Do you struggle with Shiny Object Syndrome (S-O-S)? You know what I mean. You go to the store with a distinct list of things you need and you come home with more new things.

And it’s sure easy to be distracted by the myriad of new choices for connecting with donors and customers. It seems like every day there’s a new platform to research … a brand new (unproven) approach to be tried. It’s so hard to be focused on what to do next that we end up in a heap wishing for the good ol’ days when life was simple.

Well now there’s good news for you and for me. I’ve found the cure for S-O-S and while it’s simple, it’s not easy. The cure?

Strategy.

If you don’t have one, you’ll spend your life chasing the shiny objects around trying something new and ignoring the task at hand. Your strategy should guide you to determine how best to accomplish your mission. If the shiny new object doesn’t fit with the strategy ignore it.

I didn’t say it was easy. It’s work having to put every new object against your strategy and determining if it makes sense to employ. But don’t dismiss the shiny new object just because it’s shiny or new. Let your strategy be your guide.