Ambition — Meaning, Definition, and How This Core Value Shapes Your Life
What Is Ambition as a Core Value?
Ambition is the drive to achieve meaningful goals and elevate your impact. People who value Ambition set a clear vision and work persistently toward it.
Why Ambition Matters
When Ambition is strong, you tend to:
- clarify priorities and milestones,
- push beyond comfort to grow,
- inspire others with big goals,
- convert ideas into results.
How Ambition Shows Up (High vs. Low Expression)
High Expression
- sets bold goals and pursues them consistently,
- welcomes stretch assignments,
- learns rapidly from feedback,
- invests in skills and networks.
Low Expression
- avoids competition or high expectations,
- prefers steady pace over stretch goals,
- values contentment over advancement,
- places other values above achievement.
Common Challenges of High Ambition
- overwork and burnout risk,
- tying self-worth to outcomes,
- neglecting relationships or health,
- impatience with slower collaborators.
Ambition in Conflict With Other Values
Ambition vs. Inner-Harmony
Inner-Harmony seeks balance, emotional steadiness, and peace; Ambition tolerates tension and stretch to reach goals.
Tension: serene equilibrium vs. productive strain.
Ambition vs. Family
Family centers presence, availability, and shared time; Ambition may reallocate time toward achievement and advancement.
Tension: relational presence vs. goal-focused allocation.
Examples of Ambition in Daily Life
- Defining quarterly targets and tracking results.
- Seeking mentors and honest feedback.
- Choosing growth over comfort.
- Protecting deep work time from distractions.