Motivation without action is useless: The Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS)

Have you ever had one of those moments where out of the blue, you would get a rush of motivation to do something? For me, it’s usually things like getting excited to learn about a new skill, or starting a side business, or making a YouTube video!

And during the times where I would feel the motivation, I would get excited and start to do some thinking and lots of planning (LOTS). Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing. But what I found is that, 99% of the time, I would spend all my time thinking and planning, but not actually doing anything!

I would come up with an ellaborate plan, look at signing up to courses, or write (and sometimes even film!) a great script for a video, but when it comes down to actually taking the necessary steps to finish what I started, somehow I’m nowhere to be found.

I read a post on Facebook recently that perfectly explains my situation. I don’t think it’s an “official” term, but it’s called the “Shiny Object Syndrome“, or SOS for short.

It was explained that the Shiny Object Syndrome is the “obsessive desire to chase the next thing”. Put simply, it’s when we keep changing goals or priorities, rather than focusing on one thing at a time. As a result, we end up having less opportunities to grow, develop, and master a skill, get good at one thing, or finish a task or project.

I realised that I was “sick” with the Shiny Object Syndrome! I’ve been constantly chasing the next best thing and never sticking to or finishing what I’ve started. I would come up with lots of great ideas, take some “action” by researching, planning, and strategising, but then when it comes down to finishing what I started, I would get distracted by the next thing.

And then I learnt: Motivation without action is useless! Or better yet, motivation without commitment is useless!

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to learn something new, or explore and try different things. The problem occurs when we let this become a distraction. When we are always chasing something new but never making a decision and commitment to stick through it.

So the next time you get motivated to start something new, make a commitment to yourself to sticking it through! Even if it turns out it wasn’t for you, by sticking it through you are gifting yourself with the knowledge and skill of being committed, and you would also be gaining a valuable experience from which you can learn from and strive!

REMEMBER: Motivation without action AND commitment is USELESS.

#Motivation #Selfdevelopment #selfgrowth #Shinyobjectsyndrome