Many of us learned the importance of excelling from an early age. Individual success is encouraged from childhood. Many apply that discipline to all aspects of their lives, including family and relationships, by placing their happiness and success above all else. They expect, even demand, that everyone around them will adhere to and support their life plan. If they find that it is not the case, they view those individuals as standing in their way and take action to remove them from their path.
Our success is seldom solely the result of our talent and efforts. It is the product of our drive and contribution, coupled with varying kinds and degrees of support we receive from others. Family members, friends, teachers, mentors, to name a few.
A healthy drive for success should not cause an individual to mistreat family members and others who are close to them. It is not uncommon to see people on such trajectories end up in confrontations that lead to the breakup of relationships. Such actions may be seen by the individual as right and necessary, but reality suggests that such moves may work adversely toward the goal of success. By not recognizing their achievement as being built upon the foundations of those relationships and the support they provide, these individuals are missing a vital point. Dismissing those relationships could impede the individual’s progress and success rather than accelerate it.
It is sometimes difficult to recognize the reasons for a souring situation and decide on the best ways to improve it. Stress and obscured reality could mislead one to place blame for the turn of events on those who are closest to them – their family and friends, and lead to counterproductive decisions. The result will be the opposite of the one intended, leaving the individual without their support system, causing their plans to suffer and soil their path.
It is not unusual to have a clouded view of reality under stress. Our success and happiness entwine with those who surround us, and their success and happiness have a binding mutual effect on us. Treating these people as a mere vehicle for the accomplishments of one’s desires is, besides being selfish and arrogant, a short-term means for advancement. Once members of the support group realize the inequality, they may demand to make the relationship more equal again, or drop their support. The individual who benefited from the relationship to that point will need to find quick remedies to supplement the losses and remain on their chosen trajectory.
If you are part of an equal relationship, you already know that you will gain back as much as you put into it if not more. It will come in the form of reflections, inspired ideas and views, physical and financial support, and a sound state of mind. Behind every successful person stands a group of people who were there for the long run; cheering, helping, giving, for no other reason than the sheer will to do so. That is the human spirit. We are all stronger as a group than we are as individuals.