Saying “Just Once” Is a Sign That You Are About to Do Something Stupid.
“Just once” is a dangerous phrase to think or say to yourself. This is often an excuse for knowing you shouldn’t.
Carl Richards, author of One Page Financial Plan , uses Memorial Day sales as an example:
For example, in two weeks we will be celebrating Memorial Day in the United States. This three-day weekend marks the first official holiday of the summer and the first major sale this season. Retailers promise that “these deals won’t last long.” As a result, people will tell themselves that they cannot afford to miss this offer.
In theory, we could plan ahead and save money on buying a new barbecue or patio furniture this weekend. But most people walk into a store telling themselves that they’re not really there to buy something. They just want to look around. They manage to stick to this goal … until they see what they need.
Then they say to themselves, “Just once …” only this time, probably not the first time. It also won’t be the last time they buy something under the pretext.
The “just one time” excuse isn’t just about breaking our budget. This applies to our health, work, and probably every other area of our life. And we must understand when “just once” becomes a habit, not a one-time affair.
So the next time you catch yourself thinking “just once,” be careful.
Only this time | The Behavior Gap via Business Insider