The Next Best Thing

The evolution of buying is a hard pill to swallow sometimes. It can almost feel like gambling.

I've always been a horrible impulse buyer. I can usually see the value in something right away, but sometimes the practicality escapes me.

Even grocery shopping can be a challenge because there's always something that wasn't on my list that somehow sneaks its way into my cart.

I've always said, "Never send a hungry man shopping."

Especially without a list.

I'd walk through the grocery store picking up everything I thought would make a great meal, only to get home and order takeout because I was too tired or dealing with sensory overload.

Then I Realized I Was Doing the Same Thing in Business

Then I realized I was doing the same thing in business.

I'd be struggling with the latest algorithm change when, almost on cue, another product would appear claiming to solve my problem.

Click.

Twenty minutes and $400 later I owned another course or tool that I had no idea how to use.

Instead of solving my original problem, I was now spending my time learning something new until the next shiny product caught my attention.

Like a dog chasing a squirrel, I'd be off in a different direction.

The longer it went on, the bigger the purchases became.

One course became three.

Three became ten.

Before long, I'd spent thousands of dollars.

I wouldn't say they were useless.

The problem was I never gave myself enough time to actually use them before I was already looking for the next thing.

Looking back, I don't think I was buying products.

I was buying the belief that this next one would be different.

What I've learned is that if a countdown timer is the reason I'm buying, I'm probably buying for the wrong reason.

Now, if I think something could genuinely help me, I wait at least 24 hours.

I sleep on it.

More often than not, I wake up with a different perspective.

Sometimes I still buy it.

Sometimes I realize I already own something that does the same job.

Either way, the decision is based on reason instead of urgency.

And my wallet has thanked me more than once.