The other day I was speaking to a good friend of mine who'd been working nonstop to launch an APP she'd developed. A few months back we started a little informal Master Mind group where a group of us meet weekly to discuss our goals. "I'm so glad we're doing this," she told me. "It just forces me to drop everything, close my laptop, and get outside to see actual people."
Her comment got me thinking. I'm all for being extremely driven and putting in the hard work necessary to see our aspirations realized. But if we're not careful I think it can come at a great cost. I often talk about how fiercely competitive I was at graduate school. I'd arrive at the theater at 5:30 am in the morning and had to be the first to sign my name on the check-in sheet. I made great strides in developing my craft as an actor but it came at the expense of pushing away some people who really cared for me. I often chose competition over community and solitude over camaraderie.
Looking back, I wish I understood what I do now: Life is not meant to be lived in a bubble. It's about relationships, community, connection, and coming up for air every once in a while. It's a constant juggling act, but it's crucial we unplug every now and then and just be around other like-minded people who make us feel good. Otherwise what's the point of it all?
My hunch is getting to the top won't be fulfilling if you get there alone.
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