Have you ever gone from a situation whereby you were the best around your social group, to finding yourself surrounded by people who are far more advanced than you? A few weeks ago, I joined a writers circle and had people go through my work in detail. It was nerve-wracking at times, as I felt more vulnerable and protective over my work than ever before. Being in this supportive but competitive space, where everyone was good at writing meant that nobody was pulling any punches. Existing in competitive environments where the unfiltered truth is common can either push you to be better or demotivate you. It all comes down to how you handle criticism, if you want to succeed bad enough, then you have to know how to navigate these shark-infested waters.