There are too many shiny objects and it is killing me

The internet has made it trivial to share knowledge and experience and we can all use cutting edge, industry standard tools for free. There aren't many fields that you can say that about.

The world that we have grown up in, is tantalizingly shiny and there were never rules to follow. We are a product of the lack of limitations that surround us.

It is a typical developer arc. You are probably around 4-8 years in.

- The first 2-3 years are focused, prototype like, just happy it is working phase. Piles of crap code here and a few successes. Underplanning is the key problem with a focus on proving you can do it.

- The second phase it the overly architected phase. Years 4-8 or so. Piles of crap designs, plans and notes here, a few solid projects and products here. Overplanning is the drag, lack of focus on shipping due to overly focused on tech, bouncing from idea to idea. Experimenting... (I bought about 100 domains in this phase myself, lots of people write their own string class here if you are doing C++ instead of finishing the project, too much focus on tech here over product). This phase is focused on proving you can do it right.

- After 8-10 years, that is where the balance kicks in Daniel son. Hype is kept in check, learning that monolithic frameworks are an enemy to good products, sketching only when you can't prototype it, prototype based but fast to switch to product/live mode when ready. Do all that extra fluff ONLY if it is a viable idea or product. Focus is the key here. This phase is focused on balance.

You have developed a good pipeline, but you are using it too early on ideas. I like setting up the system all the way to the end like the url, server, etc. But only do that on ideas that are a good time in, after days or weeks and great strides on the actual product, not the surrounding support.

Good news for you is you realize your problem and you may be leveling up.

Let new ideas simmer, learn to use your excitement and thoroughness to deliver fully finished products. It is a battle but one that you can win with discipline, there are too many toys but lots of toys are a waste of time. They can't just be cool, they have to mean useful to your current project/product. But definitely stay up on technologies and do things right, just make sure it is something you are going to go the distance for.

One thing that has been very helpful for me is counseling. (Also called therapy). A psychiatrist will prescribe medication, but a psychologist will help you become aware and devise strategies for dealing with behaviors you've described that prevent you from accomplishing meaningful work.

Two books I found immensely helpful are:

Taking Charge of Adult ADHD

By: Russell A. Barkley

and

Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.? Stopping the Roller Coaster When Someone You Love Has Attention Deficit Disorder

By: Gina Pera, Russell Barkley

Good luck

You're not. You're just afraid you might be.

I feel like I'm breaking through a similar feeling in my work place, so I can relate to the feeling. But talking to coworkers is helping me to see the similarities between how we think and lessen the feeling of isolation.

So just try talking to some people who might share your interests, and see how it goes.