Ambition sits at the center of how we understand success. As such, we easily ignore its darker elements. A common understanding of ambition includes “drive and determination.” Like any dynamic we revere, it’s easy to conclude that if a little is good, then a lot is wonderful.
Old Understandings
The word ambition's ancient roots may offer meanings that have quietly traveled with it through the ages. One such definition is “going about desiring honor and power.” The phrase “going about” seems to imply a random issuing of overtures hoping to acquire honor and power. As if the identified task at hand is not highly valued, other than its usefulness to promote “power and honor.”
Another old meaning comes from ancient Rome. Ambition described a candidate running for office who sought “favor and goodwill.” The hidden agenda here is likely power, with candidates “going about” seeking their constituency's endorsement.
Being ambitious offers a number of benefits.
- Energy. Ambition motivates you to start a task or project.
- Resolve. Ambition can counter lethargy.
- Enthusiasm. Ambition can encourage others to join a collaborative effort.
- Planning. Ambition can easily provide the energy needed to create a plan to accomplish a goal.
- Satisfaction. Ambition can lead to a satisfying achievement, which can easily translate into motivation for future projects. It can also contribute to feelings of self-worth.
Guidelines for Being Ambitious
Whether the “going about desiring honor and power is conscious or unconscious, family members, friends, and colleagues can detect a mission of self-aggrandizement. Consequences may include compromised trust, reduced collaboration, oversight in project management, poor decisions, and unrealistic expectations. Here are some guidelines for being ambitious.
- Be clear. Be especially clear about how much you’re going about desiring honor and power.
- Pull your desire off of the task or project. Seek feeling honored and powerful elsewhere.
- Determination and drive. Focus your determination and drive on the task or project's purpose.
- Get feedback. Ask for feedback from your life partner, friends, and colleagues regarding their perception of how you’re driving yourself. Being excessively driven can suggest you’re “going about desiring honor and power.”
- Be gentle. Treat yourself kindly if you notice you’re “going about desiring honor and power.” It’s a natural desire; get the help you need to keep your determination aligned with the project's success.
- Redefine success. The following is a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson that does just that, regardless of the intended endeavor.
Success
To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the approval of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one’s self;
To leave the world a bit better, whether
by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a
redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with
enthusiasm and sung with exultation;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived …
This is to have succeeded.