This week’s question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from someone who wishes to remain anonymous.
Hi David,
I think I suffer from Shiny Object Syndrome…meaning I can easily be distracted by a new “opportunity”. This can show up as a training, class, new direction, you name it. I’m constantly faced with trying to decide if I should or shouldn’t do something, and it keeps me from focusing. How do I know what I should be saying yes to?
Thanks for the question! I know many entrepreneurs struggle with this.
First… do you have a clear-cut goal? You can’t decide what the next step is if you don’t know where you’re going.
If you don’t have a goal, set some time aside and get very clear about what you’d like the end result to be.
If you already have a clear goal, ask yourself if there is something that you’re resisting doing that’s keeping you from that goal.
Often times, if you’re in resistance, something shiny
will pop up to distract you.
You’ll need to be very honest with yourself about this, as your mind will create stories around why you’re resisting something.
Let me give you an example:
If your goal is to enroll more clients, and you KNOW your next step is to make sales calls, but instead you sign up for a class to learn how to build a website, you’re using the website class as a distraction.
And the insidious thing is that you will have yourself convinced that when you finish the class, you’ll magically have those new clients enrolled.
When you really want a clear gauge to help you make a decision, I always recommend that you turn to the FOUR QUESTIONS…you may have even heard me teach this before.
So let’s use the example above and run it through using the FOUR QUESTIONS.
1) Is this something I want to be, do or have? In the instance of the web class, yes.
2) Is being, doing or having this taking me closer to my goal? In this instance the answer would be no because it would be taking the person farther from it. They already know that the most direct way to enroll clients is to make sales calls.
3) Is being, doing or having this in alignment with Universal Law (more life to all)? Yes
4) Does being, doing or having this violate the rights of others (does it take away someone else’s right to choose)? No
The determining factor in using these questions is that you must answer yes to the first three questions, and no to the fourth.
Since the answer to the 2nd question was a no, this person would not choose to take the web class. Instead they would focus on working through their resistance to sales calls.
When experiencing bright shiny object syndrome, using the four questions above will help you see clearly which direction to take.
PS: The Neagle Code: Directions for Life is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I’ll select and personally respond to one question that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. See the sidebar to ask your question today!
