#7 Writemas: Think Obsession

Someone once called me intense.

At first, I thought, is there something wrong with me? But I snapped out of things and realised it’s what makes me me.

No one is making it out alive; death knocks at everyone’s door, so why not be obsessed about the things I enjoy?

I have a hard time reining in my interests: literature, biographies, philosophy, psychology, cognitive misjudgments, human nature, marketing, advertising, behavioural science, business, investing, climbing, triathlon and so on.

I’ve been thinking about who I’m most drawn to, and it seems to be those who exude maniacal obsession.

People who are intense.

I love the obsessive energy of Steve Jobs, Sam Zell, Anna Wintour, Estée Lauder, David Ogilvy, Charlie Munger, Leonardo Da Vinci, and so on.

Because every outlier is obsessive.

Those who are obsessed do more. They think different. They work harder, push limits and fall into deep flow states.

Apple’s Think Different ad campaign - a homage to the obsessed

They don’t struggle with discipline. They struggle to stop.

Is it healthy? Definitely not.

But there’s something so intoxicating about obsession.

It’s scary but seductive.

Anyone who has felt obsession knows that when you and the object of your focus are all that exists, it becomes dangerously mesmerising, addictive, and thrilling.

You just feel joy in a way most people will never understand.

Speak to you tomorrow,

Jason.