You need stressors to perform

Great soccer teams will bring the best of them when playing with other great teams.

There is said that best horses tend to lose and under perform when competing with low caliber horses.

Tennis legend Roger Federer had his best years when Rafael Nadal (another tennis legend) challenged him the most and even had the upper hand in their direct matches.

Our body becomes stronger in presence of stressors (up to a point so we won’t die). While hitting the gym, your muscles are ripped apart and then grow stronger and bigger.

The same thing applies to the market place. Apple needs Google to challenge them with the Android ecosystem. You need teammates that challenge you and tell you when you’re not good enough. You need a lover who will keep your tendencies in check.

Sometimes you have to be close to death in order to feel alive. You need to face bankruptcy before making it (Tesla in 2013).

You can’t change the world from a position of comfort.

You need stressors to perform.