In a recent conversation with my best friend, the subject of ambition came up. We may not have gone into much detail but we both agreed that we find it difficult to relate to people who are not ambitious. I wish that we had had more time to delve deeper into this topic because it has been at the forefront of my mind ever since.
Let me tell you: I know some seriously ambitious people. And it makes me so proud (and motivated) to have them in my life. I like to refer to my best friend Jennie as a "student for life." This lady loves to learn. She is currently working towards her PhD. That's right... I can soon refer to her as Dr., and she will love it. Her husband Adam works full-time as a project manager and is back in school working toward his engineering degree. Did I mention that they have an adorable little (nearly) one and a half year old to look after too? Serious drive right there folks.
My old boss and good friend Ted is one of a kind. He scored his first executive role at the ripe age of 27 (I believe) and has gone up and up (and way up) from there. He is - bar none - one of the smartest people I know.
My sister-in-law Valerie isn't far behind. An attorney, turned entrepreneur, turned attorney again (but still really an entrepreneur!), she is a prime example of ambition. This lady wants so many things in life, and is 1000% devoted to doing whatever it takes to achieve them. I'm so lucky to be a part of her family. She is a constant inspiration.
I couldn't possibly forget to mention my husband, who is one of the hardest working people I know. He does whatever it takes to get the job done. I'm so excited to see his car business launch this year. I just know that he will do great things.
Words cannot describe how lucky I am to have people like this in my life. People that I can look up to, people that I can relate to. People that I can root for. People that I can be sincerely happy for.
Ambition is everything, my friends. Whether your goals in life are to be the next best-selling author, or to go back to College, or to be the best stay at home mom that you can be, put your everything into it. There is just no other way to do it.
Would you describe yourself as an ambitious person? Do you think that the world could use more driven people?
Love this post, and thank you for the shout out! I have a hard time commenting on my phone, which is where all my interneting has been going on lately, so sorry so delayed. I wanted to say that I think ambition needs a certain environment to thrive, and that includes supportive people around. So many people choose to be critics first. And second, I think there are many levels of ambition. Tonight I'm on my way to pace my friend from miles 66 to 88 of his 100 mile run, which he is doing for a friend who has schleroderma and is in a wheelchair. I think there are huge feats in life, and ambition to achieve them is one thing, but being absolutely great *and* selfless is a whole other thing. It's very inspiring to consider how ambition can work on someone outside yourself. I know for me it is basically a very selfish desire to improve, achieve, etc. -V
ReplyDelete"ambition needs a certain environment to thrive, and that includes supportive people around." - so very true, Val! And yes, I also agree that there are certain levels of ambition. I think that if I really sit back and think about where my ambition comes from the answer is that I want to be happy doing what I'm doing and make a living doing what I love.
DeleteAnd I should say, thanks again for being included among other very hard working people :)
ReplyDelete-V