 10 directions every day (which is just spinning in circles).
Notice the areas of life where you apply these success principles, and the areas of life where you don’t. This will both create awareness for you and give you some ideas of what to focus on.
For example, you may notice that you’re not living your ideal in terms of money. Looking more closely, you see that you’re really not owning your worth or giving to others. You can then focus on those qualities to help create your ideal in terms of money.
How I’m Transcending Shiny Object Syndrome
I’ve come a long way with shiny object syndrome. For me, it’s been a combination of many things:
- Committing to my fiancé Nicole on a deeper and deeper level – Commitment, focus and someone who allows me to be fully me, helps a lot.
- Doing information detoxes – Taking a break from my addiction to constantly learning (and social media too). Right now I’m doing a 30 day information detox as a total reset.
- Being patient – Letting ideas integrate before going down the rabbit hole.
- Gratitude – Being grateful for my life right now, instead of constantly chasing the next thing.
- Owning my self-worth – Truly believing that I am good enough right now.
- Having the courage to be completely myself
- Realizing that more work doesn’t necessarily mean more results (especially if it’s not focused)
- Learning to focus on one thing at a time and not care about missing out
- Truly mastering a few things instead of trying to do everything
- Being more generous; focusing on giving instead of receiving
- Asking for help instead of being so stubborn all the time
Shiny object syndrome is a combination of things, all of which are slightly different for each person. The same goes for the solution.
Take an objective inventory of where you’re at, how you distract yourself and what you can do to transcend shiny object syndrome.
I hope that this sparked some self-awareness for you.
I wish you a focused, fulfilling and peaceful life.
Much Love!
~ Stephen Parato
