AMBITION: Do we really need it?

I have been absolutely hag-ridden with ambition. If I could wish to have anything in the world it would be to be free of ambition.

Tallulah Bankhead

When I came across this quotation, it  made quite an impression on me.  Frankly, freedom from ambition is the least of my worries.  Freedom from pain and discomfort, freedom from financial constraints,  and freedom from fear in any of its sneaky, catch-you-unawares moments,  yes, absolutely!  But ambition?

Unlike the husky voiced American actress, I sometimes think I have no ambition whatsoever and is this A Good Thing? What is ambition anyway? How do you define it?  Often, when perplexed, I turn to those amazing volumes known as the Shorter Oxford Dictionary. (Given the weight of these tomes, I hate to think of what a Longer Oxford Dictionary might throw up.) However, according to the Shorter Oxford, Ambition is defined as,‘ ‘To desire strongly.’

To desire strongly can certainly be good but I suppose it all depends on what you desire! Some time ago I remember reading about a well-known chef who’d remarked that from his early teens, he’d had the ambition to be a head chef, owner of a restaurant – and of a Ferrari – before the age of thirty. Apparently he succeeded in all these aims by the age of twenty-three. Wow.  It would be churlish not to applaud the dedication and sheer hard work that these achievements demanded.

Ambition, however you define it, can take many forms. It can be acquiring wealth, whether it’s a million or a billion dollars, pounds or euros. Or all desire for wealth can be squashed by the longing to have an honour in the form of a title or a gong. Or maybe a zillion followers on Twitter or a squillion ‘Likes’ on Facebook. Or maybe having a book on the New York Times bestseller list.
However, starting this blog might it be called an ‘ambition?’ Or is it a goal? And anyway, what’s the difference? I couldn’t quite decide and indeed herein lies the whole point of Anna’s Inquiring Alphabet! It’s an honest attempt to see what I think about anything and whether I reach any conclusions that might be helpful to fellow travellers on life’s multi-lane highway.

Ambition has often got the adjective ruthless attached to it, which has always made me rather uneasy. I suppose in my mind, rightly or wrongly, is the notion that ambition seems strongly connected to the material world. And that world, as we all know can be both changeable and unforgiving, as those whose ambitions have drawn them into the public eye are only too aware.   Now, having passed well above the dreaded three score years and ten some might consider it pointless for me to pursue any ambition at all. But that certainly doesn’t mean I have to become that ugly phrase ,’A dead woman walking!’

I’m reassessing the whole problem in terms of another definition. ‘Goal!’  I like the sound of it and I like it any context, be it football, rugger, hockey or any sport you care to name. I also like how the Business Dictionary defines it as,‘An observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed time frame. ‘A goal I can manage. I hope.

But this morning, knowing perfectly well I should get into the study and start writing, I go into what animal behaviourists often refer to as ‘displacement activity’ or AKA in my vocabulary as procrastination, faffing or simple old fashioned anxiety. I’m not proud to admit I had to ignore the sudden urgent, and totally unnecessary, need to clean and rearrange the shoe shelf and sort out last summer’s T-shirts.

I doubt anyone with serious intent to become a world class athlete or musician would even consider for a nanno second the idea of nipping off  before practice to rearrange their sock drawer! They clearly have a discipline that’s truly awesome. And my profound admiration.

But a goal sounds friendlier, less stressful and perhaps a kinder way of travelling through life. A goal can focus the mind, without driving yourself or your family to the edge. It may not necessarily bring either honour or preferment. Money or medals needn’t be involved. It can be a private matter between you and your God, or you and your partner or closest friend. It can be large or small, set for the next five minutes or the next five years; although perhaps the longer goals need to be treated with a measure of caution. As some anonymous wit said, ‘If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.’

In fact, goals can be created on a modest daily basis – for example, today, before 12 noon I will finish this piece!  One goal can lead to another, stepping stones to inner strength that can be called upon in almost any circumstance. So maybe this is kinder than ambition?

Although those destined to become Olympic champions or globally renowned pianists would probably not agree with the words of Lao Tzu , who advised some two thousand six hundred years ago, ‘Never be the first in the world. Through not presuming to be the first in the world, one can develop one’s talent and let it mature.’ That said, the process of maturing is absolutely and totally never ending.  I know that for sure! However, today, I’ve completed this piece on time. Goals work.  Hurrah!