The Importance of Obsessions

The word ‘obsession' has a few definitions:

• An unbidden, intrusive thought, image, or urge that intrudes into consciousness; attempts to dispel it are difficult and typically lead to anxiety. [Johns Hopkins]

• A persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling.[Merriam-Webster]

An intrusive thought! A persistent disturbing preoccupation!

No bueno, obviously.

But what about this third definition of obsession:

• A state in which someone thinks about someone or something constantly or frequently, especially in a way that is not normal. [Britannica]

Sounds like there could be something positive there, but what is considered 'not normal'? Maybe this Jonah Hill quote can help:

"I don’t chase youth, and I don’t chase trends. I don’t put any new music in movies. Mike Nichols is my favorite director ever. And if you watch Carnal Knowledge, or you watch some of his real bangers, it’s almost like they could have been made 20 years earlier or 20 years later ... He’s just chasing humanity, essentially. So that’s what I try and do. I’m just chasing humanity."

We can chalk up Jonah's chase as not normal, since most people aren't doing it, and perhaps he wouldn't mind me characterizing it as an obsession since he likely constantly refers to it to guide his work.

...

As we enter 2023, tons of useful books (Atomic Habits, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, etc.) and twitter-thread-writin' influencers aim to help us develop good habits that will stick long-term.

But despite habits playing a huge role in who we become, the term itself (Merriam-Webster defines a habit as 'a usual manner of behavior‘) doesn't always signify how imperative it is that we work to become crystal clear about what we want … and then doggedly latch onto not-normal ideas and behaviors that enable us to flex our strengths and weirdness.

As I think about what I'm chasing, I'm curious whether labeling my habits as obsessions might help me better generate life-enhancing, not-normal returns.

More specifically, what am I obsessed about like Jonah's obsessed with chasing humanity? What matters so much to me that I'm willing to put in the work and focus that most will not?

For starters, I have a good habit of focusing on my health. But some issues linger, so becoming a bit obsessed could result in next-level results.

Viewing life as a series of obsessions could deliver a shot of energy that drives us into goal-setting and action. The things that fire us up and are considered 'not normal' in society are likely exactly what we should be chasing with everything we've got.