Sustainable Ambition Forum - 10.06.20
Greetings!
It’s Fall! My favorite season of the year, as it is for so many others. I’m finding simple comfort in this change of season given the unprecedented and tumultuous last few weeks. Perhaps some comfort can also be taken from the fact that we're in the home stretch of 2020, and we’ll be better prepared, more resilient, and have new methods to manage through 2021.
With that said, I decided to focus this issue on Ambition, because it’s showing up a lot for me right now. Obviously, I write on Sustainable Ambition, so of course I’m attuned to it. But it’s present for women, in particular, as it became a focus in the Presidential election with Kamala Harris as the first female, person of color to run for Vice President. People started to question her ambition and have a problem with it. That’s what many women face.
But what’s wrong with ambition? Nothing. The definition of ambition is: “A strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.” Or, “The desire to achieve a particular end.” I’m purposely excluding that which ties ambition to fame and power. I don’t like that definition, because it isn’t personalized, is too directive, and is narrow in its framing, which is what gets most people in trouble.
Ideally, ambition is self-directed, something you want to achieve and want to put hard work into, not something others or society want you to do. Plus, we need to realize that for most of us ambition isn’t static. It can ebb and flow over time, as I’ve written about here.
So, it makes me ask in this moment, “What is YOUR ambition... right now?” I don’t think we honestly ask ourselves this question enough. If we do, we can use it as a guidepost to set our priorities and efforts over time. I encourage you to embrace your ambition wherever it is right now, whether it’s ebbing out or flowing in. And embrace where you want to apply that ambition across the different areas of your life.
Below are some additional articles and tools around Ambition. I hope you find them helpful.
With that, be well, and enjoy the Fall!
Kathy
Founder of Sustainable Ambition™
The Round-Up
Right Success: Where did my ambition go? A thoughtful read that for me suggests the importance of Right Success, paying attention to your own ambition and defining success for yourself not based on structural elements of the economy or society.
Right Aspiration: I love this view on Ambition and how it ebbs and flows, as I say, over the decades. I appreciate the perspective here, as well, to not take it too seriously and not be too hard on oneself.
Right Effort: Get tips to set up a fall routine, bringing a little order to day-to-day madness.
Reading: “The Ride of a Lifetime” by Bob Iger - I’ve been wanting to read this book for some time, and after listening to many podcasts with Bob Iger I felt like I had gotten the gist. But in my recent quest to read great leadership books, I decided to dig in, and I really appreciated it. Great leadership learnings, and also the power of being a humble leader, staying committed to one’s ambition, and being patient to ascend while doing great work. As he says, “Don’t let ambition get ahead of opportunity.”
Listening: If you haven’t checked out The Pivot Podcast with Jenny Blake, it’s worth a listen. Check out one of Jenny’s most recent episodes on “What’s your job today?” in which she shares her thoughts on tapping into your ambition right now and creating possibilities. I especially appreciate that she gives a shout out to Sustainable Ambition and my thinking on how ambition is not static and can change over life stages. Thanks to Jenny!
Watching: I find this TED talk by Stacey Abrams on Ambition so inspiring. She's kickass, man. Abrams says, “Be aggressive about your ambition,” and ask yourself 3 questions: What do I want? Why do I want it? And how do I get it?
Smiling: Put your ambition out there, and make your wish! Take a pause at this mesmerizing virtual wishing well. : )
Apply Sustainable Ambition to a
Project or Task
The concept of Sustainable Ambition, experiencing more work and life fulfillment with more ease, can be applied on a macro level (life and career) or on a micro level (project or task). Here we offer guidance on how you can apply Sustainable Ambition to a current project or task to ensure your effort is in appropriate alignment with the success you are seeking and your aspirations and ambition.
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A Question: What are you committed to?
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“Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.”
– Mark Twain
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SUSTAINABLE AMBITION™ IS ABOUT CRAFTING A FULFILLING CAREER TO SUPPORT YOUR LIFE FROM DECADE TO DECADE.
It is centered around articulating your personal definition of success and achieving that without burnout while honoring your personal aspirations and ambitions as they ebb and flow over time. The end game—more fulfillment and ease in your professional and personal life, while still being ambitious.
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