Read the full transcript of Dr. Emilio Justo’s talk titled “Unleashing The Drive Within: The Obsession Advantage” at TEDxWesternU 2024 conference.
Listen to the audio version here:
TRANSCRIPT:
The Power of Obsession: A Personal Journey
Do you believe in superpowers? There he was, a 17-year-old boy, growing up as an only child in a small town, nurtured and protected by his parents, while arriving four hours from home at the University of Michigan, surrounded by 40,000 students, none of whom he knew, only to find that his new college roommate was an experienced and world-traveled 19-year-old junior destined to transform him into a mature medical doctor and surgeon.
Now picture for a moment a three-year-old child seeking refuge on foreign shores. Let’s pretend that this child is a Cuban refugee fleeing Castro’s communist regime. Let’s also pretend that this child, along with his parents, does not speak English. So what similarities do you see in these two stories? We’ll discover more about this later.
Today we will explore a paradigm shift, challenging the conventional negative connotations associated with obsession. Contrary to popular belief, I believe that obsession, when harnessed correctly, is a powerful catalyst for success.
Defining Obsession
According to both the Merriam-Webster and Oxford dictionaries, obsession refers to a persistent and intrusive preoccupation that dominates an individual’s mind. It’s characterized by an intense and often irrational focus on a particular thought or idea. While passion and dedication are both positive aspects of obsession, the term is often associated with negative connotations when it leads to unhealthy and disruptive patterns of behavior or thinking.
Understanding the positive aspects of obsession involves intense focus, determination, and commitment toward meaningful goals while maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Let’s redefine obsession. I propose we view it as an unwavering commitment, a driving force that propels us toward our goals. This shift in perspective is crucial in understanding how obsession can be a source of perseverance, resilience, self-discipline, and determination.
It’s essential to recognize that achieving monumental success requires more than just talent or luck.
It demands an obsession with one’s goals, a relentless pursuit that extends beyond setbacks and failures. Obsession becomes the unwavering companion in the journey toward greatness, providing the fuel needed to overcome obstacles and persist in the face of adversity.
The late Dr. Anders Ericsson, a Swedish psychologist, conducted a seminal study on the role of deliberate practice in the development of expertise. The study aimed to investigate the factors that contribute to high levels of performance. Researchers argued that individuals who dedicate themselves to intense focus practice over extended periods are more likely to achieve higher levels of expertise in their chosen field. Dr. Ericsson dismantled the myth that expert performers have unusual innate talents. This aligns with the idea of obsession, where an unwavering commitment to improvement and mastery contributes to unparalleled success.
Five Advantages of Obsession
So what are the five main advantages and attributes of obsession?
Obsession gives you courage. Obsession is a powerful motivator that can instill a deep sense of purpose and commitment. When you’re truly obsessed with a goal or an idea, you find the courage to face challenges head-on. The fear of failure diminishes in the face of an unwavering determination to succeed.
Obsession makes you a master of time. Obsessive individuals inherently understand the value of time. The intense focus on their goals compels them in such a way to view every minute as an opportunity to make progress, leading to a heightened awareness of how time is spent.
Obsession encourages thought and innovation. Obsessive individuals are constantly immersed in their pursuits. And the relentless drive to achieve a goal pushes them to think critically, seek solutions, and innovate.
Obsession harnesses your focus and energy with laser-like precision. Unlike fleeting interests, obsession demands sustained attention and dedication. This intense concentration allows for a deeper understanding of the goal at hand.
Obsessive people make conscious decisions. Obsession is not synonymous with impulsivity. In fact, every goal is made with a clear understanding of its impact, as well as every decision. Rather than succumbing to external whims, obsessive individuals make conscious, meticulous decisions that align with their long-term vision.
So, remember those two individuals earlier? You know, the 17-year-old freshman at the University of Michigan and the three-year-old Cuban refugee. The differences between them, the similarities? All right, you probably guessed it. Those were both me.
Through the haze of cultural adaptation and language barriers early in my youth, I immersed myself in education, embodying the very essence of positive obsession. This dedication culminated in the achievement of a dream, becoming a medical doctor at the age of 23, and starting my own eye surgery practice at the age of 27.
Yet, success comes at a cost. Throughout my story, there were many obstacles and challenges, including being hospitalized for two months during my freshman year of high school, being ostracized as a teenager due to my facial appearance from severe acne conglomerata, and pus literally running down my face, and even later in my career, facing near bankruptcy due to poor business decisions when I strayed from my own obsessive ideology.
The sacrifices, the sleepless nights, the moments of doubt, each a testament to the darker side of obsession. It’s important to acknowledge that the journey is not always glamorous, and the downs are as integral to the story as the ups.
Embracing Obsession
As we navigate the tapestry of our own lives, let’s reconsider the narrative surrounding obsession. I challenge you to harness the positive power of obsession in your own journey. What dreams lie dormant within you, waiting to be awakened by a relentless pursuit of excellence?
Embrace obsession as a catalyst for change, as a force that transforms challenges into stepping stones towards success. Let’s redefine our relationship with obsession, and by doing so, unlock the untapped potential within ourselves.
Your journey, like mine, can be marked by triumph, resilience, and a legacy of positive change. Will you heed the call to embrace the transformative superpower of obsession? The choice is yours. What’s your obsession?
