The Shiny Object Syndrome happens when you're always focusing on something new and current. This often comes at the expense of what you're already doing.
The problem with this syndrome is that you end up chasing the latest trend, often leaving you distracted and overwhelmed. I fell prey to this syndrome when I was teaching myself German. I had been selected to play the trumpet on a brass octet that would spend the summer of 1978 playing evangelistic crusades throughout Germany. We would gather a crowd and then our bilingual director would share the gospel with the audience.
I had decided that, if possible, I would like to do more than play my instrument. Perhaps I could share my personal testimony with the audience or speak with individuals afterwards. So I jumped head first into teaching myself German. No sooner had I bought one beginning German grammar I ended buying another and then another until I had maybe 10 of them on my shelf. In retrospect, I would have been far better off had I just stuck with one grammar and mastered its contents instead of flitting from one grammar to another.
Likewise, I've noticed the temptation as a bodybuilder to jump from this exercise fad to that one, partly out of boredom and partly because you think newer is actually better. However, I've discovered that you really don't need a long list of exercises to develop your physique. Building a strong back, for example, doesn't require endless exercises or overly complex routines. You probably need only two exercises -- lat pulldowns, and pull ups.
The lat pulldown, like its name hints, is the best lat exercise you can do. And you can easily adjust the resistance to your fitness level. In addition to your lats, lat pulldowns work the lower parts of your traps, your rear delts, and even your biceps.
Next to the lat pulldown, the pull up is the quintessential back exercise. It works similar muscles as the lat pulldown, but of course the price of entry is higher with this exercise. Not to worry, though. Using a resistance band can adjust the resistance level to help you get up. Focus on correct form, keeping your core engaged, and smooth eccentrics (that's when you lower yourself back down). And sure to keep your sets and reps just easy enough to keep the ugly reps from creeping in. If you do this, the long term implications can be massive.
Have a wonderful week!
P.S. My son and I obviously don't suffer from the Shiny Object Syndrome when it comes to farm equipment! 😁
