Some say "the more, the merrier!" Some disagree, and those same people are the ones growing themselves and their passion exponentially.

It's hard to resist and decline a request to go out with friends because we never want to miss anything, it's just out of our nature to be what our society calls "lonely." Similarly, resisting an assignment or a job opportunity seems almost normal because we have things we'd much rather be doing, am I right?

Wrong. Wrong as hell.

Saying "no" to your friends is hard, but catching up on that Humanities essay is a lot harder and I can guarantee that. I'd much rather miss a basketball game than miss an opportunity to complete this assignment a week in advance.

Personally, when I'm alone I do my best work honestly. A team is great and all but when the only mind and body in the room belongs to you the opportunities are endless.

Hear me out - I'm not claiming that your family & friends aren't supportive of what you're trying do with your life or don't care but I do know they're not as passionate about your future than theirs. Therefore, if you decide to abandon your personal priorities and put your energy into your friends, you're turning your passion into a performance. You're "acting" like you want it, but you won't sacrifice the time necessary because you just need to go out 3-4 nights a week.

Taking time to re-evaluate yourself, reflect on your productivity and remove distractions is priceless, and much cheaper than a meal out with your buddies. That time doesn't require you to tip or use your gas wrongly, but it requires energy that you can't achieve when you're out on the dance floor.

As a believer in this theory, I can tell you that I feel so much more motivated to complete daily or future tasks when I have effortlessly turned down an invitation to escape the grind and embrace the abnormality of it. It's an empowerment like no other because you're telling yourself "this means more to me", and that's what it's about - me, myself and I.

Those same friends that call you "lame" for not going out are the same friends that can't hold a job or keep their priorities straight because they aren't passionate, they're performers. They look the part, they may even sound the part but they don't know what it takes to be passionate about something.

Passionate people aren't popular or party animals, passionate people close the blinds and grind when the world is taking a day off to "relax."

But, as always, don't take my word for it, try staying in your dorm for 5 nights straight. Not just to do schoolwork but take time to consult with yourself and watch your mind reach unbearable heights.