I have been accused of being, well, a bit quirky. I am a big fan of routine, and I have a long list of things I do in a repeatable manner. When I exercise, I swim a certain number of laps. I run a certain number of miles, and I do spinning and elliptical workouts the same day and time each week. When I eat, I’m very selective about what foods I’ll eat and when I’ll eat them. Although I’ve never been formerly diagnosed, I’d say it’s safe to say I have some obsessive tendencies. As a matter of fact, I’ve often referred to myself as being OCD… ish.
A dictionary definition of OCD, (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,) is a mental illness resulting in persistent illogical fears and ideas, and often, particular habits created and followed out so as to avoid the fears and anxiety they cause. The condition can be severe and affects approximately 3.3 million Americans. In no way do I want to diminish the serious nature of those who struggle with real OCD. My heart goes out to those who suffer with this illness.
The reason I refer to my condition as OCD… ish is because, in my mind, there is nothing illogical about my actions. As a matter of fact, I’d like to recruit you to join me and develop some OCD… ish behaviors of your own.
For example, I mentor and coach people who have dreamed of writing a book. These people are subject matter experts, and they have a passion about what they want to share with the world. They know how to work a computer and they know how to type, yet the dream has never been fulfilled. That’s when I can help: I will work with the author to determine a certain number of pages that he or she has to write each week and try to tap into that OCD… ish behavior to get it done.
We all have tasks that are necessary for us to peck away at, and they are usually not the most exciting of tasks. If we let our mood determine our motivation to get those tasks done, I’m afraid that we might not start, let alone complete, them. I count on my “OCD..ish” behaviors to replace any risk of not being in the mood. Another way to say it is that I use discipline to help me. I think the roots of discipline lie in a controlled form of obsessive-compulsive behavior.
Author, and business philosopher Jim Rohn once said, “Dreams get you started; discipline keeps you going.” Call it what you will, but channeling your own set of compulsive behaviors to logically support your given goals, or being a tad OCD… ish, may just help you achieve things you’ve only dreamed of.
Rob, your description of using “logical habits” to your benefit makes SO MUCH sense … and these same habits save time and energy that can be focused on creatively solving other problems instead of ALWAYS trying to figure out where you put the keys, the phone, etc. You truly do have a gift, Rob, of being able to zero in on important things with a fresh view! Thanks.
Clearly, we need to watch that line of a little too much OCD… ish, but I think we can monitor this trait and use it to our advantage. I’m also willing to bet you’ll see this trait in most successful people. I appreciate your post, and the kind words Sarah.
Terrific article Rob!!
I have similar OCD..ish habits and they’ve worked so well, why change now : )
Neil
I’m one who has seen your OCD… ish habits first hand having had the pleasure of watching you speak at corporate events. One habit I noticed is a tremendous ability to hold an audience’s attention. Now that’s some habit! Great hearing from you Neil.
I love this..now I know I am not crazy– just disciplined and focused! Thanks,Rob.
Well, as a fellow Berrett/Koehler author I can say with out hesitation you are disciplined and focused and just a wee bit crazy… just like me! Here’s to being all three! Thanks for posting Sparky!
You are so right Rob. Excellent point.
It was a ticklish subject to write about because millions suffer from a more severe form of OCD, but whether we call it a habit, a routine, discipline, or being a OCD… ish, it’s a trait I cherish. So nice hearing from you Lorri!
Rob,
On target as usual. It can go overboard, but how else do people perfect a craft, physical movement or pattern?
You nailed it when you said, “it can go overboard, but how else do people perfect” what they are doing? Fun Fact: I purposely break some of my more obscure routines every once in a while to monitor and make sure I’m not going overboard. Kind of ironic that for those of us who are OCD… ish it can be more difficult to break a routine and the adhere to it. Thanks for posting Pat!
Thanks to you and your OCDish tendencies I have a bestseller on my hands. I am confident your ability to transfer those skills to me had a significant impact on how well my book is doing. Thank you Rob.
Well, I’d like to think those OCD… ish tendencies rubbed off on you, because as an author, you never wavered on the writing process. Want to see that bestseller? http://www.amazon.com/Nice-Guys-Finish-First-Sandler/dp/162865161X That book, and my friend Doug make me very proud! Thanks for the post Doug.
Yeah!!! Discipline ROCKS!
Being a wee bit OCD-ish works especially for those of us who are just a smattering of global-all-over-the-place. It’s the need for structure, for skeleton, for fences….not to lock us up, but to be a secure framework. have you ever seen a vine crawling along the ground searching for a fence to climb up on? It’s a sorry thing to see something expending energy that really should be more productive in making flowers or fruit.
Couldn’t agree more. Strangely enough, I’m not nearly as OCD… ish on the weekends, but when it comes to business, or writing, I do not let my mood dictate my actions. Discipline ROCKS Edia! Thanks for posting.
Rob, what a great post! You send it into highest-quality blogging when you compassionately acknowledge the struggles of people who do struggle with diagnosed OCD, and let your point sail without demeaning them–or us–in any way. Beautiful balancing act. Of course, I’m so full of praise because I share many of your OCD-ish traits, and we love to find our odd compatriots. And now excuse me, but an author’s next chapter just came in, and I have to get back to editing, even though it’s Sunday afternoon…
I say, “OCD… ish” folks unite! However, I think most realize that another word for this is discipline, and the fact that you are hustling back to your editing duties on a Sunday afternoon certainly proves you are a disciplined person. As for me, I’m pretty darn disciplined, but not on Sundays! Thanks for the post Nancy.
Rob, Another terrific, insightful blog….I’ll have to read it again to make sure.
Excellent article skillfully explaining why discipline is a key to success!
Yep, there’s the word “discipline” again. People hear that word and think of parenting, but you and I know differently. Like you said, it absolutely is a key to success. Great hearing from you Michael.
Rob,
Thanks for your nice blog.
Could not be more aligned – motivation helps one starting something and habit/ lifestyle keeps it going. Being OCD…ish? Is it about having the motivation to keep the discipline and the habits on the daily basis? Where does motivation come from? My simple theory is that it is about a drive that comes from inside (inner power, in latin verb motivare means start your internal engine), people around you who can support and give feedback + environment where you operate. Does that make sense? Drive = my passion, People = my team, Environment =my set up for success? What do you say?
I have to agree. However, I really do believe it can be a learned behavior. The key is discipline without exception, and that’s where the OCD… ish behavior comes from. So if we are agreed that if we don’t have that “drive that comes from inside” we can take steps to find it, I’m with you all the way. I suppose that’s the trainer in me talking. Thanks for the post Mika!
Undesired tasks come first ( learned from my dad)
Some of life is routine ( Learned from my mom)
my mom taught me about life being routine.
some of my days are routine. Others are beyond routine.
see you for CNM.