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What’s the difference between your best laid plans and seeing them come to life? Your ability to put on your blinders to everything else. Easier said than done? I know.
As online business owners, we know that shiny object syndrome is very real. We are constantly bombarded by messages telling us all the different ways we are doing things “wrong” and everything we should be doing differently, every single day.
So of course, It’s led to this huge trend of people getting distracted by all of these different things.
This is why I felt like this topic was worth addressing—I really think that this is going to help us have this conversation around what is really happening underneath the surface so that you can spend more of your time getting to your vision versus spinning around in circles, and listening to what everyone {and their moms} are telling you what you should and shouldn’t be doing.
Working smart vs working hard
Normally when I share my schedule with others, they tend to be surprised by the amount of hours I do not work; and although yes, I am showing up and putting in the work, It’s no where near the amount of hours people tend to think I work in order to get everything done.
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you already know I was once on the opposite side of the spectrum and was putting in about 10-16 hours a day into my business only for it to stay at the same income level and even dip in some cases.
Having this type of roller coaster in your business while working more hours isn’t actually going to fix anything.
Not to mention, the feelings of frustration and overwhelm are just such a hard place to be in; and if you’re there right now, I completely understand {been there} and now that I’m out, I just refuse to ever go back. Which means increasing my hours is never an option for me.
I just now know, there is another way.
I learned that really achieving any big goal has nothing to do with the amount of hours you’re working, but rather focusing on the right things at the right time for the right result that you want; and since, you’re the only one who runs your business, you determine the right results.
So, ask yourself the following questions:
- What’s my vision?
- What is my availability?
- How much time will it actually take me to get to my vision?
Coming up with answers to these questions is the very first exercise that women who come in to Clients To Courses go through.
Knowing their vision first and foremost is key—I want them to have a business that is in true alignment with their lifestyle. Afterall, why would any of this matter otherwise? Money means nothing if you don’t actually know what it is you want in your life.
Getting to your vision won’t happen overnight. It takes time.
Most people start with a one-year plan; and since we are nearing the end of this year, we’re all likely going into 2020 with a fresh new vision.
My biggest tip would be to create actionable steps for each quarter in which you can step back and review each one before moving on to the next.
So before you go into the first quarter of 2020, and then of course as you go into Q2, 3, and 4, set aside just one hour prior to the start of each one to review your steps making sure they’re in alignment with your vision.
Doing this will help you sort out what needs to be done in the next three months such as:
- What big project am I working on?
- What small tasks need to be done in order to make it easier?
- Who on your team (if applicable) will be handling each task?
I personally like to map all of this out for myself because the key is not creating a one-year goal you’ll only look at once.
This very strategic breakdown is super important and something you will likely enjoy implementing in your business.
For instance, if you’ve got a launch or maybe a new funnel coming up, assigning each event to a quarter can ensure that you are getting everything necessary for each event completed. Looking back at the end of the year, you’ll realize how many amazing things you got done.
The problem with Shiny Object Syndrome
If you are already doing all of the things I mentioned and still not hitting your goals, there’s obviously something wrong.
This is where the Shiny Object Syndrome comes in—something I’ve seen show up time and time again with the women I’ve worked with.
So what is Shiny Object Syndrome? For those of you who don’t know, it refers to the concept of constantly chasing something new be it a new business idea, tool, or goal rather than staying committed and focused on what you’re doing.
I have found that there are 3-key reasons people get Shiny Object Syndrome:
1.You keep living in the future rather than in the now. You put together a plan that has {for instance} 50 amount of steps to complete. As you begin to work on step 5, you start to look at future steps and completing them before you’ve had a chance to complete your current step. The problem with this is that it causes distraction from what you need to be focused on right now—not to mention, the hundreds of downloads , PDF’s, and trainings you’ll likely end up with because you’re living in the future instead of now. Going in order will ensure you’ve had enough time to learn and master each step before moving on to the next. It’s less overwhelming this way, trust me. The truth: All you need to know is the next step TODAY. In this moment. For your specific goal. The rest will unfold as you go.
2.Spending too much time looking at what everyone else is doing than focusing on what you’re doing. Unless It’s coming from the place of pure market research, many people are consuming themselves with what other people are doing by looking at content on their feed, analyzing their E-mail blasts etc. Doing this does not help you because it can lead to you questioning your own path. You may find yourself veering off track because you’re so focused on what others are doing. This type of shiny object syndrome takes you to someone else’s definition of success which was likely created from their own personal vision. So in short, just because It’s the right path for them, does not mean it’s the right path for you. Stay focused on your own vision.
3.Not trusting yourself which means you won’t trust the process you had a part in creating. I’ve talked to so many women who say that they simply do not trust themselves to carry out their business plan(s) or achieve their vision. They have this amazing vision and yearly/monthly plans laid out—but due to their lack of confidence, fail to carry out each task required to reach their vision. It interferes with their ability to invest in the things and people who will help them achieve their goals in the most effective way. I actually have a previous podcast episode(LINK TO EPISODE) in which I address this very type of Shiny Object Syndrome. Regardless of how many bumps in the road you’ve faced or how many people questioned you, you need to believe that your success is already that and that it is currently happening.It isn’t a matter of if but a matter of when.
You’re not alone, and something can be done.
I love supporting women with achieving their goals but regardless of all the planning, if you’re falling into one of these three categories, you will likely get distracted and fall off-track.
I do believe that Shiny Object Syndrome is a very common problem and It’s absolutely vital to surround yourself with the people or conversations that allow you see not only what’s possible for yourself, but reminding you that things like this can come up and are willing to call you out when you fall off track.
So before this year ends, I want you to think about one thing you want to accomplish before the end of this year. Don’t overthink it, just select the first thing that comes into your head and cling to that. Claim it as if It’s already yours and get rid of any messaging that does not go with whatever that goal is.
So if your goal for example is wanting to launch a course, then great, we have awesome episodes coming up to help you with your course creation or Clients To Courses. Feel free to jump on the waitlist.
Show yourself that you can do this and give yourself this month and a half experiment where you are claiming and working on it until December 31st or until you’ve completed it.
What is one thing you are willing to kick Shiny Object Syndrome to the curb for in order to accomplish by the end of the year? Come on over to my Instagram page and tell me what it is and we’ll talk soon!