Uninformed Optimism and Tech Shiny Object Syndrome

Source: Dev.to

Every mistake I’ve ever made as a developer, SEO specialist, and in my general quest to build wealth through tech has been related to deviating from something that I already knew was working. After a while, even a successful approach becomes boring, and we start seeking dopamine elsewhere. We convince ourselves that if something feels boring, it must no longer be effective, and that some new angle or technological trick will push the envelope or get us “over the hump.”

The truth is that the most boring tasks you have to do in a given day are often the most effective. Once you’ve identified what works in a particular context, the only remaining work is to double down and build in that direction. This principle applies on both macro and micro levels.

Every mistake I’ve ever made as developer, SEO, and in my general quest to build wealth through tech, has been related to deviating from something that I knew was already working.

Macro vs. Micro Deviations

• Macro level: You might change projects, teams, or even entire careers.
• Micro level: You can deviate within a single project or task.

While there are legitimate reasons to change direction, we often abandon the mundane—even when it’s successful—in favor of something more enticing and exciting, even when a change isn’t necessary.

It’s more fun to plan than to execute. I repeatedly chased the dopamine of planning—the “fun part” of business and tech—while neglecting the work I had already uncovered and simply needed to repeat.

The Cycle of Uninformed Optimism

Alex Hormozi calls this pattern “uninformed optimism.” It describes the early stages of an idea that seem promising and fun, yet the person knows very little about the actual path. They invest time, see little progress, and become frustrated, leading to “informed pessimism.” At this point, the would‑be entrepreneur recognizes the downsides and difficulty of the venture.

Most people either deviate further or quit outright at this stage because uninformed optimism feels good—it’s exciting, positive, and delivers dopamine.

When you stop at informed pessimism, you often start the cycle over, never reaching the final stage: informed optimism. By pushing through pessimism, boredom, and frustration—the parts that “suck”—you eventually understand that what you initially thought was possible is still possible, but now with a clearer, more accurate, and unglamorous view of the process, its difficulty, and its timeline.

Embracing Informed Optimism

• Accept that the work will require patience and repetitive, boring tasks.
• Double down on the methods that aren’t exciting but are demonstrably effective.
• Resist the urge to tweak or adjust when the work becomes hard or dull; keep moving forward.

Bottom line: Do what works, stay the course, and don’t swerve left or right. The boring, consistent effort is often the most powerful driver of long‑term success.