I recently read a fascinating book by Eric and Ann Maisel called Brainstorm: Harnessing the Power of Productive Obsessions (New World Library, 2010). Anyone who tends to be obsessive would probably enjoy it. I'm not sure if most skin pickers are obsessive, but compulsive skin picking and OCD are often mentioned together. I myself am moderately obsessive.
Obsession is almost always talked about like it is a bad thing. This book shows how obsessing can be positive, if you choose productive obsessions rather than unproductive ones. Unproductive obsessions, the book says, are driven by anxiety and can lead to compulsions. Productive obsessions, on the other hand, are passionately held ideas that enable you to make your life meaningful.
What I took from the book was that being able to concentrate on something long enough to bring it to fruition is a gift. However, it's important to make sure that what you're focusing on is worthwhile. You shouldn't just obsess willy-nilly; that's a waste of your mental energy. If you find yourself obsessing on something useless, recognize that it is useless, and move on! If you're not sure what is worth obsessing about, or have problems committing to an idea, the book has lots of advice. Ultimately, the book aims to help you choose and develop a productive obsession that will expand your mind and enrich your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment