Welcome to another Mindset Mastery class with your professor, Laura Catella. Today's topic is one that many entrepreneurs struggle with: distinguishing between a worthwhile pivot and shiny object syndrome. As business owners, we are constantly faced with new ideas and opportunities that could potentially lead to growth and success. However, it can be difficult to discern whether a new idea is a genuine pivot or just another shiny object that distracts us from our goals. In this class, we will explore the signs of shiny object syndrome and how to avoid falling prey to it. So let's dive in and learn how to make effective pivots that drive our businesses forward.
(To access the free training video on this topic and future ones, sign up here.)
When to Specialize and When to Embrace Being Multifaceted
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the many passions and talents you have? Do you find yourself constantly shifting focus and unable to commit to one thing? You are not alone. Many people struggle with shiny object syndrome, a term used to describe the tendency to be easily distracted by new ideas and projects.
In a society that values specialization and encourages us to focus on one thing, it can be challenging to embrace our multifaceted selves. But is it always better to specialize? The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Sometimes it makes sense to dig deeper and specialize, while other times it's better to be more faceted.
As multi-talented and multi-passionate individuals, we are wired to seek out novelty and new experiences. This can be adaptive and useful in some contexts, such as when we need a burst of dopamine to feel good. However, it can also lead to a lack of focus and difficulty in achieving our goals.
So how do we strike a balance between embracing our multifaceted selves and staying focused on our main goals? It starts with understanding the reasons behind our shiny object syndrome. By recognizing the role it plays in our lives, we can begin to find ways to channel our energy into activities that serve our highest good and bring us closer to our main purposes.
It's time to stop fighting against who we are and start embracing our true selves. Whether we choose to specialize or remain multifaceted, the most important thing is to stay true to ourselves and find ways to use our passions and talents to create a fulfilling life.
The Downsides of Shiny Object Syndrome
Shiny object syndrome is a common phenomenon where we get easily distracted by new and exciting opportunities that come our way, often leading us to abandon our current projects and pursuits. While it can be useful to explore new ideas and avenues, this behavior can also have several downsides that can hinder our progress and success. In this section, we will explore some of these downsides in detail.
Offloading Personal Responsibility
One downside of shiny object syndrome is that it can offload our personal responsibility for making decisions. When we say yes to everything, we let external factors and the things we say yes to make our decisions for us. This can make it harder for us to take ownership of our choices and can lead to a lack of personal responsibility. By focusing on only a few things, we can take control of our choices and take responsibility for the outcomes.
(To access the free training video on this topic and future ones, sign up here.)
Juggling Multiple Plates
Another downside of shiny object syndrome is that it can lead to us juggling multiple plates, which can hinder our progress in the areas we really want to focus on. By constantly saying yes to new opportunities, we spread ourselves too thin and end up not making much progress in any particular area. It is better to choose what is good for us rather than what is familiar.
Avoiding Commitment
Shiny object syndrome can also give us reasons to avoid commitment. By dabbling in everything, we don't have to commit to anything fully, which can rob us of the time, focus, and attention that we need to make real progress. Commitment comes with a perceived risk, and we often manufacture ways to avoid it, like shiny object syndrome. However, we can modify this behavior to go deep into something when it serves us and still be okay if we fail.
Feeling Overwhelmed
Shiny object syndrome can also lead to feeling overwhelmed, which is often a solution to other problems we may have. By being busy all the time, we feel valuable and get a dopamine rush from doing a bunch of stuff. However, at the end of the day, we may still feel unfulfilled and wonder why we aren't further ahead. It is important to acknowledge what behaviors and feelings are solutions for and find adaptive and empowering ways to get those solutions without negative behaviors.
Shiny object syndrome can be an appealing behavior, but it can also have several downsides that can hinder our progress and success. By acknowledging these downsides, we can modify our behavior to focus on what is good for us, take responsibility for our choices, and make real progress in the areas we want to focus on.
