Funnel Focus? More Like Funnel Fiasco: My Battle with Imposter Syndrome & Shiny Object Syndrome
My some-day possible goat farm
Ah, the dream of a perfect business funnel. I pictured myself sitting in a cozy, well-lit office, sipping tea like a wise, accomplished entrepreneur while my automated systems smoothly guided clients to sign up for my coaching. Everything was seamless, effortless, and — let’s be honest — probably accompanied by a soft orchestral soundtrack in the background.
And then reality slapped me in the face. Hard.
Because here’s what actually happened: I sat down to work on my funnel, got overwhelmed, questioned all my life choices, started Googling “best CRM for anxious entrepreneurs,” somehow ended up researching whether I should start a podcast, and then — before I knew it — spent the next 45 minutes scrolling Instagram, convincing myself it was “market research.”
If this sounds familiar, congratulations! You, too, may be suffering from a delightful cocktail of imposter syndrome and shiny object syndrome. Allow me to walk you through my personal experience with this highly unproductive (but oddly entertaining) cycle.
Step 1: Imposter Syndrome Enters the Chat
The moment I start making progress, my brain is like:
“Wow, you’re really going to put yourself out there like that? Bold move. Hope you don’t embarrass yourself in front of the whole internet!”
Imposter syndrome is that uninvited guest at the party who stands in the corner, sipping their drink, quietly judging all your decisions. It whispers things like:
“What if nobody signs up?”
“Maybe you should take just one more course before launching.”
“Oh wow, so and so on Instagram has a way better funnel. Maybe you should just become a goat farmer instead.”
And suddenly, instead of actually working on my funnel, I’m questioning my entire existence and mentally designing my future goat farm (complete with little sweaters for the goats, obviously).
Step 2: Ooooh, Look! A New Idea!
If imposter syndrome doesn’t take me down, shiny object syndrome will.
The process usually goes like this: I finally convince myself to push forward with my funnel when — BOOM — a new idea crashes into my brain like an overly excited puppy.
“WAIT. Should I be starting a YouTube channel instead?!”
“OMG, what if I pivot and sell luxury meditation pillows?!”
“Hang on, should I launch an online summit??”
And just like that, the funnel is abandoned while I chase my next brilliant, game-changing, absolutely-must-do-right-now idea. Which, of course, never actually gets finished either because — spoiler alert — a newer, shinier idea will arrive next week.
Step 3: The Cycle of Chaos (And How I’m Trying to Break It)
At this point, I’ve realized that I’ve been running in circles. It’s like my business is a treadmill — lots of effort, zero movement.
So, here’s what I’m doing to try (keyword: try) and stay on track:
The “Shiny Idea Parking Lot” — I keep a document where I dump all my random business ideas so I don’t feel the need to act on them immediately. Most of them will still sound great later. Some will sound ridiculous. Both are fine.
Forcing Myself to Finish One Thing Before Moving On — Even when my brain throws a tantrum and begs me to start a new project, I remind myself that an okay funnel that exists is better than a perfect one that doesn’t.
Asking “Would Future Me Be Glad I Stuck With This?” — Nine times out of ten, the answer is yes. That tenth time? Probably a goat farm day.
Step 4: Embracing the Funnel Fiasco
If you’re also drowning in half-finished projects, doubting yourself every step of the way, and secretly considering running off to the mountains to live a simpler life, just know — you’re not alone.
Perfection isn’t required to build a business. Persistence is.
So here I am, slowly but surely, forcing myself to push past the self-doubt, finish my funnel, and not get sidetracked by yet another brilliant business idea.
And if all else fails? Well, there’s always the goat farm.
Or, Other Next Steps
If your current job is leaving you feeling drained, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the work you once loved, burnout truly doesn’t have to become your norm. Before you go and buy a goat farm, my free guide, Managing Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, and Burnout: A Life Raft for Therapists, may be your next step. It will help you regain clarity, restore your energy, and reconnect with your passion.
Inside, you'll discover:
✅ Practical strategies to prevent burnout before it takes over
✅ Simple mindset shifts to feel more in control of your work-life balance
✅ Tools to protect your energy while still showing up for your clients
Ready to reclaim your purpose and feel excited about your work again? Download your free guide now and take the first step toward burnout-proofing your career. (No goats included).
The first step is always the hardest, but it’s also the most powerful. Are you ready to take it?