Mastering Focus: 7 Proven Strategies to Combat Shiny Object Syndrome

Heidi Richards Mooney
6 min readAug 2, 2024

Understanding Shiny Object Syndrome and 7 Ways to Avoid It

Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) is a term often used to describe the tendency of individuals, especially entrepreneurs and business owners, to chase new trends, ideas, and projects at the expense of their existing commitments and goals. This phenomenon can lead to a lack of focus, wasted time and resources, and ultimately, hindered progress toward achieving long-term objectives. Understanding and mitigating SOS is crucial for maintaining productivity and ensuring sustained growth in any venture.

What is Shiny Object Syndrome?

Shiny Object Syndrome is the allure of new opportunities that appear promising and exciting but may distract from current priorities. This syndrome is driven by a desire for instant gratification, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the misconception that newer means better. While being open to new ideas is essential for innovation, an uncontrolled pursuit of every new opportunity can lead to fragmentation and stagnation.

How a Coach helped me recognize and overcome shiny object syndrome

As a small business owner, I was always on the lookout for the latest trends and…

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Heidi Richards Mooney

Sharing Marketing and Small Business Ideas AUTHOR Quirky Marketing PUBLISHER - WE Magazine, Women of Wisdom, Marketing Small Biz - FOUNDER Women in Ecommerce