The Fine Line Between Passion and Obsession in Internet Marketing

Taking a much-needed break, I stepped outside to the patio. As I sat there, I found myself questioning, "Why am I doing this? Why am I dedicating 10-12 hours a day to the computer?"

The Questions That Followed

This self-interrogation led to a cascade of other questions. Initially, they were:

• When was the last time I sat outside and simply enjoyed the sounds of a summer night?
• When was the last time I read a book purely for enjoyment, not for learning?
• When was the last time I had a casual chat with my best friend?
• When was the last time I genuinely listened to my husband, without my mind being preoccupied with headlines or ad copy?
• When was the last time I went out for dinner and a movie with my husband?
• Is it really necessary to rise at 4 a.m.?

These questions then gave birth to another set:

• What was the initial appeal of Internet marketing for me?
• Are the elements that initially attracted me still present?
• Where do I envision myself three years from now…five years from now?
• What role does Internet marketing play in my life…and do I still have a life outside of it?
• Is it really necessary to rise at 4 a.m.?

And these questions led to yet another set:

• Why do I feel compelled to accomplish so much in a single day?
• How much time do I want to dedicate to marketing each day?
• What am I aiming to achieve each day in Internet marketing?
• Is it really necessary to rise at 4 a.m.?

And finally:

• Has Internet marketing transitioned from a passion to an obsession?
• Am I still enjoying this?
• Is it really necessary to rise at 4 a.m.?

I believe these are questions we often ask ourselves, especially during times of exhaustion, burnout, and frustration. These are the moments when we feel like failures and believe we will never "get it."

The Thin Line Between Passion and Obsession

That evening, I was able to answer some of these questions, while others required further contemplation. Particularly, understanding the thin line that separates passion from obsession.

It's crucial to occasionally step away from the computer. We need to ask ourselves these questions and delve into the answers we find. Perhaps the two most important questions are:

• Am I neglecting the special people who enrich my life?
• Am I forgetting that I only have today?

As Emerson once said, "It is not the length of life, but the depth of life."

P.S. I threw my alarm clock in the trash.