Positive Addictions

I heard a lead-in to a story a few days ago that caught my attention. The topic was about people who save rather than spend money, and one of the sound bites was, “I’m addicted to saving.”

That comment got me thinking. It reminded me that I could probably curb my own spending, but it also reframed how I think about saving, budgeting, and resisting every ad that promises “save 50% now!” It wasn’t about discipline—it was about identity.

I often talk and write about the power of mindset. When we’re focused on a goal or trying to overcome a challenge, success begins with shifting our thinking to truly believe we can accomplish the thing we’re striving for.

One effective shift is to become the thing we desire. Instead of saying, “I want to run a 5K,” we say, “I am a runner.” Instead of “I want to write a book,” we say, “I am a writer.”

It works when breaking habits, too. If you’re a smoker trying to quit, begin with, “I am a non-smoker.” The mind starts acting as if it is already true, and that can be a powerful first step.

But positive addiction takes this concept even further.

We typically associate addiction with something harmful—drugs, alcohol, shopping, social media. And in many cases, overcoming these addictions requires professional help.

Other habits seem harmless. We joke about being addicted to Amazon or addicted to our phones. And sometimes, boundaries are enough: limit screen time, create a budget, pause before clicking “Buy Now.”

But what happens when boundaries aren’t enough, and the habit keeps winning?

This is where positive addiction can become a powerful tool.

Take shopping, for example. Like many people, I know my expenses. Mortgage. Car. Groceries. Utilities. Business costs. Everything else is discretionary. I want to spend less. I want to stick to a budget. And yet something shiny, cozy, or flattering suddenly appears in my cart and ships to my front porch before I can blink.

But what if the mindset shifted to: “I’m addicted to saving.” What if the desire to save became stronger than the desire to spend?

I already see this in my own life. Every January for the past four or five years, I’ve adopted Dry January—not as deprivation, but as discipline. I attend plenty of social and professional events that include alcohol. I have a cabinet full of wine and spirits. And yet I find it incredibly easy to decline every offer.

Why? Because my “addiction” to Dry January—my commitment to it—is stronger than any desire for a glass of cabernet after a long day.

As I continue my work on mindset, I'm excited to add this idea of positive addiction as another tool to help myself and my clients go further, get stronger, and achieve the goals they once thought were out of reach.

It may help to think about mindset in three levels:

• Level 1: I want to run a 5K. I want to write a book. I want to quit smoking. 

• Level 2: I am a runner. I am a writer. I am a non-smoker. 

• Level 3: I am addicted to running. I am addicted to writing. I am addicted to healthy living.

Sometimes Level 1 is enough. Often Level 2 is the sweet spot. But when the desire is strong—or the goal is hard—Level 3 thinking may be what gets you across the finish line.

Hard goals don’t require perfection—they require support, encouragement, and a mindset that sees possibilities instead of barriers. If you’re ready to push toward the things you want, and you’d like a partner to help you stay focused, motivated, and accountable, let’s talk. Sometimes the right conversation is all it takes to change everything.

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