Inner state
Ambition is the outcome you want to achieve while aspiration is the kind of person you hope to become. However, there is another dimension to consider in your pursuits. It is the inner state you want to be in while you are pursuing your goals. They are your thoughts, emotions, or mental states. The inner state can be beautiful with joy, gratitude, connectedness, security, and abundance or suffering due to anxiety, fear, loneliness, insecurity, hurt, and stress. Beyond the greatness of pursuits. it is the inner state that truly matters.
“We’re so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it is all about.” – Joseph Campbell, American writer, Author of The Power of Myth.
Managing win and loss
The way you manage your wins and losses may be way different.
- When you lose, you rectify your behavior. When you win, you rarely change your behavior.
- When you lose, you expand your timeline to achieve. When you win, you shorten it.
- When you lose, you become more realistic. When you win, you raise ambitions.
- When you lose, you are willing to let go. When you win, you want to add more goals.
The way you handle your current win or loss is important for your future win and your wellbeing.
“The happiest among us keep the pressure turned up or down to that point where we have a challenge we believe we can manage. When we win, we try for more; when we fail, we cut back.” – Orville Gilbert Brim Jr., American social psychologist, expert on ambition and fame
Peter Principle
Sam, a competent office assistant, struggled to perform in his new role, when promoted to Executive Assistant of the CEO. This illustrates the Peter Principle, which highlights how individuals are promoted to a level beyond their competence. Sam’s struggle was due to the failure to recognize the need for new skills in his new role. This failure lies more with the organization than with Sam. Leaders play a key role in filling this gap. As a leader, are you telling the people you plan to grow, what skills they need to equip themselves?
“When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” – Jack Welch, Former CEO of General Electric