Sticking with Your Business: Beat the Shiny Object Syndrome

Starting a business is like planting a seed. You need to take care of it and give it time to grow. But sometimes, people get excited about new ideas and forget about their first one. This is called “shiny object syndrome.” Let’s talk about why this happens and why it’s important to stick with your ideas.

What is Shiny Object Syndrome?

Imagine you’re working on a project, and then you see a new, exciting idea. You drop the first project and run to the new one. This is like shiny object syndrome in business. People start a project but then get distracted by new ideas.

Signs of Shiny Object Syndrome:

1. Always wanting to try new things
2. Getting bored quickly
3. Not finishing what you start
4. Jumping from one idea to another

Why Sticking with Your Idea Matters

When you start a business, it needs time to grow. This is called the “commitment period.” It’s like waiting for a plant to sprout and grow flowers. It takes time and care.

Why the Commitment Period is Important:

1. It takes time for people to know about your business
2. You need time to learn and get better
3. You need time to make your business strong
4. You need time to see what works and what doesn’t

Why People Give Up on Business Too Soon

1. They think business will be easy and quick
2. They didn’t plan well
3. They’re afraid of failing
4. They run out of money
5. They get tired
6. Other people tell them to stop
7. They see other people doing better
8. They realize they don’t like their idea anymore
9. They feel alone
10. They get distracted by new ideas

What Happens When You Give Up Too Soon

Giving up on your business too early can cause problems:

1. You lose money
2. You miss out on what could have been a great business
3. People might not trust you to finish things
4. You don’t learn important lessons
5. It becomes easier to give up on other things too

How to Keep Going

1. Set goals you can reach
2. Make a plan
3. Find friends who support you
4. Focus on what you’re doing now
5. Be happy about small wins
6. Keep learning
7. Take care of yourself
8. Look inward to confirm your commitment
9. Remember why you started
10. Find someone who can teach you

Stories of People Who Didn’t Give Up

1. Airbnb: The people who started it initially struggled, but now it’s a household name.
2. Shopify: It started as a small shop snowboard company, and grew into a company that helps millions of entrepreneurs.
3. LinkedIn: Other social media platforms grew exponentially, long before LinkedIn became popular.

These stories show that if you keep trying, good things can happen.

When to Change Your Idea and When to Stop

Sometimes, you might need to change your idea a little. This is okay. But sometimes, you might need to stop. Here’s how to know:

You may need to adjust your idea if:

• People consistently express interest in something different.
• You’ve made several attempts, but it still isn’t working.
• Major events or shifts in the world impact the viability of your idea.

You may need to walk away if:

• Your idea is creating significant business challenges or issues.
• It’s affecting your health or happiness.
• You’ve exhausted your financial resources with no way to recover.

Think carefully before you decide to change or stop. Don’t exit simply because it’s hard or because you saw a new idea. You’ve got to look at the facts, market, competition, finances, and personal factors.

Wrap-Up

Starting a business is like going on a long hike. It takes time and can be hard. But if you keep going, you might reach an amazing view at the top!

Remember:

• It’s normal for things to be hard at first
• Give your idea time to grow
• Don’t give up just because you see a new, shiny idea
• If you stick with it, you’ll learn a lot and might do great things

In a world full of new, shiny objects, the best reward often comes to those who can focus on one thing and keep trying, even when it’s hard.

About the Author

Cheryl Wilson is a Shopify coach with over 25 years of experience in web development, SEO, and website analytics. As a successful Shopify store owner, Cheryl has a proven track record of helping new and aspiring store owners set up and scale their businesses to six figures and beyond. With a hands-on, down-to-earth approach, Cheryl offers personalized guidance on Shopify setup, digital marketing, and e-commerce strategies to drive growth and profitability. Whether you’re new to Shopify or looking to enhance your existing store, Cheryl Wilson is here to provide expert insights and support every step of the way.