Can you become successful whilst in a relationship?

United States
April 19, 2013 1:26am CST
I was wondering if it was possible to reach success while you are in a relationship. I feel like even you could be, it would be extremely difficult to do. You have to find time to focus on yourself, but at the same time not neglect your partner. I'm on the path of becoming a screenwriter/director, but I want my current girlfriend to be by my side through out the whole ordeal. I know things would be easier if I was single, but I would like to share this success with her one day as well. So what do you goes think?
9 responses
@ayeeesha (1127)
• Philippines
19 Apr 13
Why not? Relationships shouldn't hinder you from reaching your goals. Your girlfriend is supposed to support you and understand what you have to go through in order to succeed, not pull you down and lead you away from your dream. While it may be easier to achieve something when you're single because you don't have to worry about dividing your time and attention, nothing is sweeter than sharing your success with someone special to you :)
@ayeeesha (1127)
• Philippines
20 Apr 13
Then you can talk to your girlfriend and both of you should compromise. I don't think it's proper to impose something she's not in favor of. Open communication and honesty is the key :)
• United States
20 Apr 13
Thanks for the reply. I've heard some many stories where the person says what they could have done and what they wish they would have done. Most of the time we make decision based off what's better for the other person if we truly loved them. I just don't want to fall into that pattern.
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
20 Apr 13
It depends on what you want to become successful in. Some jobs will require you to travel a lot, and that would mean neglecting your relationship a lot. Each person is different. Some people don't mind being far from their partners for long periods of time, and some people prefer being near their significant others as much as possible. However, when becoming successful doesn't imply that, I don't see how having a significant other would become an impediment in one's career.
• United States
20 Apr 13
Thanks for the reply and I want to become a screenwriter/director which would mean plenty of travel during the weeks of traveling. I do feel however that I would have longer stretches when I wouldn't have to travel at all, so it'll work out better in the long run.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
20 Apr 13
I think being in a relationship can make it easier to become successful, but it depends on the relationship and on the career. If you have to travel a lot, I think being in a relationship can make it harder to focus on your career.
• United States
20 Apr 13
Thanks for the reply and I understand what you mean. If that person you are with truly supports you, they can push you a little bit harder to jump over the hurdles that would stop you from reaching success. I never thought about it this way.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
19 Apr 13
why not? she can be at your side at the same time you get successful, that is the true test of your relationship, if you can give her time even if you will be busy. It is a matter of balancing time and handling feelings well. I am lucky my husband pushes me to my success too!
• United States
19 Apr 13
Thanks for the reply and I'm happy to hear you have someone who supports your dreams. I'm currently on the path of being a screenwriter/director and I know the road to accomplish this goal can be a difficult one. Success is not always guaranteed when dealing with the entertainment business and this I know. So far she seems to be happy for me.
@puccagirl (7294)
• Israel
19 Apr 13
Yeah, I definitely think so. It depends on your partner as well though. If they are understanding and supportive etc., it helps a lot. If they don't understand your ambition, it could be a problem I guess. But as a general rule, I would definitely say it's possible. Maybe it's not always easy, but it's definitely possible!
• United States
19 Apr 13
Thanks for the reply. I sometimes feel you can never know how much someone believes in your ideas and truly know if they believe in them at all. I mean reaching success takes a certain amount of time and maybe the person you're dating doesn't wait that amount of time to reach success but never tells you. I kind of feel that people would rather commit to someone already established, then someone trying to make it.
• Philippines
19 Apr 13
Hi SilverMiles! Relationships are there to make each other grow, to be of support to one another, to be with the other through ups and downs, and the likes. Yes, you can become successful while in a relationship -- so long as your partner would understand why you are doing your stuff. On the other hand, it would depend upon your strategy to make your partner feel with you so that you won't sound demanding. You need to find the right words to get her support, and you've got to learn the "loving ways" of saying things so that you would not only get her support, she would even help you all through out your whole ordeal! :-)
• United States
19 Apr 13
Thanks for the reply and I totally agree. She happens to want to be a nurse and I support her 100%. As for my strategy, I don't really know if I have one. I see here quite often and never cancel on her so I guess that's a good thing. I'm hoping to land a job as PA for a production company soon and the hours will be horrendous, but it's something I'll have to do.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
26 Apr 13
Let her be part of your journey. Let her feel that in no way have you thought of neglecting her. And that she should understand that there are things that you need to prioritize but it does not mean neglecting her or losing your love.
@BigMoney25 (1286)
• Philippines
20 Apr 13
of course you can, you can achieve anything you put in mind.
• United States
19 Apr 13
You do have to make time for yourself, but you would have to help your girlfriend understand your goals and visa versa in order to male it work. So I say yes it is possible.