3 Levels of Success: From Being Interested to Obsessed

Are you simply interested, or are you obsessed?

When you think about success, do you picture someone casually trying or someone driven beyond measure? Most of us start our journey with a spark of interest, but only a few go on to become truly obsessed.?

Patrick Bet-David once said,

“The difference between the dreamers and the doers is obsession.”

But what does that really mean?

Josh Cote of EAW Consulting dives into this idea by breaking down success into three levels: interest, commitment, and obsession.

Ask yourself: which level are you currently operating on?

1. Being Interested: The Starting Point

Interest is where most people begin. Think about it: when you try something new—a job, a sport, a hobby—you're merely exploring. You might find yourself saying, “I’m interested in starting a business,” or “I want to get fit.” But interest is fragile. You might talk about it with friends, browse online for advice, and maybe even set up a basic website for that business idea. But you only work on it when you feel like it or have some spare time. If a social event or other responsibility comes up, you put the side hustle on hold. The idea is appealing, but it’s more of a casual pursuit than a priority.

Unfortunately, staying in this zone never leads to greatness. When you’re only interested you’re a spectator, not a player. Why do so many people stay here? Because it’s comfortable, and comfort doesn’t demand sacrifice.

2. Committed: When the Spark Ignites

At the next level, interest evolves into commitment. You want more. You’re putting in the effort, you’re showing up consistently, and you’re eliminating excuses. It becomes something you prioritise. Committed people seek improvement, they hunger for progress.?

If you’re starting a business, it shows by investing more time and energy. You’ve set specific goals, and you’re actively learning skills to improve yourself. Maybe you’re waking up an hour earlier to work on it, even when you're tired, or dedicating weekends to develop your brand. You find yourself saying “no” to certain plans because you know your business needs attention. You’re still balancing other commitments, but the business has become a structured part of your life. The stakes feel higher, and you’re willing to make sacrifices to see progress.?

When you’re committed to getting fit, you plan your workouts by scheduling them, like any other important meeting.? You make the time.? You make conscious choices with your diet and choose the right food to fuel your body which is good for you.? It takes priority in your life.

But here’s the catch: being committed isn’t quite enough to reach the pinnacle of success. In this stage, the question becomes: how much are you willing to sacrifice to become the best?

3. Obsessed: The Relentless Pursuit of Success

Obsession often gets a bad rap. People associate it with being “too much” or “too intense.” But every great athlete, entrepreneur, and innovator who has achieved remarkable success knows one thing: obsession is the key.?

For the obsessed, success becomes the only priority.?

Obsession is when you live and breathe your goals. If you’ve watched the Olympics, you’ve seen obsession firsthand. Every athlete in those games dedicated years to that one shot at glory. They didn’t just show up for practice when it was easy; they trained in the rain, the cold, and the dark. That’s what separates the good from the great!

As an entrepreneur, your business is no longer just an extra income source; it’s something you’re fully devoted to. You’re up late strategizing, constantly brainstorming ideas, and thinking about your business at every spare moment. Every decision, from daily schedules to long-term plans, revolves around growing your business. You live and breathe it, and other people may not fully understand your dedication. This is where real transformation happens—when the business becomes an extension of who you are.

Why Obsession is Essential for Entrepreneurs

Josh Cote shares a personal story: his first experience with obsession was on the football field during his university days. The commitment was intense—hours of running, lifting, training, and analysing game film. But as driven as he was, he knew he would never go pro. So, he took that same relentless mindset and poured it into his first business venture.?

When you’re obsessed with your business, you find the time, energy, and resources, no matter what. It’s a single-minded focus that leaves no room for distractions. Are you interested in being an entrepreneur, or are you truly ready to live, breathe, and obsess over it?

The Dynamic Between the Three Levels

There’s an interesting relationship between these three levels of success: the obsessed annoy the interested, and the committed respect the obsessed.?

Those who are merely interested will never understand what drives the obsessed. They’ll see the sacrifices, the early mornings, the relentless pursuit, and label it as “too much.” But the committed get it. They may not be fully there yet, but they see the value in total dedication.

?Have you noticed how people react to your goals? Do they think you’re crazy, or do they admire your passion? Their response might tell you something about their level of commitment.

Finding Your Path to Obsession

Ultimately, transitioning from interest to obsession is a personal journey. It requires asking hard questions: what are you willing to give up? What matters most to you?

Josh Cote encourages aspiring entrepreneurs and achievers to fully commit.

As he says,

“No one has ever reached extreme success without becoming obsessed.”

So, take stock of where you are.

Are you just interested?

Are you committed?

Or have you crossed over into that next level, where nothing else matters?

The choice is yours.?