The Toxic Side-Effects of Ambition

“First, say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do”
- Epictetus

We live in a culture that unconditionally celebrates ambition. I am complicit; I have long-considered ambition as a north star, a quality that sits above the rest. But as I have made this transition into coaching, I have had time to reconsider my position. I maintain that ambition is largely good, however when it’s left unchecked or unexamined, ambition can breed dangerous side-effects.

To me, ambition is relentless drive. To push, to climb, to achieve - at all costs. But is ambition always pure-intentioned? Or might it be influenced by a need to prove something, ego, or insecurity? I can’t tell you whether these influences are present for you. I can, however, suggest that examining the origins of your motivation is an important step to set yourself up for more fulfillment.

Some people view their ambition as hunger. This hunger, to achieve, succeed, to “win,” or be “the best” can feel like an instinct, perhaps a compulsion, that keeps ambitious individuals directed towards their goals.

Yet as soon as there is accomplishment, attention moves onto whatever’s next. There is no satiety. Just hunger. More striving. More relentlessness. The result is perpetual dissatisfaction. If your accomplishments do not fill your proverbial belly, what’s the point?

If you struggle to identify the objectives of your ambition, and choose not to celebrate your accomplishments, what purpose does your ambition truly serve?

When left unchecked, ambitious individuals may reduce their identities to their productivity. This is a dangerous precedent - we are all more than what we do. It’s critical for all of us, regardless of how we identify with ambition, to seek clarity around our identity. It’s by no means an easy question, but if you’re ambitious, ask yourself: who are you without your goals?

If you see ambition as a tool to secure validation, respect, or praise from others, what would happen if your accomplishments failed to elicit these responses? Would your achievements become any less valid? Might you second-guess whether your ambition is an asset or a liability? How might you benefit from reconsidering the source of your motivation, knowing what you know now?

There is nothing inherently wrong with ambition. But when its purpose is not clearly articulated, it threatens to become a problem. But if you’ve ever felt like your ambition is lacking clarity, you are not alone. This gap, between effort and meaning, is a place where many high-performers find themselves stalling out.

This is where coaching comes in. Through coaching, you can renegotiate your relationship to your ambition. The work is not designed to take away your drive, but to ensure your drive is in alignment with what matters to you. It’s about asking the right questions, creating clarity, and discovering meaning in the process.

If this post resonates, I built a free resource that can help. It’s called The Ambitious Professional’s Playbook, and it offers 5 steps to help you understand potential blocks, find clarity, and start building momentum with intention. You can download the playbook here.

When it’s all said and done, ambition is only as powerful as the purpose behind it.

Some questions to invite reflection:

• What purpose does your ambition serve?

• What might your ambition be costing you?

• Who are you without your goals?

• How open are you to re-evaluating your relationship with your ambition?