The other day, I heard a friend say something that stuck out to me:
“Being obsessed with anything is bad. Too much of one thing can’t be good for you.”
That’s exactly the conventional “wisdom” the world wants you to believe.
Do everything in moderation!
Don’t be too extreme!
Today, I’m going to explain to you why that advice is complete bullshit.
I’m always using entrepreneurs and businesspeople in my examples, so let’s switch it up. Akaash Singh is one of my favorite new comedians. He has:
951,000 TikTok followers.
263,000 YouTube subscribers.
A hit special on YouTube.
We see the likes. The followers. The sold-out shows. He’s made it.
What we don’t see, is that Akaash worked on his craft for 15 years before reaching any semblance of success in the conventional sense. That means he:
Bombed a lot of shows.
Got booed off stage.
Struggled with writer’s block.
And guess what? He’s not alone.
Nikki Glaser has been perfecting her standup for 20 years.
Russ has been rapping since he was 10.
Mr. Beast has been making YouTube videos for 10 years.
Greatness takes time, duh. What’s your point?
My point is, greatness requires obsession.
Every high-performer will tell you to stick with the process. What they won’t tell you is how agonizing that process can be. It’s all that grunt work that only YOU get to see. Like editing for 10 hours to ultimately get one view on YouTube from yourself.
What person in their right mind would be able to stick with the agony of this beloved process for 10+ years, with no promise of success on the other side?
Uhh… nobody? A psychopath?
Nope. Someone who’s obsessed.
People often ask me, “how can I become more disciplined about working out?” You can force it, but that motivation fades over time.
The real answer’s way simpler. Become obsessed with your health — the discipline will follow.
Obsession is what keeps you pushing when all the signs tell you to give up, and go work in a cubicle, under those shitty, fluorescent lights for 40 years.
Now that I’ve convinced you to relentlessly pursue your obsession, I have to deliver some bad news.
Finding your obsession is difficult. You’ll try 30 different things, only to find that the 31st thing might be the one.
In many ways, I’m still pinning mine down. But what I know for sure is that it’s worth it. The best you is the most obsessed you.
So, next time someone tells you to avoid obsession, politely see yourself out of the conversation.
Or, better yet, text them this episode along with the words: “food for thought.”
I'm obsessed with Obsession, and you should be too