No Man is an Island (but it would be nice sometimes).

"No man is an island", wrote John Donne, the famous British Renaissance Poet and Clergyman (1572-1631). 

BUT, I'd really like to be one from time to time.  

I don't know about you, but every so often, I just wish everyone would leave me alone and let me do my thing.  Now and again, I just wish I didn't have to rely on anyone, and could do whatever I feel like.  Do you ever feel like that?  Sure, it's true that generally the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, but sometimes teamwork is more hassle than it's worth. 

I work in a field that is all about working together: collaborating, negotiating win/win outcomes, managing conflict, and so on.  So, I'm around this all the time, and I am generally inclined to be flexible about how I do things, in order to meet other people's interests as well as mine (or sometimes at the expense of mine). 

 But everything has its limits.  

For me, the main risk I face when dealing with others is not the risk of driving too hard and wanting my way too much.  It's the opposite.  A path I have been on for several years now is the path of learning when to say "no", and where to set the boundary.  I've discovered that some of these lessons are hard won, and come at a considerable price. 

What is the biggest lesson I've learned?  Trust your gut.  If it doesn't resonate with you - LISTEN TO YOUR INSTINCT.  It is telling you that something about this is not right for you.  Ignoring this instinct is costly.   So, if your gut is telling you to do this thing on your own, tell the others to back off, and do it yourself - your way.