Is Obsession Necessary for Success?

Recently, I've been hearing a lot about words like "obsession" and "passion." A good part of that is because Gary Vaynerchuk, one of the most obsessive and passionate guys around, is promoting his book, Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion. I haven't read the book yet, but I have pre-ordered it, and I suggest you do the same. Gary's an interesting guy, and a case study about how to turn an obsession into a 60-million dollar a year business.

All of this talk about obsession, however, has me asking myself the question whether obsession is truly necessary for success? For the purposes of this discussion, I'm going to define obsession as an interest so important that it becomes one of the three most important things in your life. I think that's a fair definition, because some would go as far as saying that obsession is the single most important thing in your life. I think that's too limiting, so I'm being a little more generous. Even Gary Vee would have to agree with me that family is more important than anything else, and yet, no one's going to argue that Gary's obsessed with wine and with sports.

In my mind the easiest way to answer this question is to make two lists. One of things that I'm obsessed with, and a second of things that I've succeeded at. Now, compare the two lists. The simple fact of the matter is that anyone who does this exercise will surely find that she has succeeded at things that she is not obsessed with. I've succeeded at many things in life that I'm not obsessed with. In fact, I've succeeded at things I didn't even like.

Obsession is not necessary to succeed.

So what's the big deal about it, then? Well, let's say we tweak those lists we made earlier. Keep the list of things you're obsessed with, but now compare it to a list of things that you're truly happy doing. I'll bet anything there's a much closer correlation. I know in my case there is. Obsession isn't necessary for success, it's necessary for happiness.

Whether, you're a writer, an artist, a businessperson, a stay-at-home dad, or anything else, being obsessed won't guarantee you succeed at what you do. What it will do is make you happy in doing it. When you're happy doing something, you're more likely to work harder at it, and put in the hustle necessary to become successful.

Obsession isn't necessary for success, but it sure as hell makes it easier and a lot more fun.