Ambition drives us. We work hard and dedicate ourselves to achieving the ambitious goal we have set. Several others may also be chasing the same goal with a burning ambition. There may be just one or two who reach the goal and in spite of best efforts we may feel we got left behind.
Sometimes life confuses us. At one level our ambition drives us. When we get what we want, we want to hold on so strong that the slightest disturbance stresses us. And if we don’t get what we are chasing, we get disappointed. And we keep wondering whether it’s better to be content and accept whatever comes to us. Then again we see others driven with ambition and we start doubting ourselves. And this see-saw in our mind goes on and life could pass us by.
Ambition is good. Obsession is not. Ambition gives us the much needed drive, focus and energy to set and work towards achieving an aspirational goal. Ambition is like a rocket that fuels and launches a satellite. But, at the right time, the rocket falls off when the satellite is ready to enter its orbit. Like a rocket, we need ambition in the first phase.
And once we gain momentum and make progress, we have to be careful that ambition does not consume us, making us lose sight of the orbit we have been launched into. And that’s when we move from being Ambitious to Purposeful.
Ambition wants. Purposeful gives. Ambition competes. Purposeful creates value. Ambition can blind us. Being purposeful gives us a vision. Ambition is powerful in launching us. Purposeful sustains us. Ambition measures height of success. Purposeful measures depth of impact.
Being ambitious is good, it propels us. When we understand its role and significance, we use this fire to our advantage without it burning us.
We must be ambitious. Ambitious about finding our real purpose.
( Picture – Pink roses in our garden at night )
Really resonated.
Very well put
Excellent insight Vivek
It is important to understand, with conviction, that there are a lot of factors beyond my control. While I would like a specific output, it does not totally and only depend on my efforts. At the same time, my efforts do play their part. What is in my control, i need to do – the planning and the efforts. Set a goal for my self. Thereafter, focus on the journey. I am sure, historically, all of us have relied on our intellect and emotions and failed. That helps us understand the limitations of our own intellect as well as the fact that there are extraneous forces, beyond our control, that also contribute to the result. Hence, we should not get too stuck to the only getting the desired result. Like you said, being ambitious is good for sure, but as long as it does not consume us.
What a beautiful ending “Ambitious about finding our real purpose”! God bless you for such insights!!