As a bright eyed graduate I had well
and truly established the understanding of big words like passion and ambition.
Back in 2004 I had made a 5-slide presentation to describe my qualities via the
personalities of famous cars. It was a presentation that I thought was
spectacular. I had defined myself in 5 words, a truth that would hold true
forever. The qualities still hold true but their connotations are in danger.
and truly established the understanding of big words like passion and ambition.
Back in 2004 I had made a 5-slide presentation to describe my qualities via the
personalities of famous cars. It was a presentation that I thought was
spectacular. I had defined myself in 5 words, a truth that would hold true
forever. The qualities still hold true but their connotations are in danger.
However, in recent times the question,
‘What are your strength’s?’ is met with a painful wince. It is not that I don’t
know them or can’t articulate them but I am beginning to wonder what exactly is
so strong about these strengths. Age has made self-reflection painfully real. I
am pensive with a purpose.
‘What are your strength’s?’ is met with a painful wince. It is not that I don’t
know them or can’t articulate them but I am beginning to wonder what exactly is
so strong about these strengths. Age has made self-reflection painfully real. I
am pensive with a purpose.
Can being passionate and ambitious at
the same time be a harmonious mix? Are there possible paths where you can
advance without compromise on either fronts?
the same time be a harmonious mix? Are there possible paths where you can
advance without compromise on either fronts?
The theory goes like this. If you are
truly passionate about what you do and stick with it through the ups and downs,
then success is only a matter of time. It wouldn’t even matter if you were
ambitious. But what is nagging me is if the person is truly passionate and all
he cares about is his ability to pursue his art, then to him success itself
would be defined differently. His success could be dismissed easily, by person
who even has a twinge of ambition.
truly passionate about what you do and stick with it through the ups and downs,
then success is only a matter of time. It wouldn’t even matter if you were
ambitious. But what is nagging me is if the person is truly passionate and all
he cares about is his ability to pursue his art, then to him success itself
would be defined differently. His success could be dismissed easily, by person
who even has a twinge of ambition.
In the magical field of arts and
literature, talent and passion are regularly cycled words. What of ambitious
artists? Surely, they exist. Are the famous artists of today all lined with a
fair dosage of ambition? Is it possible at all during sometime of their
artistic expression they do something that isn’t?
literature, talent and passion are regularly cycled words. What of ambitious
artists? Surely, they exist. Are the famous artists of today all lined with a
fair dosage of ambition? Is it possible at all during sometime of their
artistic expression they do something that isn’t?
Unless you were passionate about being
ambitious, I am convinced the two don’t mix well. I have managed to already
muddle my point by hinting at success. We shall assume that no matter what the
definition or the connotation of these adjectives, success is a topic that is
tangential and beyond the scope of the matter at hand.
ambitious, I am convinced the two don’t mix well. I have managed to already
muddle my point by hinting at success. We shall assume that no matter what the
definition or the connotation of these adjectives, success is a topic that is
tangential and beyond the scope of the matter at hand.
As I grow older, I am being confronted
with the notion that Ambition is hardly a positive quality. It doesn’t guarantee any chance of success, no matter how you define it. In fact it makes
you miserable when you fail. Perhaps there is courage that comes with it. But
for me, ambition, just makes me cry each time I see an Aston roll-by in front
of me. If I wanted to own an Aston, will only ambition help? And if I am called
ambitious, would you not question my value system? Aren’t the very successful
industrialists considered to be default ruthless?
with the notion that Ambition is hardly a positive quality. It doesn’t guarantee any chance of success, no matter how you define it. In fact it makes
you miserable when you fail. Perhaps there is courage that comes with it. But
for me, ambition, just makes me cry each time I see an Aston roll-by in front
of me. If I wanted to own an Aston, will only ambition help? And if I am called
ambitious, would you not question my value system? Aren’t the very successful
industrialists considered to be default ruthless?
Passion is another stark mistress. She
will make you see the error of your ways just so clearly. She will be your subconscious,
your source of desperation, and at rare times a source of extreme joy. How is
then being passionate a positive? I have been feeding this lie for years now.
Passion is a strong raw feeling that rises on the best of days and on the worst
of days, and leaves you exhausted.
will make you see the error of your ways just so clearly. She will be your subconscious,
your source of desperation, and at rare times a source of extreme joy. How is
then being passionate a positive? I have been feeding this lie for years now.
Passion is a strong raw feeling that rises on the best of days and on the worst
of days, and leaves you exhausted.
Having both together is a lot of load
to carry. They are tools, double edge swords rather, that can be used to scythe
through the thickest of messes or land in them. They are ingrained in me, as
personality bricks. I could paint over them but that would be foolish. In fact
I am only truly beginning to grasp the meaning of these ‘strengths’ and what
they are going make me to lose on the way forward. I now understand these
qualities might or might not help in the matter of achieving success but they
are irrelevant in my pursuit of happiness.
to carry. They are tools, double edge swords rather, that can be used to scythe
through the thickest of messes or land in them. They are ingrained in me, as
personality bricks. I could paint over them but that would be foolish. In fact
I am only truly beginning to grasp the meaning of these ‘strengths’ and what
they are going make me to lose on the way forward. I now understand these
qualities might or might not help in the matter of achieving success but they
are irrelevant in my pursuit of happiness.
That understanding is my strength and my
weakness.
weakness.
You sound like Hardin. Perhaps artists define ambition differently too, in line with their new definitions of success.
Interesting! Doesn't success contribute to your happiness ? If yes, how can these two things be irrelevant in it's pursuit ? If not, what mode do you usually operate in ? Pursuing success or pursuing happiness ?
Just curious. Feel free not to answer 🙂
Hi Shruti,
Was trying to stay away from defining what success means but you dragged me into it 😉 I also used to think the same and I suppose it's true if you derive your happiness from being successful no matter how you define success. The problem is that way I have defined it success doesn't always bring me happiness 🙂 which is why I am in the pursuit of happiness and hoping that success comes with it.
Well, sorry to drag you into this discussion. I "think" I define success as being happy. So things are fairly simple for me. Just the pursuit of happiness, makes me feel like I am successful 🙂
Ha! In that case you are all set. And perhaps you have given me a tangent to explore 🙂
Glad you have a tangent to explore! The discussion did plant the seed for my most recent blog post. So thanks!