Be Obsessed

“A man is what he thinks about all day long.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’m up at 0300, my brain can’t shut down, I have my checklist of things to do and I am incredibly excited about it. I make a cup of coffee, sit down at my computer and start prioritizing my list. It’s quiet in the house, my wife and kiddos are fast asleep and I am happy.

I’m happy because I absolutely love what I am doing. I am happy because I have the opportunity to work on something that I believe in. I am happy because I am making change and helping others to make change. I am happy because I am hopefully teaching, mentoring, inspiring and serving others. I am happy to be awake at 0300 and completing a checklist that will get me that much closer to my goal. I’m happy because I am obsessed.

Obsession is a pretty strong word; passion might be a better fit, or maybe desire/hunger/craving could replace it, but regardless of the synonym you choose, the power of obsession is something that not only will make you successful, but happy.

In Seth Godin’s book Tribes, he says “Think for a second about the people you know who are engaged, satisfied, eager to get to work. Most of them, I’ll bet, make change. They challenge the status quo and push something forward – something they believe in. They lead. You don’t have enough time to be both unhappy and mediocre. It’s not just pointless, it’s painful. Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you ought to set up a life you don’t need to escape from.”

I am obsessed with setting up a life I don’t need to escape from.

I am obsessed with leaving a legacy for my family and my network.

I am obsessed with teaching other service members about the power of real estate investing and the power of passive income.

I am obsessed with serving others and giving to a higher cause.

I am obsessed.

On a recent BiggerPockets Podcast, Alexander Felice, an Army veteran and real estate investor says that obsession is the one thing that separates those that have success from those who fail, give up, or never try.  

“A person who thinks, breathes, and lives their obsession will have guaranteed success. So, if you’re coming up short in your goals: obsess harder.” – Alexander Felice.

Written by Stuart Grazier