Many times people isolate themselves and mistake it for independence.
Some people have the belief that they will do better if they work or act alone. Some others believe that other people will only hold them back. Many people are familiar with the problems that stem from relationships and might end up neglecting the benefits that quality relationships bring.
What is isolation?
Isolation in this context is the situation where a person detaches themselves from social circles and socialization in general.
Isolation has it’s value when done in a controlled manner for a predefined reason, but, it becomes very harmful when it begins to get mistaken for independence and self sufficiency.
Isolation possesses great power of it’s own. When a person isolates themselves for the right reasons, they are able to solve certain problems and draw out strength in themelselves that they would otherwise find difficult to draw out.
Some of the right reasons for isolation:
1. To increase focus on a specific activity.
For a person to focus deeply on work or any other activity, they might have to isolate themselves by finding a quiet and serene environment where they can work effectively. This boosts productivity, thinking capacity and overall work output.
2. To create time for meditation and self evaluation.
Meditation is an important part of life. With all the hustle and bustle of life, it is very easy for our minds to become shrouded with noise and this can cause mental fatigue, information overload and confusion. A wonderful way to deal with this is to withdraw to a quite environment for a specific period, in order to spend time carefully evaluating all that is on our mind.
3. To break out of detrimental or irrelevant groups and relationships.
We might find ourselves in relationships or groups that we discover to be detrimental to us in various ways. Isolation for a while can help us withdraw our presence from such groups and can be a subtle way to gradually disconnect ourselves from them until we are able to break free totally.
4. In order to deal with personal problems.
A person might seperate themselves from their social groups or pairs for the purpose of dealing with personal problems which can range from emotional instability or excesses to medical issues that are too unique to share without caution.
How then is isolation a problem?
Isolation is a major problem when it becomes prolonged and when the isolated begins to believe that they can do everything by themselves. When they begin to believe that they have all the knowledge and ideas, and therefore do not need the help of other people in any aspect of their life or work.They end up over-working themselves, they face mental stress and are cut-off from valuable information that could give them new ideas, provide access to fresh opportunities and make life easier for them.
An isolated person is easier to attack than a person in a group and this is a basic law of nature. It applies even in the jungle.If an isolated person finds themselves competing against a person protected by a group in any field of human involvement, no matter how capable they are, they will always be at a disadvantage.
A lone wolf might sound cool, but it will be torn apart by a park of hyenas. The greatest power of a wolf is that it belongs to a pack. Whatever attempts to attack a wolf that belongs to a pack runs the risk of being attacked by it’s pack.
It’s the same for humans. A person in a decent group is harder to attack than a person who is by themselves.A person in a group also finds it easier to get help and resources when they need it.
When you are isolated, you are cut-off from valuable information, assistance and counseling. This can become physically and psychologically detrimental over time.
You need people you can rely on in times of need, whether physical, psychological, or emergency situations. You will also need people who can assist you with delegating work to external providers.
How does isolation relate to independence?
Independence is a state of being self sufficient. True independence is in being valuable and having value that you can offer in exchange for something else.Instead of separating yourself from people and being by yourself, strive to improve yourself and possess a quality that will make you valuable in any social circle that you find yourself.Find a group where you all can share responsibilities, work and profit.
Some steps to becoming independent:
1. Acquire skills.
Skill acquisition is a very effective way to acquire value with which you can trade or contribute to a group.If you possess a skill, you can focus on finding creative ways to market it.It also becomes easier to find or form groups and to become a valuable member of a group or social circle.The level of skill and uniqueness that you possess at what you do will inevitably set you apart.
2. Develop your ability to communicate properly.
Proper Communication skills is a powerful advantage to have. The ability to properly and effectively express yourself in a decent and understandable manner in any social gathering that you might find yourself is very useful and will benefit you in due time.
3. Master the art of selling.
Selling is a very powerful tool in a world that functions as a marketplace. As people, selling is needed in our lives daily. We are always having to sell products, ideas, knowledge, our skills, and we even sell ourselves to those we might desire to be interested in us. Mastering selling as a skill will help you to improve on your chances of success in whatever field that you might find yourself, improve on your ability for independence and self sufficiency, and become a person of greater value in any field of human endeavor.
Conclusion
Humans in general are relational beings. We survive by forming groups, working together, and dividing work and profit among ourselves. We exist by giving the value that we have in exchange for the value that we need, or in exchange for money, which we then use in getting the value that we need.Isolation without a reason, and without proper control will in time become a recipe for destruction.