Attitude and Filtering System
Shiny object syndrome is a common challenge that we all face. It is the tendency to get distracted by new and exciting things, causing us to lose focus on our goals and what really matters. Many of us have the habit of saying "yes" to everything, but at some point, we realize that it is impossible to keep up with everything. That's when we need to change our attitude and filtering system.
The first step to overcome shiny object syndrome is to ask yourself, "What does this thing give me? How is it serving me? How is it protecting me?" This approach can be applied to many areas of our lives, not just shiny object syndrome. For example, people-pleasing is another common challenge, and it can be beneficial to ask ourselves how it has served us so far. It helps us fit into groups, avoid scrutiny, and gain acceptance. However, we need to start putting ourselves first while still getting the utility of people-pleasing.
The second step is to consider the cost. What does shiny object syndrome cost us? It costs us mastery, recognition, authority, clarity of focus, and simplicity. When we say "no" to 80-95% of things, life can become simpler. However, we can only achieve simplicity when we focus on what matters and say "yes" only to the things that align with our goals.
To identify our goals, we need to ask ourselves what our true goal is. Many of us have an unconscious goal of not succeeding. According to Adlerian psychology, it is the goal that brought us to this present moment, not the past. Therefore, we need to look at ourselves in a brand new light and ask ourselves what we truly want to achieve.
It is vital to set a goal that empowers us, that allows us to become the best version of ourselves. We need to identify what we want to achieve and set our sights on it. It may be a little challenging at first, but with time, we can modify our behavior and achieve our goal.
In conclusion, to tackle shiny object syndrome, we need to change our attitude and filtering system. We need to ask ourselves what a particular thing gives us, how it serves us, and how it protects us. Then we need to consider the cost of our distraction and focus on what truly matters. Finally, we need to set a goal that empowers us and enables us to become the best version of ourselves.
(To access the free training video on this topic and future ones, sign up here.)
Assessing Opportunity Cost: Understanding the Nuances and Avoiding Shiny Object Syndrome
Opportunity cost is a fundamental concept in decision making that requires individuals to consider what they're giving up when they choose to pursue a particular course of action. Simply put, when you say yes to one thing, you're saying no to other possibilities, and that's the opportunity cost. However, when you're not in love with what you're doing, it's hard to care about opportunity cost. You're not invested in your current path, so it's difficult to evaluate what you're missing out on.
But when you're in love with where you're going, you can feel the opportunity cost of looking in other directions. You become better at evaluating what that opportunity cost is, and you begin to understand the nuances of your decisions. To avoid the pitfalls of shiny object syndrome, you must ask yourself a crucial question when evaluating your options.
Is the new thing interesting to you because you're trying to run away from a challenge? Are you looking at that raft, hoping it saves you from your current challenge? It's important to note that there will always be challenges, and if you're only looking at a new thing to save you from those challenges, it's probably not an effective pivot.
Instead, it would help if you were thinking about how to overcome your current challenges and continue on your path. The nuance comes when you realize that the new thing may not be appealing to you because you're starting to realize that the original thing is not meant for you. This realization can be a great opportunity to move towards something new, but it's essential to avoid falling into the shiny object syndrome.
Many people start something new and experience beginner's luck. They do so well, and any win is a win, so they stick with it. However, as they encounter challenges, they begin to realize what they don't know. Instead of pushing through, they go back to something new, experience another peak, and start the process again. This pattern can become a loop of life and the shiny object syndrome.
On the other hand, if you've been doing something for a while and have overcome challenges, you may start to feel that it's not for you. It's okay to explore something new in this scenario, but it's crucial to avoid quitting when you encounter challenges. You must keep pushing through and evaluating your options to ensure that you're making the right decision.
How to make better decisions and avoid shiny object syndrome
Have you ever found yourself constantly distracted by new and exciting opportunities, jumping from one project to another without making significant progress? If so, you're likely suffering from shiny object syndrome. This condition can be detrimental to achieving your long-term goals and can lead to feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and self-doubt.
