Shiny Penny Syndrome

Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. [Proverbs 4:25-26].

QUOTE: The biggest challenge is to have discipline when there are so many competing things (Alexa Hirschfeld).

Hold on, one second, I’ll be right back, there goes a shiny penny!!!!

I’ve included this shiny penny message because even if you are not an entrepreneur, you still may get distracted and may not focus on what is truly important.

Entrepreneurs have more ideas going on in their minds and have more done before ninety-nine percent of the people have even gotten out of bed. Their minds are constantly on overdrive, which sometimes makes them seem aloof, short, or even rude. But the thing is, they are already thinking way past the moment, and they think they know what you are going to say, so when you have a lengthy story, they are thinking, “get to the point, please.” One of my girlfriend’s husband says, “just land the plane!”

Most entrepreneurs have a bucket load of things (pennies) that they know need to be accomplished when over there is another beautiful bucket full of bright new shiny pennies! Oh yes, that bucket is gorgeous and represents a zillion more ideas. Dump that bucket over and the pennies go rolling everywhere! The (unfocused) entrepreneur wants every single one of those pennies: “oh look, there’s another one under the desk, oh, another one over there, oh, grab the one rolling out the door.”

They will chase them and try to capture all of them, all at the same time!!! Those shiny pennies are new ideas, new marketing strategies, new technology, new software, new coaching methods, another business idea: “oh, grab that penny under your shoe please.” Most entrepreneurs can get so distracted to the point that they forget what was in their initial to-do bucket. The “shiny penny syndrome” is a phenomenon that every entrepreneur will experience and will need to learn how to manage.

One of my mentors gave some really valuable advice about all these pennies: When a shiny penny rolls by (an idea comes into your head), pick up that penny and put it into a piggy bank, save it for another time, no need to spend it yet. In other words, think about the idea and ask, does it align with my current goals? If not, write it down in my idea journal, save it for another time. No need to implement EVERY SINGLE idea you have all at the same time. “Have a plan and work your plan” is a mantra every coach will say. Now this doesn’t mean that plans don’t change, but we don’t want to get so distracted or enticed by shiny pennies (with another idea) that we forget the first the first bucket of pennies (daily tasks) that we need to work on.

As an entrepreneur you know exactly what I mean, especially if you are a one-person show. You are the idea queen, the marketer, the webmaster, the salesperson, the networker, the dishwasher, the candlestick maker. You get the drift. You are all things, at all times, and sometimes those shiny pennies rolling by look better than what you currently are doing.

There is a Scripture that I think will help ground us and limit the penny chasing. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much”. (Luke 16:10)

• It’s about our willingness to stick with one thing and complete it to the best of our ability.
• It’s about being committed to the small necessary tasks that need to be done in our business or life.
• It’s about using the pennies we have been given to the best of our ability before spending more.
• It’s knowing that these little things (current bucket of pennies) are important things.
• It’s believing that taking care of little things (current bucket of pennies) can bring more opportunities like a new bucket of earned shiny pennies!

Those shiny pennies are distractions and can be fleeting tests of our commitment to our God-given vision. For each one of us there are different shiny pennies that distract us from doing what God has called us to do. Don’t dismiss this chapter if you are not an entrepreneur because the “shiny penny syndrome” is not only a challenge for entrepreneurs. It is a challenge for everyone; however, you may not be aware of this phenomenon like entrepreneurs are, until now.

I was the epitome of the “shiny penny” entrepreneur. I could start five businesses in a year and do something totally different the following year. I think there is more behind why we chase those pennies than what we may realize. For me, part of it was survival because I have always supported myself and I also prefer working for myself. Honestly, I’m not a very good employee; it ruffles my feathers. I simply love to create and build businesses; this may seem crazy to some people. However, that is why I love serving business owners and entrepreneurs!

SHINY PENNY SYNDROME: For me, the biggest part of chasing pennies was unconsciously avoiding what God called me to do. I knew that a real transformational business involved intimate relationships with people, public speaking, writing from the heart, and being vulnerable. It was all things that I needed to learn and grow into and growing is sooooo painful. Urrggh, I thought in my pea-sized brain, it would be easier to simply chase shiny pennies!!! NOT.

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DAILY ACTION STEP
Say to yourself out loud
I AM WHO GOD SAYS I AM…
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FRIENDLY REMINDER: Take out your journal and write down your thoughts, takeaways, and progress for this week!

TAKEAWAY GEMS

• Those “shiny pennies” are distractions from our commitment to our God-given vision.
• “Shiny pennies” are anything that takes our attention from doing what God has called us to do.
• Save ideas instead of using them all at once if they do not align with our current goals.
• Create an “emergency fund” with these pennies.
• Stick with one thing to completion to the best of our ability.
• Be committed to the small necessary tasks that need to be done in our business or life.
• Use the gifts and skills we have been given.
• Remember little things are important things.

QUESTIONS TO “THINK ON”

1. What are some “shiny pennies” you have chased that have kept you from doing what God has called you to do?
2. What “shiny pennies” are currently in your life that are preventing you from using all of your gifts and talents that the Lord has given you?
3. What can you do right now to curb the “shiny penny” syndrome?

ACTION STEP: SET INTENTIONS: One way to curb our appeal for chasing “shiny pennies” is to have an focused game plan. Each week set up your game plan (your intentions) for your life or for your business. Then, prioritize for each day of the week!!

DAILY SCRIPTURES

DAY 1: Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. [1 Timothy 4:16]

DAY 2: Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward and that the Master you are serving is Christ. [Colossians 3:23-24]

DAY 3: If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. [Luke 16:10]

DAY 4: Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil [Proverbs 4:25-27]

DAY 5: I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. [Psalm 16:8]

DAY 6: Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. [Psalm 37:5-6]

DAY 7: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. [Psalm 51:10]