Do you have Shiny Object Syndrome as a dev?

As developers, we often see new technologies, frameworks, and tools that seem exciting. We might feel like we need to learn and use them right away. But this can lead to something called Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS), which can make us less productive.

What is Shiny Object Syndrome?
Shiny Object Syndrome is when we keep chasing after new and exciting things, even if it means we don't finish our current projects. In programming, this means jumping between different technologies and tools without really mastering any of them.

Why Shiny Object Syndrome is Bad
Shiny Object Syndrome can cause problems for developers:

1.We get less done: When we switch between technologies and projects too much, we don't focus deeply. We spend more time learning than actually building things.

1. We don't finish projects: We might start something new and exciting, but then lose interest and move on to the next thing before finishing.

2. We don't become experts: By trying to learn everything, we don't develop deep skills in any one area. This can limit our career growth.

How to Beat Shiny Object Syndrome
Here are some tips to stay focused and avoid Shiny Object Syndrome:

1. Know what's important: Before starting something new, ask yourself if it fits your current goals. Will it help you deliver value or grow your career?

2. Set aside time for learning: Instead of trying to learn everything at once, dedicate specific times for learning and exploring.

3. Focus on a few things: Rather than learning a little about everything, develop deep knowledge in a few key areas.

4. Learn what you need: When starting a project, learn just enough about the technologies and tools to get the job done. Don't get stuck trying to learn every detail upfront.

5. Limit yourself: Sometimes, having limits can be good. By sticking to a specific set of technologies or tools, you can focus on mastering them and building great things.

In Summary
Shiny Object Syndrome is a common problem for developers, but we can beat it by staying focused. By setting priorities, making time for learning, focusing deeply, learning what we need, and enhancing limits, we can stay on track and build amazing things.