But why does this happen? Often, it's because we lack a solid framework for making decisions. When faced with a new opportunity, we become so enamored with its potential benefits that we fail to consider whether it aligns with our long-term goals.
Instead of falling into this trap, try creating a broad framework for decision-making. For example, when you encounter challenges, take a step back, breathe deeply for five minutes, and tell your nervous system that everything is okay. Then, assess the challenge and consider whether it aligns with your long-term goals.
Don't try to have all the answers immediately; instead, create the space to discover potential solutions. Remember that the answers you seek are just things you will try, and that's how you'll move through the learning curve.
When evaluating new opportunities, ask yourself why they seem appealing. Is it because you believe they will save you or help you achieve your goals? If so, explore whether there is any real evidence to support these claims.
Additionally, consider whether these opportunities will distract you from your long-term goals or whether they could help you amplify your journey. You can use new opportunities to bolster your love for your original goals, and when you start filtering opportunities through this framework, you'll find that you can have it all.
Be mindful of whether you're adding new tasks and goals to your plate to run away from something else. If you're not achieving your goal of spending more time with your family, for example, consider whether you're running away from discomfort or whether you're genuinely moving towards a different goal.
By creating a solid decision-making framework, you can avoid shiny object syndrome and make progress towards your long-term goals. By staying focused on your original goals and using new opportunities to amplify your journey, you can have it all without falling into the trap of constantly chasing shiny objects.
(To access the free training video on this topic and future ones, sign up here.)
The Power of Removal: Creating Beautiful Things by Subtracting
Michelangelo's David is undoubtedly one of the most stunning sculptures ever created. What is interesting about this work is that Michelangelo created it not by adding elements to the marble block but by removing one slab after another. This is a great example of how you can create beautiful things by removing elements rather than adding to them.
In our culture, we tend to focus on the shiny object syndrome, which is all about adding more and more to our lives. We are always asking ourselves, "What can I add to make this better?" Instead of merely following these impulses, we need to take some time to think about what we can remove.
There is a famous quote that states, "I know a system is beautifully designed not when there is nothing else to add, but when there is nothing that can be removed." This quote highlights the idea that simplicity is key to creating a beautiful and efficient system. If you take a closer look at your business or workflow, you will likely find that there are things that can be removed to make the system more efficient.
We often wish we had more time in the day, but if we did, we would likely fill that time with more activities. Our orientation to more is so ingrained in us that we create problems to solve simply to fill up our time. The key is to catch ourselves when we are doing this and modify our behavior.
If we only had four hours to work in a day, we would be forced to be more efficient, delegate tasks properly, and focus on what matters. The idea of optimizing our time is new territory and requires us to step up and behave differently.
The challenge is to flip our orientation from adding more to removing elements from our lives. We need to ask ourselves, "What can I remove from what I currently have, and how can I feel energetically good about removing it?" By removing unnecessary elements, we are creating a system that can scale and handle more.
So, the next time you feel the urge to add something, ask yourself what you can remove instead. By streamlining and removing, we are building systems that can scale. So, every time we want to add something, we need to ask ourselves what we can remove first. We need to catch ourselves when we feel rushed or are experiencing FOMO and slow down.
In conclusion, Michelangelo's David is a great example of how we can create beautiful things by removing elements rather than adding to them. Simplifying our lives and workflows is key to creating efficient systems that can scale. So, let's start flipping our orientation from adding more to removing elements, and we will be surprised at the beauty that emerges.
Do You Feel Rushed? How to Combat Shiny Object Syndrome
We all have been there, scrolling through our social media feeds and suddenly being bombarded with ads that seem so appealing. The fear of missing out (FOMO) creeps in, and we feel like we have to get that thing, do that thing, or grab that opportunity right away. But what if, instead of following that impulsivity, we catch ourselves and do the opposite? What if we slow down and take a pause?
