Why I Keep a Shiny Objects Folder in My Notes App
I have a folder in the Notes app on my phone titled Shiny Objects. Every time I come across something tempting that threatens to pull me away from my current goal, whether it's a continuing education course, a mastermind, or a plan to (re)start writing my book, I don't buy it. I don't sign up. I don't abandon ship. I add it to the list.
That folder is packed.
They are valuable resources. Most of them are great ideas. But they're not the right idea right now.
When building a business starts to feel tough (and spoiler alert, it always does), it's easy to think, Oh, maybe I'll write that book instead. That sounds fun. I'll be productive, creative, and definitely not uncomfortable or stretched. (ha!) But that's exactly the moment I need to stay on course. Because progress doesn't always feel good. And chasing something shiny isn't a strategy, it's an escape.
So I write it down and walk away.
Three Reasons This Mindset Trick Works
That simple act of adding to a "later" list helps me stay focused for three big reasons:
It helps me name the distraction for what it is, a shiny object, not a priority.
It doesn't require me to say never, just not now. I don’t feel deprived by that.
It frees up my brain from spinning on other options. I'm not wasting energy debating. I've already decided.
It's a small mindset trick with big ripple effects. I'm sharing this with you because it also applies directly to health and fitness.
The Health and Fitness Version of Shiny Object Syndrome
Fitness has a shiny object problem.
You've seen it. A new app, a new diet, a "this one move changed my life" video, a program that promises six-pack abs in six weeks or less. It all sounds promising. Exciting, even! Especially when what you're doing right now feels hard or slow, and the excitement wore off three weeks ago. You've been lifting weights, adding veggies, walking more, drinking water, and you're still not sure if anything is "happening." That's when the pull hits.
Maybe you should try keto again (last time you made it three days before you started eyeing the dog’s treats).
Maybe you should start fasting (because you definitely won’t be hangry at 10 a.m.).
Maybe you just need a new program, or a class with louder music and more burpees.
Maybe you’re doing it wrong and that influencer with a six-pack and a half a million followers has the answers.
How to Stay Focused and Stop Starting Over
When these distractions start flooding your brain, the shiny object folder can help. Not literally, although you could start one if you wanted. But the mindset of it.
When your brain serves up a new plan or approach that threatens to derail your consistency, you don't need to act on it. You can acknowledge it. You can even save it for later. But you don't need to follow it right now. Because if your current plan is grounded in the basics, such as strength training, cardio, mostly unprocessed foods, and sufficient recovery, then you're doing it right. You're just in the hard middle part that doesn't come with instant gratification.
Consistency is Boring!
The hard middle is the part where people quit. They didn't fail. The process has just become hard, uncomfortable, or slow, and chasing something new feels easier or more exciting than sticking with it. Something shinier. Something sexier. But they were right on track. The only thing they were missing was patience and the ability to be uncomfortable.
Consistency isn't glamorous. But it works. You don't have to overhaul everything or burn down your routine just because it's not giving you fireworks every week. You just have to keep showing up.
If you’re changing plans every three months, that might be the real reason you’re not seeing results. Progress takes time. Not 12-week total transformations like the fitness industry likes to promise, it’s more like months, even years. The boring stuff, done consistently, is what actually works.
The Real Fix Is Awareness, Not Willpower
Having a way to recognize shiny objects for what they are and set them aside for later is what protects your ability to keep showing up when things feel slow or hard.
And if your plan truly isn't working? That's a different conversation. But most of the time, the problem isn't the plan. The problem is the expectations we put on it, the pace we want from it, or the boredom that creeps in while we wait for the payoff.
The shiny object solution doesn't require willpower.
You notice the temptation. You acknowledge the discomfort. You remind yourself why you started. And then you keep going.
In the meantime, that shiny object will still be there. You didn't throw it out. You didn't swear off new ideas forever. You can still try new things and experiment with new concepts and ideas. You just decided not to derail your current progress for something that might be a distraction in disguise.
The Next Time You Want to Change Plans
So the next time you find yourself tempted to start over with a new diet, a new workout, or a new plan altogether, ask yourself: Is this a true priority shift, or is it a shiny object trying to pull me off track?
You don't need to say no forever. You may only need to say not now. And then get back to work.
Want help figuring out what works for you and your real life?
That's where coaching comes in. No shiny promises. No trendy gimmicks. Just a strategy built around what's doable, sustainable, and grounded in your goals.
Not ready for coaching? Get started by downloading my wellness calendar for July. Each daily task is quick, intentional, and falls into one of three categories I focus on with my clients: move, nourish, and restore. Small actions, done consistently, can lead to real momentum. That’s what this calendar is all about.
{Download the July 2025 Wellness Calendar Here}
Questions? I’d love to help.
Lea
Lea Genders is a board-certified health coach, personal trainer, and workplace wellness consultant based in Fort Worth, TX. She offers corporate wellness programs for employee health and productivity, as well as in-person and virtual training / coaching for individuals worldwide. Her blog shares expert guidance on strength training, running, and sustainable nutrition @fortworth_trainer
When progress feels slow or uncomfortable, it’s tempting to chase something shiny: a new diet, a new plan, a total overhaul. But what if the problem isn’t your plan? What if it’s just the part where it gets hard? In this post, I’m sharing the simple mindset trick I use to stay focused when distractions pop up, and how the same approach can help you stop starting over in your health and fitness goals.