Ambition is a strong desire and determination to achieve success. It’s a good thing, right? Who doesn’t want to be ambitious?
When you dissect and examine the drivers of ambition, you’ll begin to see both a light and dark side. Ambition can fuel high achievers and be an immensely positive characteristic. But misplaced ego-driven ambition is a potential career derailer and is ultimately an illusion. The ego wants status because it demands recognition and validation. When you’re ambitious to manifest your potential, not just your ego, the difference is monumental.
Ask… what does your ambition look like and how is it revealed? Confront whether your actions are fueled by ego-driven behavior or are a mature contribution of your gifts. Is your ambition a series of inwardly facing self-interested tactical steps designed to push your career forward? Or is your ambition outwardly facing and spiritually oriented – intended for the greater good.
The important question: “How can I be happily ambitious”? How can ambition not only benefit my career but also help me achieve inner peace and deeper psychological maturity? Here are two steps toward that end; the sincerity of your effort determines your reward.
First getting to the why of your own ambition is something most people don’t explore. The process of acquiring deep self-knowledge takes time, effort, and energy. Long-term successful leaders do the work to granularly understand their personality strengths, how they add strategic value and what drives their behavior. This process is a necessary and important psychological growth step. All mature and grounded leaders have excellent personal insight. When you spike high on a personality trait, you have a natural underlying strength. You are always happiest and at your best, when your role taps into your strongest personality strength.
Second, whatever your personality strength is, when you make the psychodynamic leap of using that strength to improve other people’s careers, and not just your own, you become maturely ambitious. Growth now stems from selflessly giving away strengths through shared knowledge and experience. Consider these challenging growth producing questions:
What enduring goal motivates you? (This is your career’s spiritual purpose).
What is the best platform (business niche and role) to showcase your unique strength?
How can you use your unique strength(s) to help others on their career journey?
Don’t allow your ego to be the driver of your ambition. This cannot and will not ever be fulfilling. When your ambition is the mature manifestation of your natural gifts, you’ll find a deeper satisfaction and life-long journey of discovery.