"Never apologize for being obsessed, they will say it's too much. Let them. Positive obsession isn't a flaw, it's the edge that separates good from great. The one that cuts through excuses, distractions, and mediocrity. The world might call it too much, but they are just uncomfortable with the level of focus they don't have. So go ahead and obsess over growth, obsess over your goals, obsess on becoming the best version of yourself." — Jordan Ferrone

I read this quote about ten times, and by the eighth read-through, I was ready to tattoo it on my forearm. (I didn’t. But I thought about it, which is basically the same thing.) Because nothing gets my adrenaline pumping quite like being told, "You can’t," "You won’t," or "You’ll never." Oh, really? Watch me. Actually, grab some popcorn and then watch me.

Recently, I had dinner with two people who really get this mindset—Bill and Tracy. If you don’t know them, you should. They’re the kind of people who could be characters in a best-selling novel. They’ve been incredibly successful in both business and life, and I’ve been lucky enough to work with them in some capacity for nearly a decade. (Yes, decade. That’s longer than most Hollywood marriages.) While I recently moved on to a new chapter, our conversations over dinner still hit me like a perfectly placed motivational slap to the face.

Bill is the kind of guy who could actually run a Fortune 500 company from the corner of a dimly lit steakhouse while sipping a bourbon, saying nothing, and somehow still know everything—because, well, he has. This isn’t hypothetical. He’s done it. Imagine being able to orchestrate multi-million-dollar business moves while simultaneously enjoying a ribeye. That’s Bill. He’s like the business version of a chess grandmaster—ten moves ahead before anyone else has even realized they’re playing a game.

One of the biggest lessons he’s taught me? Shut up and listen. Seriously. I’ve watched him sit at a table with 14 people, all talking over each other, while he just sits there, nodding, taking it all in. And the next day, boom—he shows up with a laundry list of things that could be improved, adjusted, or perfected. I once asked him about this superpower, and he told me:

"Look at how much you learn about the people at the table and the people serving the table just by keeping your mouth shut. And then, when the time is right, you can start the conversations that actually matter."

Bill obsesses over the little things—the details most people miss. And that’s why he’s one of the most successful people I know. Because while everyone else is making noise, he’s collecting information, strategizing, and ultimately winning. So yeah, maybe shutting up is an underrated skill.

Then, there’s Tracy—aka Butter (a nickname I may or may not have just given her because she makes everything smoother and better). She is grace personified. Always perfectly dressed, always wearing just the right amount of jewelry, and always radiating this energy that makes you want to sit up straighter and maybe re-evaluate your life choices.

But here’s the kicker: Tracy isn’t just about looking polished—she’s about making everyone else feel good too. She obsesses over the little things that bring people joy. A compliment at just the right moment. A thoughtful gesture. And let’s talk about her cookbook, My Cottage Kitchen Cookbook This woman spent SIX YEARS writing a book, selling it online, and raising an absolute boatload of money for charity. Why? Because she wanted to make people feel good from the inside out.

Let’s just take a moment to process that. Some people obsess over reality TV drama. Tracy obsesses over helping people. If that’s not proof that obsession—when directed correctly—is a superpower, I don’t know what is.

Look, obsession is only a problem if you’re obsessed with the wrong things—like checking your ex’s Instagram or memorizing every menu item at Taco Bell (not judging, but… maybe refocus). But if you obsess over something worthwhile—your goals, your passions, the details that actually matter—you’ll be unstoppable.

So the next time someone tells you, "You can't," or "You shouldn't," or "You won’t," you have two options:

Either way, let them doubt you. Then prove them wrong.