Do you know anyone who is always looking for the next opportunity, or the next thing that’s going to make money?
It is human nature to look for opportunities of course. We should always be aware of these things and keep our eyes and ears open for them. However there is also merit in deciding on a plan, planning a course of action and then doing it. Perhaps most importantly though, that plan needs to be measurable, and needs to be given time to realize results.
Many times I see people begin to take action but before it has a chance to work, or even be evaluated, they rush onto the next thing – whatever than may be. In marketing terms this is the next advertisement, the next website design, the next direct mail opportunity. Maybe it’s the next miracle diet, the next toy electronic device. Whatever it is, these are the bright shiny things in our world and we have a tendency to run from one to another and are then surprised when they don’t provide long term satisfaction.
What is the solution? Well I have hinted at it, it is about planning. Plan what you want (whatever that may be) and decide what things fit in with that plan. When you see a shiny thing, think in terms of your plan and whether that honestly fits. How much time do you need to make that evaluation? Perhaps more importantly, what will you have to sacrifice or stop doing to pursue the shiny thing?
At least if yo then decide to follow it, it will be intentional and you will know what you expect as a result and what the impact is.
February 11, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Jerry!
I love the idea of the bright shiny thing…but here are two ways that your “slow and steady” approach falls down.
1)You are assuming that the “chaser” knows they are chasing. They may look at their behavior as a bonus, “they are staying on top of the latest stuff.” In which case, telling them to stop is going to feel like you are telling them to stop trying.
and 2) You assume that even if your subject realizes it, the chaser will be able to stop. Chasing the shiny thing is a compulsion.
so…how would you connect with something more powerful and emotional than “you must have a plan”?
February 11, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Hi Toby
thanks for your reply and I realize I was less than clear!
I am not suggesting that any approach needs to be “slow and steady” – on the contrary. I’ll return to this in a minute.
I agree – chasing Bright shiny things (BSTs) is a compulsion. It is only really a problem if it distracts us from what we really want simply because it is a novelty. Of course there is merit in looking into new things, I am merely suggesting that we approach that in terms of “how is this helping me?” It may be that by looking at a new BST you are, indeed, staying on top of the latest stuff. If so, and that is working for you, great. Again, is that getting you where you want to go? I can’t answer that but I suggest it is useful to define what that destination is – i.e a plan.
Again, not suggesting you stop looking at these things, it can be fun but do you want to do that at the expense of acheiving something else. For example, how long do we suf the net instead of doing something else?
Planning doesn’t need to be slow and steady. A plan that states the goal and has actions to acheive it is often a spur to rapid action.
I agree – having a plan isn’t always sexy. In emotion terms though I might ask: “Are you frustrated that you spend your day busy, but not seeming to achieve anything? Are you confused as to what you are trying to do in ……?”
Thanks for your comments – they made me think more than I did when writing that post!
February 12, 2008 at 3:47 am
Jerry,
Hey – how come you dropped my shameless plug!?!?!?
February 15, 2008 at 4:37 am
Jerry (and Toby),
Another way to approach this is to keep track of key things you have to do and make sure you do those first.
Then if you get sidetracked by all the cool fun stuff that’s out there, you’re still on track and maybe you found a new BST!
My $0.02
Shawn
February 15, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Thanks Shawn, I agree with you and that is an insightful comment. Making to do lists can be very useful and many people use BSTs as “rewards” for completing the chores!
We just need to be aware when a shiny thing comes up that we recognize it and then decide what we are going to do with it!