Ambition is defined as an ardent desire for rank, fame or power and its what gets you and others with great a vision, to want to wake up early every morning. It’s a very powerful overwhelming force. But like any other formidable force it can be used well and to great benefit or it can be used badly with dire consequences.

There is a thin line between good ambition and bad ambition.

Good ambition promotes the interests of those around you and your niche while bad ambition is all about me, me , me. You spend half your energy thinking of ways to get ahead faster or how to trip someone before they trip you, when that energy can be channeled towards something productive.

As subtle as one tries to be, motives are obvious to those around us, thereby we earn the reputation we deserve.

There are however some good reasons why entirely paying attention on negative ambition or on oneself doesn’t genuinely bear fruits.

If all focus is on ‘working our way up,’ we have less energy and mindshare left for focusing on what matters. Like finding creative new solutions to problems and making a difference.

Ultimately the selfish energy we spend on polishing our life, relationships, goals, visions, career is wasted. If we can redirect that energy towards finding ways to make a difference to others, our family, workmates, our work or ambitions will fulfill themselves automatically.

Focusing on getting ahead creates a perception problem. One may be highly effective in what they do, but bad ambition creates a thought that they are ‘in it for themselves’

As a result relationships lack the crucial element of trust, a key ingredient in successful effective everyday relationships.

Remember, the question of ambition is are we in it to be or to do?

Till next time…