If you feel rushed, take a break. It is more useful to take a nap or step away and do nothing than to let all the hype and FOMO work its magic on you. It's important to recognize how FOMO works on us, even though we are often the ones using it as marketers. Simply taking a pause can save you time, money, and resources. So, the next time you feel rushed, remember to slow down, put some distance between yourself and the decision, and celebrate when you resist impulsivity.
The 48-hour Rule
When you feel rushed, it is not an indicator that you should take immediate action. It's actually a sign that you should slow down and put some distance between yourself and the decision. Laura Belgray, a copywriter and marketer, suggests using the 48-hour rule. Give yourself 48 hours, not a lot of time, to think about the decision. If it's still calling to you and you still want to do it, then it may be worth pursuing. But what you'll often find is that after 48 hours, you've forgotten about the idea or the thing that seemed so appealing.
(To access the free training video on this topic and future ones, sign up here.)
The Abandoned Cart Sequences
This is why e-commerce businesses create abandoned cart sequences to try to combat this behavior. When people put 48 hours in between themselves and the decision to buy, they often realize that they are busy enough and don't need the item. This is helpful in our discussion of shiny object syndrome. Laura suggests leaving the sales page open in your browser for a few days before buying. She has found that since she started doing this, she has not gone back and bought anything that she was initially tempted to purchase.
Celebrating Good Decisions
We tend to celebrate when good things happen to us, but we often forget to celebrate when bad things don't happen. Anytime we can tone down our impulsivity in a way that serves us is worth celebrating. Laura suggests giving ourselves a pat on the back when we resist impulsivity. Celebrating small wins can go a long way in combatting the shiny object syndrome.
Enjoying Feelings of Busyness in a Productive Way: Understanding the Flow State
In our modern world, being busy is often seen as a badge of honor. Many of us feel that if we're not busy, we're not productive, and that we're not achieving our goals. However, feeling busy for the sake of being busy can lead to burnout and frustration. So, how can we enjoy feelings of busyness in a more productive way?
One way to approach this is to understand the concept of the flow state. Flow state is the feeling of being fully immersed and engaged in an activity, where we lose track of time and feel a sense of accomplishment. To achieve flow state, we need to balance the level of challenge in the activity with our skills. If the challenge is too high, we may feel overwhelmed and anxious, but if the challenge is too low, we may feel bored and uninterested.
In the context of shiny object syndrome, where we constantly jump from one activity to another, we may find ourselves in the arousal flow state. This is a state where we are between anxiety and arousal, where we feel challenged and are using our skills, but may not necessarily be accomplishing anything significant.
To achieve the flow state, we need to evaluate our current state and determine whether we're in boredom or arousal flow. If we're in boredom, we may need to add something that bumps up the challenge in alignment with our skills. However, if we're already overwhelmed and anxious, we need to make sure that what we're adding is in alignment with our end goals and our skills.
Understanding the flow state can help us enjoy feelings of busyness in a productive way. By balancing the level of challenge in our activities with our skills, we can achieve a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, leading to greater productivity and fulfillment. So, next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or bored, take a step back and evaluate your current state. Are you in the flow state? If not, what can you do to get there?
In conclusion, distinguishing between a worthwhile pivot and shiny object syndrome can be challenging. However, by recognizing the thoughts and behaviors associated with shiny object syndrome, we can start to take control and avoid becoming distracted by new ideas and opportunities. It is important to be intentional about our decisions and actions, and to regularly assess whether a pivot is truly necessary or just a shiny distraction. By doing so, we can stay focused on our goals and achieve greater success in our personal and professional lives. Remember, it's not about avoiding new ideas altogether, but rather being strategic and intentional in pursuing them. Thank you for joining me in this Mindset Mastery class, and I look forward to exploring more topics with you in the future.
(To access the free training video on this topic and future ones, sign up here.)
