Can you be too ambitious?

Is it possible to be too ambitious? 

Seems the answer is yes. 

Many people have had the experience of being told to tone down their desires, fine-tune their ambitions, reduce their goals or the favorite and least noticeable way of saying it "be realistic".

Now, being realistic isn't necessarily a bad advice. Problem is, it has been drummed so hard into our ears that, it has become a way for spectators to bring goal getters to their level.

We are going too fast here. 

What exactly does ambition mean?

According to Merriam Webster dictionary

Ambition : a particular goal or aim, something that a person hopes to do or achieve

: a desire to be successful, powerful, or famous

: a desire to do things and be active.

Ambition in itself is simply a goal, which every human should have. 

Being ambitious is the desire.

Now how did being ambitious become something wrong? 

The simple answer lies in the word "desire". When it comes to wanting or desiring something, it's stronger in some than in others.

For some, desire pushes them to be more daring, to go for it, lights a fire in their soul. For others, their desire overwhelms them so much that it frightens them and causes them to withdraw, to procrastinate, to doubt, to over-think.

As Homo sapiens, we know the direction our desires take us to. This is why when many people are full of fear and doubt, and see someone who is being driven by their desires, they have two reactions:

They either become inspired and challenged to do more or they see what they could have been doing, feel attacked and cope by projecting.

The people who project introduced to the world the concept of over-ambition.

Now, I'm not here to bash anyone. Every one of us at one time or the other have heard or read about someone's goals, thought or possibly researched about it and concluded to ourselves "he/she must be out of their mind", "this isn't possible or realistic".

It's not really a bad thing. In fact, it's the beauty of life - growth, variety. What is daunting to one is exciting and doable to another.

Now let's make this personal.

What if we are the ones seen as ambitious?

I mean you reading. If you're currently seen as too ambitious in your family, among your friends, you are not alone.

What makes you seem more ambitious? 

Let's look at the most common reasons :

Money

• Do you seem to want more money than most?
• While others talk about how they want just enough to live comfortably with themselves and their family, do you shake your head at their small thinking? 
• Does the thought of having billions seem normal and not scary at all? 
• While others constantly criticize the 1%, are you tempted to defend them and appreciate their business sense?

Power 

• While politics seem like a dirty game to others, do you find yourself interested in it? 
• Do you envisage yourself as a high powered politician? 
• Do you enjoy strategizing and critiquing policies?
• Do you already act like you are in position of power?

Career 

• Do you love and study CEOs and successful business owners? 
• Are you doing all you can to get to the zenith of your career?
• Do you enjoy managing, directing, making decisions?

Life 

Do you believe you can "have it all" without marriage or family getting in your way?

Answer the questions honestly, in all sincerity and you would know where you belong.

If you answered yes to all, you know by now that there can be a loneliness attached to it. Almost as if you can't talk to others about your ambition for fear of judgement.

People's reaction when you mention a desire that seem ordinary to you instantly makes you regret saying it. Hearing other people's goals makes you feel like you are living among neanderthals and even tickles you sometimes.

While you may have a family that does not see the word "over ambitious", the same can't be said for the society you find myself.

What's the remedy to this? 

Keep shut and change your circle. Seriously, get with like minded folks or zip it.

Keep quiet about your goals and move silently.  

Filter advice and don't take others' bad experiences and projections as facts but be sensible enough to listen to reason.

You don't have to feel guilty about who you are. There's a place for everyone. Some will be comfortable with a little while others want more. It's the spice of life.

Just work hard, do what's right.

Have a good moral compass and allow it guide you.

In your ambition, enjoy the process of becoming and the little pleasures of life. Your health and happiness should be paramount.

Remember, you only live once. 

Make it count!