#20 - Obsession Is Recommended
I’m serious!
Sometimes… If you want to make changes easy… then at first you have to FORCE changes the hard way, anyway, no matter what.
Let me get this caveat right away before you decide to read what I’m not writing: This article is particularly directed at a person looking to make a change that has proven very difficult in the past and has alluded success with the ‘slow and steady’ approach. If you know me then you know I am a HUGE proponent of the slow and steady approach but that is typically considering a person who has already gotten through the first hurdle of establishing the beginnings of whatever habit change they are chasing.
PSA out of the way… let’s dive in folks.
What do I mean by obsession?
Oxford dictionary defines obsession as ‘an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind’.
For our purposes this definition gets us halfway there. I, of course, am talking about mental obsession but also want to give you reasons to go multiple steps beyond simply thinking about improving yourself.
So my idea of obsession is also actively engaging with whatever habit you want to improve. Read books about it. Listen to podcasts about it. Watch YouTube videos about it. Become a mini expert.
My idea of obsession is also actively experimenting with whatever habit you want to improve. Trial run different approaches. Plan out different paths. Build it into the actual physical routine of your day.
So when I talk about obsession with healthy changes I am talking about 3 important steps to be done simultaneously:
think about it
learn about it
practice it practice it practice it (no matter how small and subtle)
this 3rd step is absolutely crucial
Soooooo… what do I mean in practical terms?
Let’s illustrate things by using a typical example of desirable change: increasing movement and exercise. To reiterate an earlier point, I only recommend this to someone who is in dire straits or has severely struggled with reengaging with this behavior after a long hiatus.
So in this example I would recommend a person do all of the obvious stuff:
get a gym membership
get simple equipment to have access to at home
set some movement goals
set some strength goals
This is pretty straightforward right? But let’s use the previous section to flesh this out a bit more.
Think about it
spend time envisioning your exercise routine
spend time envisioning yourself going for walks, hiking, playing sports etc.
program your messaging to benefit this idea (follow exercise social media profiles etc.)
Learn about it
watch documentaries having to do with fitness
read books about fitness
watch movies that give you the urge to exercise (Rocky 1 & 2 would be my choice)
read articles about fitness
find professionals that come across to you as interesting and informed
Practice it
actually GO to the gym
do a single pushup at home… and watch and see if it becomes more than just one over time
clean your house more often
put sticky notes in places that remind you to exercise
always have workout clothes ready and out in the open
This isn’t an exhaustive list but you can easily see how much more effective following this approach will be at keeping your ‘obsession target’ more clearly centered in your daily life.
Why does this work?
We live in a world where mediocrity is increasingly becoming accepted and embraced. Obsession opposes that.
Becoming obsessed with your goal may alienate you for a time from the things that currently rule your life.
Your 24 hour day is a zero-sum game… that’s the harsh reality. You can’t do it all and be everything for everybody.
Obsession (remember I’m not talking permanent obsession) will force you to have hard conversations with yourself and possibly others around you.
So when it comes down it… this works because it tends to rush you right to the most pressing areas of your life that needs to change in order for the goal to be achieved.
Obsession will effectively make you face whether or not you really want to make the change you are seeking… or if you only want to do it if it requires little to no difficulties.
Final thoughts
This article only came to mind thanks to a conversation that I had with a gym member the other day. So first and foremost I want to thank that person (I’m sure they know if they are reading this) for spurring on some deeper thought.
Something that I struggle with a ton in my line of work is knowing that people are creatures of habit and will continuously fall victim to their own free will. Look everyone no shame there either I continuously fall short of so many things I want in my life that you shouldn’t feel envious of me whatsoever if you do.
If I could follow around every member of my gym all day long every single day and guide them in a way I thought best… I’m sure they would see significantly more improvement than they do. But it’s not feasible for me and it’s not feasible for you.
Left with that reality I try my best (not always successfully) to look at things with optimism. You (literally you reading this right now) can achieve more than you can imagine for your personal health. You can lose the 10-20-50-100 pounds. You can double or triple or maybe even quadruple your squat, bench, and deadlift. You can do that first pull-up. You can do it. But will you do it? Should you do it? These are questions that have to be answered by you.
With that… until next time…
Take action, believe
Coach Dill
