Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) is that feeling we get when we are easily distracted. It happens a lot when we are delaying something we don’t feel ready to tackle. It is right up there and often overlaps with being a “procrastilearner.” Procrastilearning is when you keep substituting research and learning, more than you need to, prior to making a decision. Don’t get me wrong, do your research, check out your options, but not ad nauseam and definitely not in lieu of actual work outcomes.
Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) occurs a lot in grant writing and fundraising. People aren’t always comfortable asking for money, whether it is from a donor or through a grant. Subsequently, SOS kicks in and every email, google ad, and/or colleague recommendation 
of a tool comes back into play. I see it most often when it comes to grant and funding research.
Back in the day options for researching grants and potential funders most often resided at the local library where a big fat book of possible funders might exist. Those days are long gone and if you have a laptop and an internet connection you can make more magic happen from the comfort of your office than you ever could schlepping to and from the library.
The biggest obstacle in making your funding dreams come true is investing a ton of time on how to find funders, and what database, and/or tools you should utilize. Any tool. plus work, is far superior and provides better outcomes than endless research of what avenue to take. Honestly, the biggest difference in funding and grant research tools is price tag. The option you go with won’t make or break your efforts.
What will make or break your grant writing and/or other donor requests is the work you’ve put into building relationships. No tool can replace what a solid relationship will provide. Relationships are truly the best investment of time. Spending money on a tool often trumps building relationships because it is easier, and as we all know, easier doesn’t always equal better.
Strategic Alignment & Results 