You have an obsession when an idea takes over your thoughts and decides not to budge from your conscience. There are times, however, that this idea will willingly step back and allow other thoughts to move to the forefront of your mind. But almost predictably this obsessive idea will bully its way back to the front.

Now I am not advocating morally, inhumane or downright horrendous ideas. What I am saying is that in order for you to achieve anything substantial, particularly where your hard work lives beyond your lifetime, you will need to commit to an obsessive idea. Ultimately your obsession should contribute positively to the world.

Here are three symptoms to prove that you have an obsession that may make you successful:

Symptom 1: You can see what others cannot

As if you are peering into a distant reality, you see what seems silly and impossible to others, but to you it is very much a tangible reality. Just because you can see the Goldfish leaving the Goldfish bowl and waving ‘bye’ whilst pulling his luggage along, it doesn’t mean everyone else will, and that’s okay, that’s what makes your perspective unique.

Being fixated on an idea when others disagree with its viability may seem pig-headed. Your friends may even think that your dinner consisted of out of date Mackeral which is impeding your ability to think logically. But imagine if Rosa Parks didn’t sit at the front of the bus because she didn’t want to show up her friends? Or if Steve Jobs was more concerned with fitting in with his pals than spending time developing concepts for new products? Both Rosa Parks and Steve Jobs could see something different, and they were obsessed.

Symptom 2: You are constantly thinking about how you will make your idea happen

You are constantly chewing on the cud your idea. Thinking about how you can make it happen. You have spent endless hours in deep thought regarding the future and have created your version of a new reality.

Continue to carefully construct your plans like a Leonardo Da Vinci painting. Write down exactly what you intend to do, what exactly those things involve and the resources necessary to complete those tasks.

Symptom 3: You have an unwavering belief that you will succeed

You have an unfounded belief in yourself to achieve this dream. You may be the Clark Kent in any other area of your life, but you are the Superman when it comes to your obsession.

This is not about locking yourself in the attic and plotting to take over the world in isolation. Mentors are necessary and propel us to move horizontally whilst avoiding the pot holes which they have fallen victim to.

Remember that Twitter was a flop for the first five years and nobody bought sliced bread for the first fifteen years of its conception. You need to continue to believe in your idea and your ‘whatever it takes’ determination will be the force that propels you into the success zone.

You can however have the symptoms and not be diagnosed with the condition. Although you have an idea, failure itself will be part of your success. Take Twitter as an example. Before Twitter, the founders created Odeo, which was a podcasting platform. Once Apple had launched their iTunes podcasting platform, the Twitter founders had to bin their idea and start brainstorming again. Likewise, you may also reach a point where you have to adjust your blueprint or choose to continue with your obsession as a lifelong pursuit.

What are some of the obsessions that you have? Do you have anything that people doubted but have now flourished? I would love to hear from you. Feel free to join in the discussion on Facebook or leave your comment below.

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