Every ambition requires a price. Achieving what you desire in life may be possible, but be careful of the things—or the people—you need to sacrifice to get there—wherever that is.
Webster defines ambition as a “desire to achieve a particular end.” Our ambitions may vary, but universally, we know that achieving what we desire the most needs hard work, perseverance, and sometimes, cunning.
Some people spend all their lives devoted to their ambition. Take the most ambitious of athletes for example. They were probably born to fulfill a destiny, but it was not handed out to them on a silver platter. In fact, they work harder than most people to achieve that destiny, meeting failure from time to time, but keeping their eyes focused on their goal.
The same is true for successful CEOs, innovators, and almost everyone who have reached the summit of their ambition. They did not get there on a helicopter ride, although now they can easily afford to get their own helicopter. Going up may have been different and an often difficult story because, no matter who you are, ambition comes with a hefty price.
What it demands of you may be a little daily exercise, a consistent time with a coach, or going to school for a higher degree. Sometimes though, ambition needs cunning. There have been multitudes of ambitions achieved through betrayal, self-depreciation, lies. Many more may have been achieved through fraud, treachery and possibly the decay of moral values.
We’re all familiar with the politician who set aside his principles for power. They’ve all heard of the woman or man who had to warm someone’s bed to get ahead in the board room or in the entertainment industry. There are officers of the armed forces who betray their own brothers in arms. The list goes on and on. No matter where on earth you are, these stories are marginally similar. These are stories of ambition that we frown upon, but they are as real as our own stories.
Setting a goal is important, but there should also be time-lines and action plans, which will be your road map so you know where you are heading. It is important is to know what you are willing to do to achieve your desire or to achieve your ambition. You will be tempted to take shortcuts, but if it will set your moral compass haywire, will you do it? There are many get-rich-quick schemes, but if it involves lies, betrayal, or compromising your moral standards, would you stomach the means to your end?
Some ambitions are equally demanding but of another very important commodity—time away from our loved ones. Some parents do not see their children anymore. Some are not able to give attention to their kids even when they are physically present. Needless to say, we must all make a living, lest we start begging on the streets. We need to make ends meet. We want to give our kids a chance at a bright future. All these things require money, and money translates to time. Hence, our time is devoted to making money and achieving the desired “good life“ for our family. In the meantime, we miss out on the daily moments that truly matter in life. We are physically drained so we are no longer emotionally available for our kids. Does this seem like the life we want to achieve? Perhaps we are looking so far into the future that we fail to experience the present. This is a sad reality.
Ask yourself then what you are willing to do for success. Make a game plan and determine the things or people you are willing to sacrifice to accomplish your ambition. This is not a suggestion but is a must we all need to prepare before we set out for something because, again, ambition comes with a hefty price.
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