Differing Ambitions? Some Things Are Universal.

My well-intentioned mom told me to marry rich. She often hinted that many girls go to college to get their “MRS” degree and it wouldn’t hurt to study at the law library.?(Subtle, mom!)

For some reason, she believed personal ambitions were best achieved through someone else.?

Fortunately, my mom was highly supportive of me challenging, and ultimately discarding, some of her career and life advice.?

She cheered me on when I decided to be a Marine, start a business, and become the CEO of ME.?She celebrated key moments in my life when I’ve helped her redefine in her mind what women do …?and she often marveled, “Where do you get this ambition from?”

Not Everyone’s the Same, but …

Here’s the thing: I think we’re all ambitious.??We all want a better life for ourselves.?For my mom, clearly better meant more money, which I’ve since interpreted as financial security. While mine has centered on freedom.?For you, I don’t know …?what’s your ambition?

Many of us shy away from the word “ambition,” like it’s a bad thing to aspire toward a better life.

I believe ambition is a great thing.??It wakes us up in the morning, stirs our soul, and gives us something to stretch toward.??Though, there are a few cases when ambition is bad.?Specifically, when your ambition can alienate those around you … and, for women specifically, when you run the risk of being called a b*tch.

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Angie (Morgan) Witkowski is the NY Times Best-Selling author of SPARK, Leading from the Front, and Bet on You.?She's a leadership coach, talk show host, and keynote speaker whose service in the United States Marine Corps inspires much of her work.??Learn more about Angie