“What are you obsessed with?”
It’s a question we ask at the end of every True Voice Media Podcast. We use the question more to mean “what are you really interested in right now?” Because obsessed has a very specific meaning. To become obsessed requires a level of involvement and mental preoccupation that would be detrimental to the completion of virtually anything else. I’m certainly not preoccupied with my affinity for my airpods, but I do like telling people about them.
Is it healthy to be obsessed? In the midst of one’s ambition, is it ok to become so preoccupied with work that you ignore those around you? I think we can all agree that it is not, unless that work leads to the benefit of a great many people. That would surely outweigh the emotional pain caused to those immediately surrounding you…right?
Obsession compounded by belief can be a truly powerful thing. If you believe in yourself and your ability to accomplish great things, setting your mind to one thing with an obsessive pursuit, may increase the likelihood of success.
I still come back to the idea that obsessed may be too strong. I think it’s wonderful to have passion, to have commitment, and to have ambition. Hard work and the pursuit of a worthy goal gives life purpose. But obsession too often leads people along a path where they miss many of the things that are truly important. Let’s opt out of obsessed, and be a little more tempered about the words we use.
…but we’ll probably keep using it on our podcast.