Written by: Mandy Nicholson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As a creative entrepreneur, you will be watching people around you set goals and talk about their plans for the new year. Meanwhile, your brain is firing ideas and plans around like a pinball machine fires a silver ball. This can leave you feeling overwhelmed as you compare yourself, unrealistically, to others.
If you are feeling like you are already lagging when you wanted to be on point this year, here are some tips to help you manage the shiny objects and stay on track:
1. Align yourself with the way you work.
Accept that your brain is wired differently. Gain clarity in what you want your business to look like and how you operate it. Have an end goal. Where is your business heading? Which social media platform do you enjoy most? Which marketing strategies do you feel comfortable with? Jordan Peterson shares an insight into the Curse of Creativity.
2. Assess the potential of the next shiny thing.
Will this idea work? Ask questions. What impact will this have? How much will it cost? What is the income potential? What else would I need to make it happen? What knowledge do I need to make it happen? By pausing to assess you are giving your brain time to see the shiny and figure out if it is a need or a want.
3. Focus on limited projects.
Creatives tend to think they can do all the things, leaving a plethora of unfinished projects in their wake. You need variety so that you don’t get bored but set boundaries. No more than three projects at any one time and park new ideas until one project has been finished. Ask questions if you feel you are being pulled. What is it I am feeling? How grounded do I feel? Where am I being pulled? Am I comparing myself to someone? Does this idea require research?
Without a clear vision or goal to map out where you are going, how will you get there? You will be wandering aimlessly, and this is when the shiny objects pop up. Nailing an overall business strategy which includes the systems and tools you need will give you clarity. You can change the tools and systems as your business evolves based on research and objectivity. Take time. Do it right. Review it. Change it.
5. Learn from your previous successes.
Take the time to look at what went well. Plan. Do. Review. Celebrate your success, make a checklist of the positives, and know that you have what it takes. You don’t need to chase every shiny object out there. The latest shiny may not be what you need.
We can all become distracted by shiny object syndrome. It is how we align, assess, and get clear on our vision that makes the biggest difference. Don’t try and fix your business with a new shiny thing, focus on starting with you.
Mandy Nicholson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Mandy Nicholson, is a Creative Genius Consultant, Artist and Author who helps creative women to launch, grow and scale their businesses and make more money. Like a huge % of creative women, Mandy ended up in a 'proper job' after she completed her BA in Art and Design, and spent decades forging a successful career in retail. It was only after a life-altering series of unfortunate events, which saw her end up at rock bottom, that the pull of creativity called her to launch her creative business in 2019. Mandy now has multiple income streams connecting her creative business, serving and educating women. Her mission: Painting the future for creative business, one woman at a time.
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