Tuesday, November 20  

Why Being Obsessive Can Be A Real Good Thing

I think I'm obsessive. Not sure. Read on and let me know.

In March this year I rode 1,000 km from Sydney to Surfers Paradise with 15 other guys in a group.

3 kms out from morning tea 3 guys came down in a crash.

2 bikes were damaged and unrideable (that's not a word I don't think - but is now).

The guys with the damaged bikes got a lift into morning tea with the support car, fixed their bikes, had a bit to eat and drink and we continued on our ride 20 minutes later.

Here's the thing.

I Would Have Had To Go Back

If I was one of those riders who crashed and got a lift for 3 kms I would have had to go back to where I crashed and ride into the morning tea spot.

There is no way I could have finished the 1,000 km bike ride without riding that 3.

Never. Not in a million years. I would never later tell people I'd ridden from Sydney to Surfers Paradise because I wouldn't feel I did.

The funny thing about this story is this - one of the guys who crashed was an absolutely wonderful guy called Aneek.

At morning tea, after his bike had been fixed, Aneek said to me, "I know you Brendon - you would have had to go back and ride those few kilometres, wouldn't you?!"

My personality type must show through!

I Know When I Can Do Better - And Have To Go Back & Fix It
I'm like it with a lot of things, including work.

• I know when I haven't done my best.
• I know when I could have done better.

Because I'm obsessive, I have to go back and do better.

Being obsessive like this is good.

• You get things done.
• You get things done well.

It can be bad too, because you tend to, like I do, spread yourself thin as you try to be perfect (unlike me).

I think obsessiveness helps in business. Because a lot of business is about perseverance.
If you're in business, get obsessive. Get persistent. Get successful.

Cheers

Brendon