The Difference Between Good and Bad Ambition

A 3-Step Strategy for Achieving Without Burning Out

Most successful people are go-getters. They have one key trait — ambition — that motivates them to keep working even when their circumstances are tough.

But there’s a difference between good ambition and bad ambition.

Good ambition

Good ambition sets a high bar, but it is directed to just a handful of priorities. It is focused and simple, and it draws clear boundaries. It is sequential or linear, meaning that you don’t set new goals until you’ve reached your original ones. This doesn’t mean that you can’t reprioritize as circumstances change or you grow, or that you can’t be working on multiple projects at once if you have time. It’s OK to quit sometimes so you can move on to something better. But the approach stays generally as first-in, first-out (FIFO).

Bad ambition

By contrast, bad ambition takes on every opportunity that comes knocking, even if your original work isn’t finished yet. You take on so many goals that they interfere with other areas of your life, such as your health or relationships. Instead of the benefits of the goals driving you, fear — e.g., of loss, judgment, etc. — does. You might accomplish some good things for a…