Kicking the Bright Shiny Object Syndrome: My 30-Day Rehab Plan
Hello, fellow online adventurers!
It’s Sean here, coming to you with some fresh inspiration straight from the shower. (Yes, it’s true - some of the best ideas happen when you’re just trying to wash your hair.)
My "Bright Shiny Object" Problem
So, here’s the deal: I’ve dabbled in digital marketing before. I’ve watched the videos, bought the courses, and read the ebooks.
But you know what?
It didn’t exactly pay off. I didn’t make any money; in fact, I spent way more than I care to admit. I used to think that if I just found the “right” tool or “perfect” course, it would magically unlock my online fortune.
Spoiler alert: It didn’t...
But I’m going to be honest with you (and myself) - that was all on me. Yep, I was a professional Bright Shiny Object Chaser, jumping from one thing to the next without actually doing anything with what I’d already bought.
My New Rehab Plan (Starting Now)
After deciding to give online marketing another go, I realized I needed to do things differently this time. As in, pretty much do everything differently. Let’s face it, you can’t do worse than a solid “zero,” right? So, I’ve come up with a strategy that I’m putting into action immediately:
A 30-day rehab from Bright Shiny Object Syndrome.
That’s right - starting Monday, October 21, 2024, I’m committing to a whole month without buying any new courses, tools, software, or ebooks. Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. If it has anything to do with making money online, my credit card stays tucked away.
Are You Feeling Seen Right Now?
If you’re nodding your head or chuckling to yourself right now, you’re probably my kind of person.
Maybe you’ve bought course after course, software after software, hoping the next purchase would finally be the “one” that would change everything. Maybe, like me, you’ve even got a hard drive full of digital products you haven’t opened in years.
If you’re blushing right now… don’t worry. No judgment here. We’ve all been there.
Taking Baby Steps Toward Real Change
Let me be clear: I’m not trying to jump from one extreme to the other. I’m not swearing off online purchases forever - just for now. I know from experience that massive, sudden changes can be overwhelming and unsustainable.
The goal here is to start small, take consistent steps, and then build momentum from there.
As the saying goes, "Even the smallest step in the right direction gets you further than standing still." So, my first baby step is this: No new purchases for 30 days.
But I’m actually going to push it a bit further and commit to no new purchases until November 30th - about five weeks from now.
Why I’m Doing This (And Why You Might Want to Join Me)
This might sound like a minor change, but even just writing about it is making my stomach flutter a little. It’s almost like admitting to a full-blown addiction. That’s a bit scary… but it’s also a sign that this is exactly what I need to do.
Here’s my plan: After November 30th, I’ll reassess and decide whether to continue for another month.
The ultimate goal is to break the cycle of constantly chasing the next shiny object and instead focus on what really matters - taking action with what I already have.
What Happens After the Detox?
Eventually, I’ll still buy tools and courses, but I want to do it more thoughtfully and consciously. I want to make sure that I’m purchasing things because they genuinely add value to my business, not just because I got swept up in a flashy sales pitch. This way, I can finally put to good use what I already own instead of letting it gather digital dust.
Want to Follow My Journey?
If you’re finding value in my words and can relate to my experiences, why not stick around? I’d love for you to join my little corner of the internet. Drop your email in the box, and I’ll keep you updated as I navigate my way through this 30-day Bright Shiny Object rehab.
Let’s do this together - no judgment, just progress.
Thanks for reading, and talk to you soon!
Sean Street
I found that once midnight hit and I posted the article, it has become easier for me to not go down the rabbit hole. There was one YouTube course I was looking at and nearly purchased a few times over the last couple of weeks – after midnight last night, I simply closed that websire down and did not buy in.
It felt kind of good…
This morning, I was playing around with some AI and I got this message from the app :
Reframe your challenge:
Instead of focusing on what you’re not doing (buying new tools/courses), focus on what you are doing – mastering the tools you have and implementing your knowledge.
So – I am going to take that piece of advice on board – I’m going to reframe my challenge and turn it around into a positive aim instead of trying to stop doing something.
It definitely makes it sound more productive.
I’ve managed to cancel one membership today, so that’s even better.