– BY MADDIE CRAIG | 2023
As a business owner, it’s all too easy to get distracted with the newest apps and software coming out that promise to take your business to the next level.
It’s tempting to drop everything and spend days researching and implementing these new tools in hopes that it will be the key to unlocking success. 🔑
Shiny object syndrome can quickly derail your productivity and drain your resources of time, money, and focus.
While there's certainly value in continuously improving and innovating, you have to be disciplined about when and how you adopt new technologies.
The Lure of the New
There's an undeniable desire for novelty that makes new apps, software, and tech incredibly alluring. Our brains are wired to pay attention to new stimuli. We're drawn to the possibility of finding a quantum leap solution to the problems we face. The buzzy marketing triggers our FOMO and makes us question whether we're falling behind.
Additionally, many entrepreneurs are naturally drawn to new ideas and innovations. It's part of what makes them successful creative thinkers. However, if that creative spark isn't balanced with focus and discernment, it can become a hindrance rather than a strength.
The Hidden Costs of Tech Distractions
Constantly switching between different apps, tools, and workflows is a productivity killer. Our brains aren't wired for heavy multitasking and constant switching.
Then there are the investments required to properly implement a new system, including:
Research time
Software/hardware costs
Training and onboarding process
Integration with your existing tech stack
All of this adds up quickly. Too many entrepreneurs race to onboard a shiny new solution without properly vetting its ROI and true impact on their bottom line.
Focus On Your Priorities
The antidote to shiny object syndrome is being ruthlessly committed to your core business goals and priorities.
Before exploring any new tech or app:
Get clear on your current high-impact activities. What is directly contributing to revenue, customer satisfaction, process efficiency, etc? Double down there first.
Identify your biggest bottlenecks and pain points. What are the clunky, expensive, or time-suck aspects of your business? Look for very targeted solutions.
Thoroughly vet whether a new tool truly solves those problems better than alternating your existing processes or systems. Calculate the full costs and ROI.
If it passes that criteria, allocate proper time to learn and integrate it.
Cut out extraneous apps/tools that don't align with your current top goals. Don't let them linger as distractions.
Discipline yourself to solve specific problems with new tech, without blindly chasing after trendy “solutions.”
The right technologies adopted at the right time can definitely revolutionize your business. But don't let shiny object syndrome drain your productivity and profits along the way.
Meet The Author
Maddie Craig is the founder of Blue Cypher Bookkeeping, a detail-oriented bookkeeper, and definitely a “numbers nerd”! She is passionate about helping organizations understand the full story of their financials and using it to make more confident decisions and grow strategically. She has experience working with a wide array of clients, including small businesses and non-profit organizations. When not crunching numbers, she and her husband enjoy traveling, being active in the community, and sharing their love for good food with friends and family.
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