I’m a Visionary.
Which means I have about 47 new business ideas a day… before lunch.
I get excited by opportunity. Innovation. Potential.
My brain is a non-stop idea factory, which is great… until it’s not.
Better Business, Better Life – Issue 154
BUSINESS TOOLS & REAL-LIFE LESSONS
Why Us Visionaries Get Distracted by Bright, Shiny Objects (& How to Stop It)
Because here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Bright, shiny objects are the enemy of execution.
They feel productive, but often they’re just distractions dressed up as progress.
What counts as a ‘bright, shiny object’?
- A new software tool that might solve a problem you haven’t fully defined
- A sudden pivot in your marketing plan because someone on LinkedIn went viral
- A ‘quick’ side project that eats up your team’s time for months
- A new hire, a new partnership, or a new product before fixing the basics
- Chasing an industry trend without checking if it fits your Core Focus
Sound familiar? Yep – me too.
Like the time I built out an entire coaching programme before validating if it was what my audience actually needed. Spoiler: it wasn’t. But gosh, the logo looked great…
Why we fall for them:
- We’re wired for possibility, not process. Visionaries live in the land of “what if”.
- We crave excitement. Steady execution can feel boring compared to the thrill of the new.
- We’re usually really persuasive. We can convince ourselves – and our teams – that it’s worth doing.
- We hate being boxed in. Structure feels stifling… until we realise we’re spinning in circles without it.
How to stop the chaos (without killing your creativity):
- Use your Vision/Traction Organiser (V/TO) like a filter.
Every new idea has to pass through your 10-Year Target, Core Focus & 1-Year Plan.
If it doesn’t fit – it’s a no. Not a maybe. Not a “we’ll circle back”. Just… no. - Write it down, don’t act on it.
Keep a “Bright Ideas Parking Lot”. You’re not ignoring your genius – you’re just delaying it until the right time. (I review mine every quarter.) - Build a strong Integrator relationship.
Your Integrator is your brakes. You’re the accelerator. You need both.
Give them permission to push back, challenge you & prioritise execution. - Set 90-day Rocks – & stick to them.
Fewer goals. Greater focus. Less noise.
Every Rock you add without finishing others? You’re just diluting your impact. - Practice saying, “Not now.”
Doesn’t mean never. Just means later. You’re not rejecting your ideas – you’re respecting your team’s bandwidth.
Final thought from one magpie to another:
Creativity is your superpower – but if it’s not grounded in discipline, it becomes a liability.
EOS doesn’t kill innovation. It protects it – by making sure the right ideas get executed at the right time.
So, next time you feel the urge to chase something shiny?
Pause. Breathe.
Then ask yourself:
“Is this helping us get closer to our vision – or just distracting us from it?”
If in doubt… park it.
Or call your Integrator before you act on it. Or better yet, call me – I’ll tell you straight.
Struggling to focus on the right things? Let’s get your leadership team aligned & executing.
LINKS TO USEFUL STUFF
This section gives you quick access to 3 links - to articles, blogs, podcasts & stuff that will help you to create a better business & lead a better life.
Better Business and Life Resources
Article
The Dangers of Shiny
Things
Avoid distractions and stay focused on your core priorities.
Podcast
The Attention Seeker’s Guide to Leadership & Personal Brand
Build a standout brand identity through bold leadership.
Life Stuff
How To Focus on What Matters in Life
Focus on what really matters and live intentionally.
We are here to help you live a better life by creating a better business. We are real-life business owners with years of experience & a strong desire to make a huge difference to the lives of entrepreneurs.
If anything here resonates with you or you would like our help, then please get in contact. Just reply to this newsletter & let us know who you would like to speak to…. Or visit our webpage & contact any of our team from their own pages.
If you know someone who would benefit from reading this, then please forward it onto them. 💖
NEED HELP?
If you’d like to learn more about any of these tools or would like to find out how I can help you achieve a better life through creating a better business, then book a free Discovery Call with me.
We’ll talk about what you want to get from your business & your life & come up with a plan to do that!
Debra Chantry-Taylor
Certified EOS Implementer | Accredited Family Business Advisor | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Speaker & Workshop Facilitator