How to Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome

So now you know

• What the Value Hierarchy is, and how to use it.
• How to populate it
• How to evaluate it, and
• What happens when things change.

But what about the desire to be distracted aka Shiny Object Syndrome?

Here’s the thing – shiny objects are simply going off the path away from the goal – that’s it.

So what is “Shiny Object Syndrome” then?

Literally nothing – you can’t avoid it because it’s not a syndrome that exists!

You simply pick distractions at unconscious times

And the distractions don’t serve you in any way

The problem is not shiny objects – we need those.

The brain wants distractions.

It’s a totally natural and normal thing to have happen.

The video below is optional, and goes into more detail.

The problem is that we don’t know the relevance

• is the shiny object worth it?
• should I pursue that object?
• Should I have walked off track?
• what’s more important that this shiny object?

Distractions aren’t a question of whether or not you should do the thing, it’s a question of how relevant the thing is, and how well it fits into the bigger plan.

How do we know if a shiny object is worth it?

You guessed it! The Value Hierarchy!

Here’s what to do:

1. Place the item in the hierarchy
2. Determine the more intense feeling – positive or negative.
3. If it’s positive,
4. Based on the placement, you now know what has to come first, and how much time/money/energy you can allocate to the thing with respect to the other things.
   See? No distractions, only relevance.
   The only antidote? noticing your ill-placed distractibility and staying grounded in the bigger picture. (aka money story)