Shiny Object Syndrome

Setting goals often feels like drinking the first coffee of the morning—full of promise, energy, and a little bit of hope. You imagine the outcome, visualize the success, and maybe even share it with a friend. There’s a spark, you feel ready, and then the plan begins.

Suddenly, the thrill fades, the steps feel repetitive, and the results are slow. You start wondering if you’re doing something wrong, and somewhere in the background, a little voice starts whispering: “If I had that trainer, I’d be crushing this,” or “maybe Hyrox is a better way.” The seductive pull of something newer, easier, or more exciting is always alluring. It’s the psychological equivalent of chasing butterflies while your garden goes untended.

Psychologists call this novelty-seeking behavior, and our brains are wired to crave newness. Dopamine spikes when we encounter something fresh. That’s why buying a new planner feels more productive than using the old one. It’s why we jump from one self-help book to the next without ever finishing the first, but novelty doesn’t equal progress. As James Clear reminds us in Atomic Habits, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” The real transformation happens in the mundane—in the quiet, consistent actions that don’t always feel exciting but build the foundation for lasting change.

Following a plan can feel dull because it lacks the emotional high of starting something new, and the rewards aren’t always immediate. There’s no applause for showing up again, for choosing broccoli over chips, for writing one more paragraph when inspiration is nowhere to be found, but this “boring middle” is where the magic lives. Steven Pressfield calls this Resistance in The War of Art—the force that tries to pull us away from our creative and personal growth. It shows up as procrastination, self-doubt, and yes, shiny objects. The key isn’t to fight resistance with more excitement—it’s to meet it with discipline and clarity.

So, next time you feel tempted to chase something shiny, pause, and ask yourself, “Is this a shortcut—or is this a distraction?” You already have what you need. You just need to keep showing up as you already promised yourself.

Until next time,

Scott and Lennart