It is natural to be ambitious. Even though we may not recognise it in ourselves, each one of us has some ambition in life, something we would like to achieve or do. It need not necessarily be the ambition for something big or grand, but something very important to us. Ambition is good because it gives us a sense of purpose, drives us, and directs our mind to work towards an inspirational and aspirational goal.

However, there are times when we know we have the drive, and yet we fail to make the progress we should. When we take a step back and reflect on this, we will realise a simple truth – ambition is necessary but not sufficient.

Ambition cannot flourish in isolation, even though it is itself the propelling force. Much like fuel, which without the correct equipment cannot manifest its potential. Ambition needs three things to unleash its full potential  – action, attitude and awareness.

No matter how ambitious we are, applying ourselves with discipline and commitment is key. It is said that ambition without action is a daydream and action without vision is a nightmare. No matter how tough it gets, act we must and we need to keep moving.

Our mental attitude is pivotal to fulfilling our ambition. The ability to draw on our resilience and endurance when the going is tough, and the ability to be balanced and grateful when things go our way is key. It is so easy to go off-track in both success and defeat. No matter how things are playing out, equanimity is critical.

Often we are so consumed with our ambition that we lose awareness of not only things happening around us but also things happening within us. Awareness keeps us on track and allows us to recalibrate our ambition with changing circumstances. It protects us from the stubbornness of our ego that just because we have decided something we cannot change it. Awareness of the changes within ensures that our ambition does not destroy our inner harmony and well-being even as we are achieving much in the eyes of the world.

It is our duty to be ambitious, to think beyond the ordinary, and to create the best for ourselves and others. To shape our lives and society we need to be ambitious. But we need to remember, it is but one force that needs to act in concert with other forces we have. Ambition is necessary, but not sufficient.

(Picture – Yale Town, Vancouver )