Do you want it or not?
If you want it, obsess.
Obsessive focus comes from declining what feels like everything. Defining extremely narrow parameters for what you will engage with. Refusing to prioritize yourself, or often even others, and driving solely towards an invisible cause.
That level of conviction to a vision both concerns and encourages people — encourages those who support and can see the cause; concerns those who doubt it. If you obsess over a cause deemed unworthy, detractors feel justified in scorn. When success reveals the value of your efforts, some detractors erase their doubts from memory and suddenly praise the worthiness they now see.
To supporters, on the other hand, obsession signals the birth of a champion. Someone with the fortitude required to endure pain for the sake of what must be done. Supporters see the value of your efforts before they bear fruit. They fear the death of their champion because so few come around. Worse than death, they fear the champion’s corruption, which can so devastate virtuous effort.
Ignore the scorn of detractors. Rest in the encouragement of supporters.
Be the champion people call for, and guard vigilantly against corruption.
Obsess, endure, and fight for a cause you know is pure.