My new business idea could revolutionise how we work: more money; less time at desks
But is this a case of 'shiny new idea' syndrome?
I have a new business idea. It came to me this morning, while I was out running. And it’s a bloody good one.
It could potentially change how people in my community run their businesses. It will help them to save time, make more money and reduce their ‘to-do’ list.
It would mean that instead of spending working hours grafting away on laptops, they could be out in nature, or meditating. Swimming; seeing friends.
Like all the best ideas, it came from a conversation.
I had an old friend staying at the weekend, and he’s moving into a very niche new line of work.
As he told me about it, I felt excited for him. He is onto something big.
New. Shiny. Brilliant.
The future.
He shared the challenges he’s facing and I tried to think of ways that he could overcome them.
And then, mid-run today, it struck me: he needs what I have (a community of freelancers/business owners) and I need his knowledge.
Together, I realised, we could create something amazing.
I phoned him up and shared my idea for how we could collaborate in a mutually beneficial way, and he listened.
He could see the benefits for him, and for me.
We talked through various options for how it could work and possible challenges we may face in the future.
And then we agreed to each go away and give it some more thought.
After putting down the phone, I went into a yoga nidra meditation. I set an intention of ‘focus’ hoping I’d return with a clear vision for our project.
Or a message that perhaps it wasn’t the right area for me to be focusing on right now.
As I woke from my meditation, I realised I may have a strong case of ‘shiny new thing’ syndrome.
Where something ‘new’ feels really exciting. But sometimes, that’s because it feels easier than continuing with the work you’re already doing.
It can be a bit like buying a new dress for a night out rather than trying to re-work an an old trusty.
The new dress might make you feel energised and like an exciting version of yourself but the old one shouldn’t just be discarded; it still has value.
Also, what if the new one quickly falls apart and you realise the other one has longevity?
In business, newness is thrilling. Ideas swimming around your mind; big energy conversations; the knowledge that this one is gonna take off.
And that it won’t even require much effort to get people on-board with it.
This idea, for me, is potentially a lot more lucrative than some of my current income streams.
And while money isn’t everything, I like to have enough.
Actually, I like to have plenty. So that I can have new experiences (holidays, theatre trips, going to new exhibitions) without ever worrying.
But I also like to work less hours, not more. I want to create as much time as possible for my SQ practices, like breathwork and walking in the woods.
So I decided to coach myself through the two options:
Plough on with the exciting new idea - dive in, give it my all, see what happens.
Quit before either of us put in any more time and effort, as I already have quite a few things going on.
Want to hear the business idea, how I’m working through the two options and see my coaching questions for dealing with your own (potential) ‘shiny new thing’ syndrome?