A lesson that I’m constantly learning is how to edit. I need to edit my writing, my business, and my life. The reason that I keep learning this lesson is that I have the bad habit of taking on too much. I have a lot of interest and it’s hard to let things go. Does this sound familiar?
A lot of entrepreneurs are like this. We have “Shiny bright object syndrome.” (My 6 month old is like this too!). It’s one of the things that makes us excel. It keeps things fun and interesting. It can also be a problem because we get scattered, don’t finish things, and get too busy. We begin one marketing activity only to get sidetracked with another. We focus in on one target market only to switch to another.
In today’s article, adapted from my book The Confident Leader, I share some of the challenges and suggestions for change.
Many if not most of the entrepreneurs I work with have a bit of this “syndrome.” We think, “What’s this new and exciting thing?” (Then, 5 minutes later) “Oh- woah, what’s that new and exciting thing?!” This is you if you:
- Work with 10 windows open at once on your computer.
- Have 5 books that you’ve begun but haven’t finished.
- Get a rush from starting something new.
- Have diverse interests and hate to be locked in to one thing.
- Are extremely busy but often unaware of what you complete.
- Are easily bored and often looking for something that will interest you.
- Have been described as “well-rounded,” “A renaissance-type,” or “ADD.”
In fact, there is a personality trait called “Sensation Seeking,” which many entrepreneurs possess. It’s one of the more genetic personality traits and it entails enjoying novelty and dislike routine.
In a great book called Refuse to Choose, author Barbara Sher creates a profile of what she calls “Scanners.” A Scanner is someone who meets the above criteria and who has difficulty limiting themselves to one field. The difficulty is that Scanners believe they need to limit themselves, so they continuously feel disappointed in themselves and that they are letting down others.
This is why Scanners frequently experience discomfort. Instead Sher recommends embracing your Scanner ways. Carry a notebook like DaVinci used to have to write down all your brilliant brainstorms and all-over-the-place thoughts.
Sher recommends backward planning. Start with your end goal and write it in a circle on the right of a horizontal piece of paper. Then ask yourself, “Could I achieve that goal right now? If not, what would I need?” then write that in a circle to the left and ask yourself the same question. Keep doing this until you get to an action that you can do right now and then circle it and say “Now!”
Action Steps
These action steps are based on the 6 step GROWTH model in my book The Confident Leader:
- Step 1: Get Your Vision and Intention — Picture how you’ll feel when you’re done. It can be exciting to start new things, but instead envision the wonderful feeling you’ll have when you get something done and check it off your list.
- Step 2: Realize Your Commitment — Are you really ready? Maybe you’re beginning many different things because you aren’t ready to commit to the one. Figure out which one is the most important or easiest and commit to that one.
- Step 3: Organize Your Team — Get accountable. Ask your colleagues and set up joint venture partnerships to hold you accountable for doing what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it. This accountability will help you form new habits.
- Step 4: Win with the Right Decisions – Decide what not to do. Saying no to those things that do not fit within our strategic plan is the key to focus and productivity.
- Step 5: Turn Anxiety into Optimal Energy — Overcome your fears. Write down what you’re concerned will happen if you keep focused on one (or two or three) things and let others go.
- Step 6:— Harness Your Strengths and Release Control – Engage your strengths in every task. When faced with something you don’t feel like doing, challenge yourself to use your strengths to make it successful.
