Shiny object syndrome: What it is and how to overcome it

Shiny object syndrome, or SOS, is a business term that refers to the tendency of being constantly drawn to “exciting” new opportunities. The new opportunities are usually business ideas, services or products that you want to dive into without fully determining the potential or whether or not it’s a good idea. It stems from the belief that there is always something new or unknown that’s worth being explored.

Many entrepreneurs have shiny object syndrome because it’s simply how they’re wired. It’s how they got into the business they are in now. They saw something worth pursuing. A gap. An unserved niche. A better mousetrap.

The negative impact of shiny object syndrome

The main reason why SOS can have a negative impact on an entrepreneur is because it takes time, energy and resources away from your core business to put toward something new that may not have long-term value.

It forms a pattern that rarely leads to satisfaction. The perpetual chase of something new once a current plan isn’t working out in the way you expected means that you’re struggling to find true passion and contentment with your goals. And your people HATE it!

How you can overcome shiny object syndrome

FOCUS!! In EOS®, the Entrepreneurial Operating System®, one piece of our Vision document is called Core Focus. It’s been called a lot of things by others. Jim Collins described it as a hedgehog concept. Others have called it a vision or mission statement. Steven Covey called it voice. We call it Core Focus because it comes from your core and we use it to stay focused on what we do best.

Your Core Focus is made up of two elements: your Purpose/Cause/Passion (P/C/P) and your Niche.

• P/C/P — This element is the reason why you exist. It’s bigger than just money. It’s something that’s inclusive and typically comes from the heart. It’s a big part of your origin story. It should be inspiring and something that pulls you out of bed when you really don’t feel like it. I know I’ve got it right with my clients when they get choked up talking about it.
• Niche — This element is typically more straightforward. If the P/C/P comes from the heart, the Niche comes from your head. It’s simply WHAT you do. It describes your product, your service or the combination of the two. It perfectly describes, in very simple language, what value you’re bringing to market.

Companies running their business on EOS use their Core Focus to, not surprisingly, stay focused on what they do best. Their sweet spot. Like in golf, when you hit the ball on the sweet spot of the club, it goes farther, faster, straighter than if you hit it anywhere else (which is where I typically hit it!). If we can keep all of the company’s energy focused on our Core Focus, all of our people, processes and systems, focused on it, you’ll never wonder where your next order is coming from.

EOS Worldwide will help you overcome shiny object syndrome

Shiny object syndrome is an easy trap to fall into, but EOS can help you stick to your Core Focus so that you can reach your goals without distractions.

EOS provides a variety of tools to help entrepreneurs achieve their vision, including the Vision Traction Organizer. But by utilizing everything EOS has to offer, your entire company can work toward collective growth and success.

According to the EOS Worldwide website,

EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System^®, is a complete set of simple concepts and practical tools that has helped thousands of entrepreneurs around the world get what they want from their businesses. Implementing EOS will help you and your leadership team get better at three things: Vision, Traction, Healthy.

If you’ve hit a wall and your business has hit a ceiling, help is on the way.

Tens of thousands of business leaders like you – with 10-250 employees – have achieved rapid growth and a more balanced life by running on the Entrepreneurial Operating System. EOS isn’t a computer operating system. It’s a people operating system that harnesses human energy through a simple set of tools and principles.

You didn’t become an entrepreneur to feel burned out or stuck in place. EOS gets you “unstuck” by organizing the hundreds of challenges you face every day and making them more manageable. You’re able to solve issues before they become problems, get the right people in the right seats, make meetings so productive that you actually look forward to them, and build a culture of accountability.

When you run on EOS, everyone is working toward the same goals. Your business runs more smoothly and profitably. You break through the ceiling to achieve growth. And you simply enjoy life more.

Contact me today for more information about implementing EOS into your business or to schedule a free 90-minute meeting.