@zachpogrob
Obsession beats discipline - go all-in on your craft until you either die or get reborn.
Obsession vs Discipline Framework
A distinction between two modes of sustained effort where discipline is externally motivated forcing function requiring willpower, while obsession is internally driven compulsion that generates energy rather than depleting it.
How It Works
Discipline depletes willpower because it requires constant self-override against your natural inclinations. Obsession generates energy because it aligns with core identity and desire. The key question shifts from 'how do I make myself do this?' to 'how do I make myself stop?'
Components
Identify activities you have to force yourself to stop doing, not start
Notice what you do when you have complete freedom with no obligations
Test: Can you genuinely not do this thing for a week? If that is painfully hard, it might be obsession
Direct the obsession into a compounding output like a product, content series, or business
When to Use
When choosing what to work on long-term. When evaluating if your current pursuit is sustainable. When trying to understand why some efforts feel draining while others feel energizing.
When Not to Use
For maintenance tasks like hygiene, basic health, or administrative work. Some things require discipline because they are necessary, not passion-driven. Do not abandon all discipline expecting obsession to magically appear.
Anti-Patterns to Avoid
Example
“A person forces themselves to wake at 5am to code because they think they should learn programming. Another person cannot sleep because they are too excited about a design project they are working on. The second person will produce more, better work over time because the energy is generated rather than depleted.”