ADDICTION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
What is the difference between addiction and extreme focus? Addiction is usually defined as a habit formed by continual use of an outside substance or activity that forces the brain to over-reward you with dopamine to make you feel satisfied. I would argue that we can determine what activities give us the same amount of satisfaction to a degree without the use of outside substances like drugs.
I have explored and experimented with the idea that I can change. Along the way, I found that not only can I change. I can reimagine, relearn, and demonstrate any change I put my mind to. I began with minor changes. Then, more impactful changes. I began to see my focus as a sword I can wield, potentially.
Handwriting is not of any particular importance to most people. For me, I have always taken notice of unique styles of handwriting. One day I noticed my manager using all uppercase letters for his words. He would make the first letter larger than the others to create the uppercase effect although each letter was uppercase in style. I had seen it before but that day I decided to begin writing that way. It took time for my writing hand to get used to the movements. I would slip on certain letters and write in my old style. Now, I do not remember how I used to write. Just like that I learn a new skill or style.
Since then, I have made several recent changes and learned new skills from the trivial to life changing. I have
- learned how to dribble and shoot a basketball.
I had never learned to play basketball and was never enrolled in any secular sports. Can I learn a sport at 37 years old? Of course! Once I got over the fear of being judged by others, I could see that gaining experience was much more important than the opinion of people that do not matter.
- learned to ride a skateboard.
This was the same journey as playing basketball. I was not going to let being judged stop me from experiencing something so cool. I went to parking lots and skated to my heart’s content.
- learned to play Call of Duty: Warzone
I have always played video games. I love it and will probably never stop. I had played COD but not WZ. In a matter of weeks, I am Prestige 6.
- learn photography/videography!
When I was a real estate agent, I had to become good at marketing. I learned that video gets you a lot further for your marketing dollars. So, I learned, bought a camera, and all the accessories.
- started my day at 3:00am
This is related to my fitness journey. I gained about 40 lbs. in recent years. I blamed my declining health to not having time. Well, I figured I have the same 24 hours as the next person. If I really wanted to reach my fitness goals, I was going to “find” time. So, I thought, “Who establish this time thing anyway? I can choose when I get up.” I started my 24 hours just a couple of hours before my “normal” start time, which ironically always seemed too early. Now, I go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week around 4 am. I am making great progress in my first 60 day cut phase.
“I am onto something.”
That’s what I was thinking. I have this ability to get addicted to things even if for just a short amount of time. This burning urge to do something until I have figured it out. I know that it takes years to master any activity. However, if I go down the proverbial “rabbit hole” I can learn a new thing or change in an impactful way in a noticeably short amount of time. I recently heard Will Smith say, “Change is simple. It’s not easy, but it is simple.” The question then becomes, “what else can I do?” If I wield this ability to hyperfocus on a thing and adapt to the information quickly, what can I accomplish?
Read: WHAT IS LIFE ABOUT?
This to me is choosing that thing I want to be addicted to. As a young man, I was addicted to drinking alcohol. I was something I struggled with. I had experimented with other drugs. I used to smoke cigarettes and vape. I was told that my grandfather drank alcohol, so alcoholism ran in the blood. Right now, I am sober and addicted to the feeling I get when I finish lifting weights in the gym. I am addicted to getting a high K/D in COD. What could I do if I were to turn that extreme focus to all 5 Pillars of Life: Spiritual, Financial, Physical, Mental, and Emotional?
You may already be accessing your own addictive tendencies and may just need to refocus. Weed, Tik Tok, Instagram, video games, food, gambling, and drugs can all trigger addictive tendences in some negative ways if you are not careful. You may not be broken but rather manipulated by the current condition in our society. If you only placed that same energy into the things that cause you to excel in life, where could you go?
Click here to access an article on addiction from Yale Medicine.
Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for more information or help with addiction.
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