Confessions From A “Creative Avoidance” Addict and “Shiny Object” Junkie

Step One

Hi.  My name is Ken Brand and I’m a “Creative Avoidance” addict and “Shiny Object” junkie. Recovering.

Addiction runs in my family.  I’ve been an addict for 30 years.  It began innocently enough.

I passed the test.  They mailed my license.   My broker told me I was the “boss of myself”.

I was an Unconscious Incompetent and I floundered.

Being slow but not stupid, cogs clicked.  Oh! You need to work hard. So I did. But, I didn’t work smart.   I embraced ways to avoid personal engagement. I was distracted by shiny objects.  I worked on the wrong things because I was afraid.

I Was Afraid Of The Unknown

1. Afraid of saying the wrong thing.
2. Afraid of looking stupid.
3. Afraid of rejection.
4. Afraid of ridicule.
5. Afraid of being unprepared.
6. Afraid of not knowing the right answer.
7. Afraid of letting people down.
8. Afraid of success.
9. What are you afraid of?

Fear Paralyzed My Productivity and Fueled Bone-Headed and Unproductive Behaviors.

To supress my fear and feel better about myself, I wheeled  into kinetic action.  I did things I could master and manage. I did things that made me feel busy. I did things I thought were cool. I did things that exhausted me. I did things that gave me a sense of accomplishment.

I engaged in Creative Avoidance.  I worked hard but not smart.  I worked fearfully.  I avoided In-Person and On-Purpose personal contact, conversation, asking for referrals, asking for recommendations and asking for business.

I chased shiny-objects.

I was busy, but broke.  I was active, but unproductive.

I started but did not finish. I loaded my gun.  I cocked my gun. I aimed my gun.  But I never pulled the trigger.

I was always getting ready to get ready, to get ready, to get ready…..

I spent tedious hours recreating and redesigning  magical-silver-bullets;  flyers, post cards, eCards, newsletters, tweets, presentations, FB updates, blogs, websites, data bases, letters and short-cut-strategies.

When I did meet new prospects, I failed to follow-up quickly.  Then I failed to follow-up because I hadn’t followed-up.  Then I chased new strangers.  Then I failed to follow-up quickly.  Then I failed….

I over did things that sucked time, energy, emotion and cash.  I under-did productive stuff.

Thankfully, all was not  lost and it’s never to late to become what we might have been.

Repent and ReDirect

I’m learning that contact, interaction, conversation and engagement is THE most important-productive stuff.  No “contact” no “contract”.

I’m learning that Failing Faster will help me Succeed Sooner.

I’m learning that occasionally, I’m gonna say and do things that make me look stupid.  It’s OK. Some will, some won’t, so what!

I’m learning that it’s OK to feel fearful,  Fear is my friend. I should hug, kiss, pet, friend and learn from it, not run from it.

I’m learning to prioritize and postpone the burning desire and seductive allure of immediate “Shiny Object” gratification. (For me, this is the rock hardest of all?)

I’m learning to recognize and shun “Creative Avoidance”.

I’m learning to “Attract” and “Loyalize” instead of “Chase” and “Capture”.

I’m learning that my marketing, promotion, social media, advertising and networking stuff should cause this to happen:

The Dance

Everyday’s new.  A new chance to Rise Up.

Addictions don’t die, they’re tamed and trained.  When my what’s-right will recedes or a take a humbling tumble, I don’t freak or punish myself.  I smile, sigh, shrug, rise and stride forward.

I know what I need to do.  I reflect,  redirect and dance on.

My hope is that you can learn from my mistakes.  Avoid “Creative Avoidance” and manage pesky “Shiny Object Syndrome.”  Engage in On-Purpose, In-Person contact and conversation.  Do productive stuff.  When you fall, RISE.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

What’s your story?

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Thanks for reading.

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