Do you have shiny object syndrome?

I start off nice and easy, with one project I like to work on. It goes well, I see progression and I’m really stretching the creative muscle. But something about being creative gives you a surge of new ideas not related to the project you’re doing right now. Can I just shelve it and wait until I have the time to focus on the idea? Sometimes, but some start growing and takes on a life of its own. At this time it becomes impossible for me to ignore, festering in my mind and so I tell myself I’ll split my time between the two projects.

Next thing you know I’m juggling four projects at once.

This is similar to scope creep, when a project you’re working on begins to expand and become something far bigger and more complicated then you originally planned.

Some sort of attention deficit creative disorder is in full swing. It creeps up and stacks up on you without realising the position you put yourself in.

Drawn to the shiny new thing.

A part of me thinks it’s okay as long as I don’t develop a habit of not finishing things. As long as I complete the work it should be okay. Only problem is it takes longer to complete things when my focus and time is now divided as such.

It doesn’t have to be a bad thing, when you’re in the zone and hitting a creative flow, those moments will always generate new and exciting ideas for you. The brain of your’s is showing off it’s gains. Like a body builder flexing their well trained muscles. A little creative return on investment as you will.

Like I said, idea hopping isn’t inherently a terrible thing as long as you can schedule things to a manageable degree. Having systems and routines make it possible to keep working, and most importantly you switch depending on which is gathering more momentum for you.

You get to choose what project to work on by what you’re enjoying most right now.

The problem is if you don’t know when enough is enough. Switching to a new one without giving time to an old one really is developing the habit of never finishing something. This is when you need to develop a way to shelve an idea without acting on it immediately. Have it sit there until you are ready to work on it.

It’s best to put on a cap to the amount projects you are willing to work on at a time.

Write it down.

When your wonderful brain gives you a shiny idea, it’s best to capture and record it somewhere for you to look at later and give it some time. You might feel different about it after a few days. Regardless it’s always their for you if you ever want to come back to it.

Prioritisation is key to all this, do you have a main project? One that rules above all? It’s best to rank which ones are more important for you to finish.

Why are you switching?

It could be the case of something new and exciting attracting your attention. Or it could be something else. Like you’re pulling away from another project. May be due to the phase or part you’re on. If it’s difficult, slow or less exciting.. it’s a possibility you’re trying to avoid it.

It’s okay to come back to it when you’re ready, more experienced and better skilled to do so. Unless you have a deadline of course. Either way it’s best to gain clarity to why it’s so difficult. It could be that going back to simplicity will be more helpful to you. It’s okay to lower the bar even if you’re wanting it to be a certain standard, Better a finished work than a perfect one . Especially if you can make adjustments at any later date. Sometime it’s best to choose completion over quality just so you know you can complete something.

Or instead of thinking you need to complete it, just think you need to give a chunk of you’re time on the project. At least 30 minutes on it and eventually the job will get done. Less pressure and simple inevitability, if you don’t have to worry about time constraints.

For me, I’m shelving one of those four and putting a cap on three. I have scheduled time to work on all three within each week and allow myself patience to finish them. If any new shiny objects come swinging my way, I’ll record them and set them aside for another day. Good luck to you all, and don’t get caught up too much and burn yourself out.