Today’s WorthWorking4Wednesday blog is about Tammy and her shiny balls. So, my friend (let’s call her Tammy) has this problem of getting attracted to a new person, a gadget, a diet plan, a clothing trend, a skin care regimen. She can’t seem to focus on one thing or a person and gets bored easily.

While things are never boring around Tammy, it gets hard to keep up with her need for novelty and adventure. I also see her making not much progress in her relationships or career. She is often told by well-meaning friends to stick to one thing and build on it. But she seldom listens. She struggles with productivity because of her haphazard approach towards work. Her lack of consistency also means lack of progress and success.

Chances are you might know somebody like Tammy. Or, you might recognize some of these personality traits in yourself. You may get so excited at first about something, do all the work to get things ready to go. But after a while, the excitement fizzles out, and you are back to square one.    

 This tendency to always seek something shiny and new, while leaving behind everything else is called ‘Chasing the Shiny ball’ tendency. The term ‘Shiny Ball’ is used metaphorically to describe the habit of chasing after the next “shiny” or attractive thing on the horizon i.e., getting easily distracted by new and exciting opportunities or ideas, often at the expense of focusing on existing tasks or goals.

Here are some examples of what “chasing the shiny ball” syndrome might look like in different areas and stages of our lives:

Haphazard Career and Job Search

You start a new job search every time you see a job posting that looks exciting, without giving your current job a fair chance or putting consistent effort into your search.

You frequently switch career paths because you’re drawn to the idea of a new and trendy field, even if it means abandoning your existing skill set.

Becoming an Entrepreneur

You frequently start new businesses or ventures without fully developing or capitalizing on your existing ones. You change business strategies frequently, always chasing the latest trend, instead of sticking with a well-thought-out plan.

Pursuing Personal Projects & Hobbies

You start multiple personal projects (e.g., writing a book, starting a blog, learning a musical instrument) but rarely finish any of them because you’re constantly distracted by new interests. You may have a lot of

Managing Your Financial Assets

You invest in different stocks or asset classes frequently, following the latest investment trends, without giving your investments time to grow. You accumulate numerous credit cards, often opening new ones to take advantage of introductory offers, but end up with excessive debt.

The Attitude towards Education and Learning

You enroll in various courses, workshops, or degree programs but don’t complete them because you’re constantly drawn to new subjects or fields of study.

You frequently switch majors or educational institutions, preventing you from obtaining a degree or specialized knowledge.

Pursuing New Fitness and Health Trends

You start a new diet or exercise regimen every time a new fitness trend emerges, but you don’t stick with any of them long enough to see significant results.

You buy various health supplements or wellness products based on the latest fads, hoping for quick fixes, but don’t commit to a consistent health routine.

The Passion for New Technology and Gadgets

You frequently upgrade to the latest gadgets, phones, or technology devices, even when your current ones are still functional.

You download and try out a multitude of apps, software, or online tools but never become proficient in any of them.

Pursuing Relationships

You jump from one relationship to another, always looking for the “perfect” partner without investing time and effort in nurturing existing relationships. You may even walk out of a marriage or start cheating if you find your marriage too plain and boring.

You easily abandon friendships or social connections in pursuit of new, exciting acquaintances. This means that your social contact list might be a mile long, but you won’t have much close friends you can call at the time of need. That’s why you tend to feel lonely.

To Sum Up

The key in all these examples is a lack of persistence and focus on long-term goals and commitments, often driven by a fascination with novelty and the fear of missing out on something new and exciting. You love to pursue anything that looks exciting and promising. But your productivity suffers and you find yourself lost and unhappy after a while. Recognizing these tendencies and finding ways to stay committed and focused on your priorities can lead to greater success and fulfillment in various aspects of life.