The Real-Life Challenge: Shiny Projects, No Progress
I’ve seen so many talented leaders wake up feeling drained, not because they lack motivation, but because they’re pulled in too many directions by shiny new priorities.
One client laughed as he told me:
“Maybe that’s why I’m into so many new personal projects—everything looks shiny and interesting, and I chase all of them. Right now, I’m listening to five books at once!”
I see this all the time, not just in executive suites but in my own work too. We have plenty of good intentions, but our actions get scattered and real progress feels slow. The problem isn’t drive. It’s the belief that we must feel motivated before we can start.
From Science to Practice: Action Sparks Motivation
What I’ve learned, both from research and experience, is this: waiting to “feel ready” is a trap. The more shiny projects you chase, the more distracted you become. Momentum doesn’t come from inspiration, it comes from action.
When you act first, motivation follows. Here’s how to make that shift:
- Pick one goal and make it specific. Instead of “I want to get smarter,” try “I will finish one book this week.”
- Celebrate even the smallest wins. Each finished chapter or checked-off task provides a boost that fuels your next step.
- Make distraction harder. Move those other books off your desk, silence notifications, and make the right choice the easy choice.
- Get someone else involved. Share your goal with a friend or colleague and set a check-in time. Public accountability makes follow-through far more likely.
Real Case Study: Turning Shiny Distraction into Relentless Progress
In that same coaching session, here’s how my client turned distraction into focus:
- Week 1: Wrote down every possible priority on sticky notes.
- Week 2: Selected one that aligned to both business value and personal meaning.
- Daily Action: Began each morning with a focused 10-minute sprint on that single priority, before emails, meetings, or other distractions.
- The Result: Motivation and energy increased. Finishing the first project built confidence and created a repeatable system for future progress.
Checklist: Design for Action, Not Just Inspiration
- Action before motivation. Do something on your priority today.
- Make it specific. Turn “get organized” into “file 10 documents at 9 am.”
- Track small wins. Use a visible tracker like sticky notes, a checklist, or an app.
- Shape your workspace. Keep your number one project front and center, hide the rest.
- Use public commitment. Tell a peer, manager, or coach about your choice.
- Expect setbacks. Treat distraction as data and notice what pulled you away.
Growth Prompt
What’s one thing you can finish today? Instead of chasing every shiny project, pick one and see it through. Real progress, not just planning, builds motivation. Stay curious, stay focused, and keep moving forward.