Ambition
by Zig Ziglar
Ambition, fuelled by compassion, wisdom, and integrity, is a powerful force for good. It will turn the wheels of industry and open the door of opportunity for you and countless thousands of people. But fuelled by greed and the lust for power, ambition is a destructive force that ultimately does irreparable damage to the individual in its grasp and to the people within its reach.
As a youngster in Yazoo City, Mississippi, I frequently heard my mother describe an individual by saying, "He is really a very ambitious young man," or "She really has a lot of ambition." The tone of voice indicated that she was identifying a very favourable trait of that person. On the other hand, I heard her say on occasion, "He is a nice person, but he just doesn't have any ambition." The old saying that you either "use it or lose it" is true.
People who have ability and do not use it represent one of the real tragedies of life. It's good to be ambitious, providing that it's fuelled by compassion, wisdom and integrity.
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Any comments guys? What do you think? What is your experience? Share your thoughts.
RE: Ambition
Twice in my life I have done Eileen Mulligan's life coaching exercises. The first time I identified my desires to find something that I loved doing, move out of the city, have at least one more child and get a dog! Not outrageous ambitions but at the time they seeemed unachievable. Well I did a healing course, we've been living in the country now for six years, have three more children and not only own a dog, but a cat too! I did the exercises again this year and was asked to identify my core values. Integrity came top of these, as I realised I'd been living in a way which I thought other people would approve of and I didn't like it any more. So... I've gone back to healing which had been on the back burner, finished the course, having been eased into it though doing a massage course, and plan to pursue both, in a compassionate way. So yes...top values, can't say about the ambition, I don't think I'm a typical Capricorn, I'd like to feel a bit more ambitious as it would be good for my finances.
mamancinq xx
RE: Ambition
Ambition was my mainstay when I was young, good job, fast car and money - well now thanks to a job change I have the job and the car (sporty little honda civic), the money is coming but I am having to re avaluate what I want as I do not feel overly comfortable with where I am heading at the moment.
When doing my degree we had to list down ambition and life goals "because how will you know when you have succeded?" and my list was totally different from where I was at the time, I wanted my own business, wanted to get married and have kids, and also wanted to develop my spiritual side.
Well that was 3 years ago and I left the relationship I was in as it was not allowing me to do or go where I wanted, I still have no business or the family - although wedding date is 21st Dec next year so I am getting there on that one lol! The Spirituial side has come on in leaps and bounds and couldn't be more happier.
I think as you grow older ambition looses it drive in directions that you thought were important and drags you into more risky ones where you would never have thought yourself going (like embarking on a 3 year nutrition course) and a complete change of lifestyle! Also with lifes ups and downs it all changes too, as my dad has altzhiemers I have really thought about what I want to do with life and what I want to look back on when I am old as having acheived!
mamancinq, I am also a capricorn but as I was born on the cusp not a typical one either, my aquarius side pops up from time to time and wreaks havoc on my carefully well laid out plans - after years of this I have finally give in and now go with the flow of life seeing where it will lead me - not good for ambition tho wouldn't you say Alex??? lol 😀
With love
Maria