Be “That Guy”

Passion fuels everything.

Passion ultimately determined why you did what you did today.  Passion decides where your money goes and passion chooses where your time ends up.

Any kind of passion-

Passion for self.  Passion for comfort.  Passion for others.  Passion for God.  Passion for wealth.  Passion for acceptance.

It’s passion that drives our every decision.

Passion drifts towards obsession and obsession drifts towards success.  That is not always a good thing if you consider some of our common passions.

Matt Chandler, lead pastor of the village church always says this, “no one stumbles into Godliness”.  Isn’t that true?  No one goes to sleep and accidentally wakes up more Godly.

The same could be said of success.  No one stumbles into success.  Sure, people stumble into fortune by hitting the jackpot.  Sure, some people have been dealt better cards.  But winning the lottery doesn’t equal success, it just means you’re a lucky dog. Let’s not confuse good “fortune” with success.

Success is defined as “an accomplishment of an aim or purpose”.

I believe the easiest road to success is through obsession.

Growing up, I can remember when I was obsessed with the piano.  That’s all I could think about.  Playing, listening,  and learning the piano became daily routine.  Hours upon hours were spent studying and mimicking other piano players.  I remember going to birthday parties and gatherings and the first thing I wanted to know was whether or not there was a piano nearby.

I was obsessed.

My obsession led me to being a pretty skilled, ear trained piano player at 17 years old. I was successful.  My obsession led to my success.

Obsession is certainly not the only determining factor in success.  Just watch American Idol.

Many men are obsessed with hitting a little white ball around until it lands in a hole.  Very few are successful.

Obsession simply makes success easier.

People are  not “afraid of success” as much as they are afraid of obsession.  They are afraid of being “that guy”.  “That guy” that only talks about one thing.  “That guy” who does the same thing every weekend. “That guy” who has a room of his house dedicated to his obsession.

Here are some things I’ve noticed about obsession.

1) Obsession makes people uncomfortable.

2) It’s hard to tell you’re obsessed when you’re obsessed.

3) Things that once seem like work become pleasurable when you’re obsessed.

4) People try to talk you out of obsession.

5) Obsession reveals where your heart is. (Matthew 6:21)

6) Obsession without passion leads to burnout (Rev. 2:1-7)

It’s hard to be successful at something you hate. 

I encourage you to obsess.  Obsess over Christ.  Obsess over your family.  Obsess over your calling.  Obsess your way to success.