Why Ambition is Important, But Not as Important as You Think
Ambition is important for success. Without ambition, there is no progress, and without progress you can’t be successful. However, ambition is not enough. Just because you have ambition doesn’t mean you will succeed.
Scottish chess grandmaster Jonathan Rowson provides the perfect explanation of why sometimes ambition leads to success and why other times it only leads to frustration. I came across Rowson’s explanation as I was reading NY Times Bestselling author Paul Tough’s book “How Children Succeed “.
Tough quotes Rowson as saying the following about ambition:
“When it comes to ambition it is crucial to distinguish between ‘wanting’ and ‘choosing’ it.” Decide that you want to become world champion, Rowson explained, and you will inevitably fail to put in the necessary hard work. You will not only not become world champion but also have the unpleasant experience of falling short of a desired goal, with all the attendant disappointment and regret. If, however, you choose to become world champion (as Kasparov did at a young age), then you will “reveal your choice through your behavior and your determination. Every action says, ‘This is who I am.’”
What Rowson is explaining is the basic philosophy of turning ambition into success. It comes down to behaviors.
It’s simply a fact that successful people are willing to do things that unsuccessful people aren’t willing to do. It’s not talent, it’s not luck, and it’s not ambition. All these things can help. However, none of it will matter if your behaviors don’t reflect your ambition.