Productivity Tip:

Avoid Shiny Toy Syndrome

New tools and technologies are all around us. Sure—they present us with unprecedented opportunities, but they can also be a huge distraction. 

If you’re grappling with shiny toy syndrome, where the allure of new ideas constantly distracts you, here’s a tip. Begin by recognizing the signs: maybe you’re always switching tools, chasing the latest tech trends, or hopping between projects without giving things time to grow.

This pursuit of novelty is driven by dopamine, making new ventures feel irresistibly exciting. But there are ways to stay on track, like using a decision matrix, limiting media consumption, and implementing a cooling-off period before jumping into something new. 

Get some more strategies here and here, and avoid the FOMO of that next shiny new thing.

Routine Breakdown

Stuart Davis, Co-Founder of Dubs Universe

A Footwear Innovator’s Daily Ritual

Stuart Davis, co-founder of sustainable kids footwear brand Dubs, loves rising at 5:30am. “Getting up early makes the day seem so much longer. And I love the feeling of having done a load of work or being in the gym before some people have even woken up.”

The Routine:

• Grabs his gym kit and is at the gym by 6. “I need the exercise—it’s good for my brain and really kicks my day off.”
• Gets home and gets his 6-year-old daughter ready for school. 
• Has coffee and makes breakfast for the family.
• Sits down and starts working through his to-do list from the night before. “At the end of each day, I go through my list and highlight all the urgent things I need to do tomorrow in red, and all the things I want to complete tomorrow in yellow. So each morning, I have a sense of order to them.”

Why it works:

• Morning exercise can boost your energy levels, focus, mood, and more.
• Family time is not only crucial for the child’s development—it’s also important for adults’ mental health!
• Keeping tasks organized and prioritized keeps you focused on what most matters to your long-term goals.

Stuart tries to keep his weekend mornings work-free. “This is sort of ‘my time.’ Usually I get about an hour to myself before my daughter wakes.” He adds that she has started joining him at around 6.30 to play a kid-friendly Xbox game together. “I love that—she appears in her dressing down, barely awake, and snuggles down next to me all warm. It’s lovely,” he says.

How do you make family time a part of your regular routine?