GAS is a distraction

• Published: 2024-12-02 13:12
• Updated: 2024-12-02 13:16

A purchase without a goal/purpose is a distraction in itself.

In this context, S.M.A.R.T. criteria is the difference between a goal and an excuse to buy something (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria - maybe ditch A and R and make it SMT)

Examples for distractions:

• It can be a distraction from the laziness of learning what needs to be learned in order to define the goal or purpose specifically before making the purchase.
• Can be a distraction from pondering our mediocrity as artists, knowing we still have much to learn, hoping this product can save us precious time/energy
• It can be a distraction from general frustration by buying a little piece of novelty, something to look forward to. To further distract us from the frustration upon arrival. -A purchase without a SMART goal is also a great excuse to not focus on the more tedious things we have to learn. Cause upon arrival of said product "I first have to learn this in order to use it properly and discovering it is a lot of fun so sorry - can't make music (i don't want to face the ugly truth of not even knowing why the heck i make all this in the first place)"
• Avoiding FOMO. And potentially: then some.

I personally experienced them all in one form or another. I know I'm distracted and procrastinating when what I do doesn't serve a purpose. That doesn't have to be a bad thing btw, procrastination in itself also serves a purpose: slacking around. And I think we need a certain amount of that. However, we should then also grant this to ourselves without being judgemental.

Otherwise it's self-punishment. Imho, when we need to buy stuff as an excuse to procrastinate, we may have a real problem.