You’ve probably heard of: “shiny object syndrome”.
This is the idea that we get distracted from our most important work because we get caught up chasing short-term and shallow pursuits.
Not only does this term accurately reflect the problem, it also hints at the solution.
In particular, the use of the word “shiny” suggests that the shininess of the object blinds us from seeing the full picture.
What’s more important — and often overlooked — is that when light shines on an object, it also casts a shadow.
And it is in the shadow that we can discern whether our desire is deep, enduring, and authentic—or shallow, passing, and mimetic.
This might sound a bit abstract, so let me explain.
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Everything in our world has a positive and negative side.
Light and dark, night and day, birth and death, love and grief, effort and reward, and so on.
You can’t have one without the other.
Understanding this can help you to figure out if you really want something because it takes your focus away from the shiny object, and places it on the shadow side.
In other words, onto the problems you will continuously need to solve to acquire the shiny object.
This is important for two reasons.
Firstly, because—at the most basic level—every profession or pursuit in life is essentially a game of solving problems.
Although the type of problems vary, the one guarantee is the existence of problems.
Therapists solve interpersonal problems. Accountants solve money problems. Personal trainers solve fitness problems. And so on.
Those who are best at solving the problem, usually win the game.
And you can only be the best—and stay in the game for the long haul—if you genuinely love the problems you’re being paid to solve.
Secondly, because we vary widely in the type of problems we like solving.
Some thrive in solving analytical problems (e.g. data scientists).
Others love the problems of organising experiences (e.g. event planners).
While others (e.g. entrepreneurs) love the problems associated with building something from nothing.
So it is in our particular aptitude for problem solving where we find the greatest clarity.
Personally, I thrive in conflict situations and solving interpersonal problems.
But if you place me in front of an unassembled piece of IKEA furniture, or a spreadsheet with last year’s tax returns, I’m like a fish out of water.
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Therefore, if you notice a desire taking hold within you—and if you want to decipher if it is shallow or deep—ask:
1.) What are the problems I will continuously need to solve in order to achieve this outcome?
and:
2.) Do I truly want these problems to be a regular feature in my life?
Had I asked these questions before I started my first two businesses, I would have saved myself years of wasted time and energy.
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The inspiration for this post came from this article from Mark Manson: The Most Important Question of Your Life.
