Sometimes we face obstacles that block our way, things that slow down our progress in achieving what we want. Yet what people see as obstacles, can be, just the opposite in fact. Richard Feynman describes his love for teaching in his book “Surely You’re Joking, Mr.Feynman!” and criticizes the view of teaching as an interruption to doing research:

…I could see what happened to those great minds at the Institute for Advanced Study, who had been specially selected for their tremendous brains and were now given this opportunity to sit in this lovely house, with no classes to teach, with no obligations whatsoever….They have every opportunity to do something, and they’re not getting any ideas….Nothing happens because there’s not enough real activity and challenge: You’re not in contact with the experimental guys. You don’t have to think how to answer questions from students. Nothing!

I have witnessed a similar phenomenon when people try to work too hard by isolating themselves from all social interactions, without realizing that collaboration is the source of innovation.