Success may be a lonely place since the expectations never stop rising. Success may be lonely since failure is only a heartbeat away, and the press likes a good rise-and-fall narrative. Success can be lonely since there are no friends in business, just colleagues and competitors. Success can be lonely since no one else seems to be doing what you're doing, so everyone assumes they could do it better. Success can be lonely since no one understands your art or industry, so no one believes in you. Loneliness is a terrible thing, but not always because we lack companionship or contact with other people. Loneliness can be harmful because we start to think that there's something wrong with us, when actually we need others' attention and appreciation. Only when we have someone to rely on can we be truly happy. Being successful means standing out from the crowd, which can be very lonely. If you aren't careful, success will swallow you up and destroy your soul. It requires an intense focus that few people possess, and it often leaves people feeling isolated from others. However, success also brings with it many benefits. You become more important than anyone else, which can lead to increased self-esteem and happiness. More money may come your way too, which can help you avoid some of the problems surrounding loneliness.