#002: Why Ambition Still Matters

In recent years, cultural movements like China’s "lying flat," the rise of "quiet quitting," and a broader rejection of hustle culture have questioned ambition and the relentless pursuit of more, faster, bigger. These shifts reflect a valid critique: unchecked ambition can lead to burnout, imbalance, and a life devoid of deeper meaning.

But does this mean ambition no longer belongs in our lives?

I don’t think so. In fact, through my work and conversations, I’ve come to believe ambition still matters—more than ever. What’s changing isn’t its value but how we define and channel it. Ambition isn’t about grinding harder or climbing higher for the sake of it. At its core, ambition is about striving for what truly matters to you—pushing beyond the status quo to achieve growth, impact, or fulfillment.

To abandon ambition entirely is to abandon the spark that has fueled innovation, progress, and personal breakthroughs for centuries.

The Case for Ambition

When grounded in purpose and approached with intention, ambition offers incredible benefits:

1. Direction and Purpose
Ambition gives focus to your efforts. It’s the difference between spinning your wheels and purposeful progress. It helps define success on your terms and aligns your energy toward meaningful goals.

2. Personal Growth
Ambition challenges you to stretch and evolve. Whether it’s mastering new skills, gaining perspective, or navigating obstacles, striving for something meaningful fosters growth.

3. Resilience and Fulfillment
A healthy form of ambition fuels grit and persistence, helping you endure setbacks and thrive. Fulfillment doesn’t just come from reaching the finish line—it’s also in the purpose and progress along the way.

4. Collective Impact
Ambition isn’t only personal. From technological breakthroughs to social change, some of the world’s most profound progress has come from ambitious people working toward something bigger than themselves.

5. Sustainable Momentum
The right kind of ambition builds systems and habits for long-term success—not just sporadic bursts of energy. It helps you balance high aspirations with a sustainable pace.

Ambition, when shaped by your values, can be the force that drives positive change—not just in your career, but across all areas of your life.

The Evolution of Ambition

What we’re seeing isn’t the death of ambition—it’s its evolution. The old forms of ambition, tied to rigid expectations of success, are giving way to something more personal and nuanced.

Today’s ambition looks different:

• From Quantity to Quality: It’s less about chasing more and more about pursuing what truly matters.

• From Competition to Collaboration: Modern ambition values partnerships and collective wins over cutthroat competition.

• From Hustle to Intention: Leaders are embracing balance—aiming high while prioritizing health, relationships, and personal fulfillment.

This shift isn’t about lowering the bar. It’s about redefining ambition in ways that align with your values and a more sustainable way of living and working.

Avoiding the Extremes

Movements like “lying flat” and “quiet quitting” have highlighted the need to push back against unsustainable pressures. But rejecting ambition altogether risks swinging too far in the other direction, creating its own kind of dissatisfaction.

The solution lies in rejecting both extremes:

• Relentless hustle culture, which glorifies burnout and growth at all costs

• Passive disengagement, which gives up on striving entirely

Instead, we need ambition that’s tempered with clarity, balance, and intention—a middle path that drives meaningful progress without sacrificing well-being.

An Invitation to Reflect

How does ambition show up in your life today? What would it look like to pursue it in a way that aligns with your values, goals, and well-being?

I’d love to hear your thoughts—let’s explore together what ambition can mean in this moment.

To thoughtful striving,
Nick

P.S. Know others wrestling with these questions about ambition and success? Share this exploration with them: www.reambitioning.com