---
title: How to Avoid the Shiny Object Syndrome in Business
description: Warren Buffett's advice to avoid getting distracted by shiny objects will help you get the best ROI for your time, money and employees.
---

[EOS Worldwide Blog | Tips & Advice for Entrepreneurs and Leaders of Growing Companies](https://info.eosworldwide.com/blog)

# [How to Avoid the Shiny Object Syndrome in Business](https://info.eosworldwide.com/blog/avoid-shiny-object-syndrome-business)

 Written by [Ed Callahan](https://info.eosworldwide.com/blog/author/ed-callahan) | January 26, 2017

The video below offers brilliant words of wisdom attributed to Warren Buffett as career advice to his personal airline pilot, Mike Flint. I have read this story before. This gentleman, self-described creativity expert James Taylor, offers it as advice for creatives.

I offer it as advice for business owners and leaders. It syncs really well with the precepts of EOS®, which all support the idea that [Less Is More](http://blog.eosworldwide.com/blog/keep-it-simple-your-business-path-success#axzz4WmTAgITk). Focus on the most important goals for your business, your department, your personal life – this quarter, this year, always.

## Maintain Your Company's Core Focus 

We challenge business owners to [write down their Core Focus](http://blog.eosworldwide.com/blog/the-high-cost-of-losing-focus-in-your-business#axzz4WmTAgITk), answering two questions:

- Why do they do what they do?
- What do they want to be better at than anyone else?

Use that answer to avoid getting [distracted by Shiny Stuff](http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnbaldoni/2013/07/23/are-bright-shiny-objects-worth-your-time-and-money/#39ee9e8a1e1e). You will get the best ROI—whatever time, money and people you dedicate to focusing on those goals.

## Warren Buffett's Advice for Creatives

If you can’t see the video below, you can view it [here](https://youtu.be/uhFe-gkYVoo) on YouTube. 

 

## Next Steps

- Download a [free chapter of *Traction*](http://www.eosworldwide.com/traction) by EOS founder Gino Wickman.
- Request a [free 90-Minute Meeting](http://traction.eosworldwide.com/90mm) with an EOS Implementer to get a clear picture of what it looks like to run your company on EOS.

*This post originally appeared on the [Coherent Coaching blog](http://www.coherent-coaching.com/avoiding-shiny-stuff/) on October 11, 2016.*

[View full post](https://info.eosworldwide.com/blog/avoid-shiny-object-syndrome-business)

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