It happens to all of us; we see something we like and head straight for it. But when it comes to your business and your client this isn’t the right way to do things. Shiny objects are an instant gratification thing. We want it, we get it, we show everyone we have it, then when there is no one else to impress, the feel good effect wears off and these 3 strategies can help you stay on track.

For the benefit of your business and clients, you need to ensure their focus remains on the bigger picture and not waste time and money chasing short term gains or pleasures that will have little if no impact on them or their business.

Here are three strategies that will help you and your client stay focused on the bigger picture and not on shiny objects.

1. Allocate Time To Thinking

As strange as this might sound, the advice here is to take time out now and then to look at what you’re doing with your client and revisiting what their goals are.

If your client has become side-tracked with the idea of a new shiny object what that may be, you need to guide them back on track. Remind them of what it is they want to achieve and assess whether the new fixation will derail them.

2. Choose Specific Goals

If you deconstruct the bigger picture goals of your client into smaller easier to track parts, they’ll become far more actionable. Chunking things down will greatly help your client in being able to see the objectives that matter.

Being able to track your client’s progress to keep them focussed on the bigger picture, goals by reminding them of the small wins, in itself, can become the right sort of shiny object that your client needs. Sometimes, your clients’ may get so busy in the doing that they forget about the wins they have had along the way.

3. Generate Plenty Of Ideas

When there’s a void of idea generation and business related thinking, it’s easy to wander off seeking the instant gratification that comes with a new shiny object. Try to have plenty of ideas about how to grow your client’s business from within.

While there’s always going to be some investment required in new technology or services we often find ourselves buying things because we want them not because we need them.