Getting a handle on “shiny red ball syndrome”
As a founder, it can be so easy to get consumed by a big idea or the latest trend – what I lovingly refer to as “the shiny red ball syndrome.” We want to be responsive to our inspirations, emerging trends, and often the feedback and suggestions we’re receiving from others. We get a-ha moments, and we want to be nimble enough to act on it. And if you’re a solopreneur, you often have that flexibility to switch course.
At the same time, moving with the tide of each big or one-off idea can move you off course. You’re moving – and that’s good – but are you doing it in alignment with your goals, audience and where you intend to be in six to 12 months? Will those actions get you to where you want to be, or are they distractions?
If this is you, give yourself grace…
If this resonates, you’re not alone. You’ll know if this is true for you if your marketing tends to be more responsive than strategic, or if you’re getting weighed down by an endless to-do list without a lot of clarity on the big picture.
There’s nothing bad or wrong with any of it. But it’s easier to fall prey to the shiny red ball if we don’t have a roadmap in front of us, especially one that keeps us grounded and intentional with our marketing activities.
I also want to note that I’ve seen this happen with organizations of all different sizes. It’s the job of a founder to be visionary, and it’s the job of their team to keep them grounded in budgets, performance and schedules. But when you’re on your own, you’re playing all the roles. So, how do you create the space to do both?
Honoring the “shiny red ball” while staying on track
I’ll say that this is also a continuous journey with balance. And there isn’t one right way. What I am clear about is the benefit of a working strategic plan to help you set goals and stay on track. We also need to make time and space for generating and capturing those inspirations and ideas that can take us to the future vision of where we want our organizations to go.
To understand whether or not that idea is one you need to act on, it needs to meet all of the following qualifications:
It supports your business goal.
It helps you reach your intended audience(s).
You know how you’ll measure whether or not it’s been successful.
It aligns with you and/or your organization’s mission and values.
Does it check all the boxes? Great, put it into your planning!
Doesn’t quite meet these standards? Create a space for your inspirations and ideas that you can come back to at a later date.
Making space for both the visionary and the doer
We’re naturally called in many different directions. I would assert that women, especially, are multi-taskers and really good at taking care of others’ needs but not at equally prioritizing their own.
You might find that you naturally fall into the camp of either doer or visionary, but in order to make the trains run on time and reach their final destination (enough with the metaphors?), you need to be intentional about dedicating time and space to both functions:
Are there days/times you can set aside for ideation?
Are there days/times for tackling specific tasks, including marketing and operations?
Do you have a place for capturing your big ideas? (i.e. notebook, spreadsheet, vision board…)
What tools do you need to gain clarity, create an action plan, and stay accountable to that plan?
Can you set aside the shoulds and be compassionate when you get off track?
Need help being strategic and intentional with your marketing plans? We can help. Let’s chat.
