A lot of entrepreneurs unknowingly damage the growth of their business when they get distracted with things that looks good, but does nothing for their growth. In this article, we’ll uncover what those things are, it’s hurtful effects on growth and how to avoid getting misled by them. 

Before you do anything, you should always have a Strategic Plan in place before utilizing any kind of tactic. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs and small businesses focus on tactical methods to grow their business with no form of strategy in place.

What successful entrepreneurs will tell you is that, anytime you are too focused on the tactical, your business suffers.

You need to have the bigger picture or the strategic concepts and approach at the forefront of your thinking. If you don’t, then all of the tactics are just kind of noise, and for the most part, just distractions.

The Shiny Object Syndrome

Does this sound familiar: you looked at the new and latest thing that someone said every business should have. Even though it had nothing to do with what your business is about or your marketing approach, because it looked good and had some potential, you got all excited and purchased it anyway.

Then, after some time, you felt like you’ve wasted your money because you’re stuck with something you’re not even using. That’s when most people get upset because they say, “Oh I got misled by a shiny object.”

Well, the reality is that it’s not the shiny object that misled you, it’s that you are unclear of your priorities. You are unclear as to whether that is a valuable resource for you, so you made a bad decision about if you should spend time and invest in something like that.

I call this “The Shiny Object Syndrome” because it’s an emotional disorder that plagues a lot of entrepreneurs. This behavioral disorder is a big problem in the entrepreneurial world, in terms of trying to figure out how to grow their business.

Whatever hot new idea happens to enter their head that morning tends to be the thing that they’re running with. Then, after they get it, they have no specific objectives or measurability about whether that thing is working or not.

That is no way to run a business.

That’s why there’s a lot of entrepreneurs taking their business all over the place; zig-zagging up and down on a crazy rollercoaster.

That comes from the unfocused mindset of the entrepreneur where they are impulsively acting on whatever latest idea that got introduced into their head from either their leaders in their industry, marketing experts, etc.

THE Cure for The Shiny Object Syndrome

If you were to step back from trying to determine which tactic to use to grow your business and get a higher-level picture of what you are trying to accomplish at your business, that would give you incredible clarity. Then, the “shiny object syndrome” would no longer be the distraction that it is for so many people.

If you have clarity on what your business is all about and where you are going with your business, then you’ll immediately be able to quiet and calm your emotions to tune out so many of those things which are a distraction.

You’ll be able to check them and say to yourself, “does that fit into the overall vision–based framework that I have for my business?” And if it doesn’t, it may be something you can use down the road, but it’s not something that should consume your time and resources at this time.

When you have that kind of clarity and patience, you can drive your business forward from a strategic level, all the way down to a tactical level, with the clarity and focus that you need to grow your business.

And, when you have those levels clear and documented, it gives employees, partners, shareholders and customers the same clarity.

Know What Your Business Is About

This is so important because, if you’re trying to grow a business beyond just making a quick buck or a decent income for yourself and trying to build something more meaningful, what your business is about becomes more important than what you’re selling.

Everybody wants to know what your business is about; your customers, shareholders and employees.

You may think, “oh, if I could only make a quick buck first, then I’ll turn my attention to these things,” it’s exactly the opposite! You want to have a very clear purpose, vision and mission first and get clear on them, then making a buck will come much easier.

You must develop a vision for your business that supersedes any short-term tactics, and gives you the clarity and fortitude to withstand the ups and downs that any business will inevitably have.

That only comes from knowing that you are doing something bigger than whatever short-term challenges you are facing, results you are getting, or “hack” you’ve been told is the “new thing”.  This is the antidote to the “shiny object disease” that has plagued the entrepreneurial world.

Therefore, if you want to avoid the misleading distraction of shiny objects, you must get clear on your priorities, quiet and calm your emotions to tune out distractions, understand that what your business is about must be more important than what you’re selling and develop a vision for your business that supersedes any short-term tactics.

Another cure for the shiny object syndrome is The WOWE Factor Systems of Success. This comprehensive business growth program is designed to help emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners correctly start and effectively operate a thriving business, in easy to follow steps.