Ambitious people are usually recognized by the fact that they talk less, do more. After all, success can’t be faked (although many people believe it can). It still takes hard work, diligence, perseverance and discipline. And a large dose of ambition. Successful people do not shy away from challenge, effort and discomfort. Defeats and failures are more likely to spur them on. They always want to improve and develop themselves further. In short, ambition has helped launch many careers. But as is often the case, there is also a dark side: too much ambition can also be very damaging to people.
What is ambition
Actually, ambition is nothing more than pursuing personal goals such as:
- recognition
- influence
- good luck
- knowledge
- power.
Ambition not necessarily aimed at material advantage
Although ambition is primarily based on personal gain, it is not necessarily linked to material benefits such as money and wealth. For example, if we strive for professional knowledge, sporting success or fame. You could also say: someone who is ambitious wants to achieve something, create something or own something. He wants to show others, but especially himself.
Ambitious people need less encouragement
Without that drive, the sometimes fanatical will to make something feasible, many inventions and developments would have failed to materialize. Because that is also a major advantage of the inner drive: ambitious people need fewer incentives. They possess a mental strength that gives them enough drive and discipline to continue. Beyond any conceivable resistance. This is reflected, among other things, in a number of characteristic characterizations that belong to an ambitious person:
- ambition
- diligence
- striver
- goal oriented
- diligently
- energetic
- decisive
- tireless
Negative characterizations for inner drive
However, these are only positive characterizations of this inner drive. There are also negative qualities, such as:
- pushiness
- yearning for recognition
- longing for fame
- lust for power
- restlessness
Ambition: a coin with two sides
The above characterizations show that ambition is a coin with two sides: healthy ambition can have a positive effect, encourage and inspire us. But you can also overdo it. Then ambition becomes sickly and harmful, for ourselves and for our environment. It’s all about keeping pace. Or as Paracelsus would say: ,The dose makes the poison., In other words: everything is ultimately poisonous, as long as the quantity is correspondingly high. In any case, ambition can change over time: ambition is usually greater among young people. On the other hand, those who have already achieved a lot hardly have to prove anything to themselves and others.
Can being ambitious be learned?
No discussion possible: there are people who have ambition and drive in their genes from birth. They always want to be among the best, they want to win and they set high goals for themselves. Mediocrity, on the other hand, they reject. Not only for themselves, but also for others. But as noted above, this can eventually become sickly and unhealthy. However, that is not necessary.
Ambition needs concrete goals to develop
Man is not destined to be ambitious or not. Although parts of it are genetically determined, psychologists are convinced that ambition can also be fueled or trained. At a minimum, some goals are worth pursuing, so that the inner driving forces can develop. And the more concrete those goals, the more concrete the satisfaction in achieving them. And the greater the passion that people develop for it. The most beautiful idea without a plan and implementation is just a pious wish.
Ambition is also passion
Very successful people manage to visualize the satisfaction that will occur once they achieve their goal. Such people are passionate about their project. They can develop a great passion, which makes it easier for them to overcome difficult phases. They do not let those difficult moments deter them from their intentions.
Scientists speak of the flow feeling.
Set a clear goal
People need to know what motivates them. Is it recognition, a desire for power or pure joy that drives us to peak performance? For athletes, this is crucial because, depending on their aptitude, they have to compete with imaginary opponents or simply learn to focus on themselves. One must learn to pump themselves up for something and, above all, to maintain that drive. The key to success lies in the belief that has manifested in the subconscious, which makes one person think more about failure, while the other is convinced to achieve whatever goal he has set for himself.
How healthy is your ambition?
It is known: a healthy dose of ambition is useful in life. But when does ambition work in a healthy way and when does it harm us? As is often the case, there is no easy answer to this. But a few simple questions will help you find out. Listen to yourself. And important: be honest with yourself!
- Have I set my goals in such a way that I can achieve them with my skills?
- Is the timetable I have set for achieving my goals realistic?
- Do I follow my inner conviction or do I sacrifice things that are essentially part of me? Compromising is important but not the same as denying oneself.
- Perhaps the most difficult question: is it my own goal that I want to achieve? Or do I just want to impress or please someone?
- Am I at risk of jeopardizing relationships with people important to me? You can never please everyone, but you should never neglect the really important people.