How to Commit to Something When you Have So Many Options and Interests

I recently received this message, and this article is a response to that message.

“Hey Dan! Hope you’re doing well. I just read your blog post about SOS (shiny object syndrome, read here) and it totally resonated with me because I’m the same way! I feel like I always have great ideas, but never take initiative on getting them started because I find something else interesting that I dive into. I start reading up on that thing, watching videos, etc and it feels like I’m being productive because I’m not playing video games or watching Netflix, but I’m really not getting anywhere!

I’d love to hear how you’ve made the switch for yourself.

How did you decide on what that 1 project was going to be?

And what advice would you have for someone like me who can’t walk away from their job, but still wants to work on a side hustle or something that will help me increase my earnings?”

This is the story of my life! I’ve lived like this for most of my life.

Too many opportunities, not enough time.

This is a real blessing and I first need to acknowledge that not everyone feels that they have lots of opportunities to choose from, or ideas to work on.

However, when you have a lot of different business ideas and interests, it gets really easy to get super excited about the new, and when that wears off, move on to the next shiny new thing.

This is called Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS). I write more about that here.

The best way I can answer this is to give you the right questions to ask yourself.

These 3 questions will point yourself in the right direction.

Question #1 –

What subject have I consistently spent time on, or felt passion for over the years?

This question will help you identify consistency in your life. When you constantly have new ideas, it’s important to identify the themes behind those ideas. What gets you most excited? What keeps you up at night consistently?

What ideas have come, then gone, but come again, and again, and again?

For me, when I asked myself this question, I realized that I love digesting information and then simplifying it to teach others to get results.

Idenitfying these themes will help you know where to look again for the specfics of your focus, instead of having a wide open canvas.

Creativity loves constraint.

Question #2 –

If I HAD to pick 1 thing to do for the next 6 Months as a side-hustle, and I had to say no to everything else, what would I choose to do?

It’s easy to get caught in the “waiting game”. Waiting for the next idea even though we already have 3-4 ideas today. Don’t wait, take action.

Pick one of those ideas an only work on it for 1-2 hours a day for 3-6 months.

At the end of your 3-6 month commitment to yourself, you will have learned a lot by going down the path. You will have a new perspective on what you enjoy and care about.

Why 3-6 months? Because with every idea, you will hit roadblocks.

If you’ve given yourself a specific time that you will work on 1 specific thing, you’re 100% more likely to press forward when the going gets tough, instead of jumping to another idea.

When you’ve picked your 3-6 month commitment, post about it on social media. Keep yourself accountable.

Don’t be afraid to publicly commit. 3-6 months are going to pass anyway – might as well do something!

With a 3-6 monnth commitment you also have to realize you are not committing to that thing FOREVER. Just for 3-6 months.

If you’re not willing to commit to any of your ideas for at least 3-6 months for 1-2 hours a day, none of your ideas are probably something you should work on.

When it came for me to answer this question – it was clear that I wanted to each other people how to budget and make wise money decisions with my wife for at least 6 months.

I’m so glad I did.

Question #3 –

What would I sincerely regret not doing in 5 years?

This question, like the others is designed to bring clarity to the many options laid before you. I also think it brings meaning into your work.

For me, every business I build, I build it because I want it to help people. My regrets in life have always come from people I could’ve helped, or things I could’ve done that would’ve put me in a position to help more people.

Summary

Ask yourself these three questions – and then pick something for 3-6 months and just go for it. Say no to everything else. V

Very rarely will an opportunity that you said no to initially, will not be available at the end of the 3-6 month commitment on your 1 idea for 1-2 hours a day.

I’m excited to see all the great things you all do!