Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. – Bill Bradley
Ambition is one of those traits many of us don’t have enough of, If at all. You can’t blame the majority of people for not having any either, though it’s not an excuse. Through out our childhood we’re encouraged to get an education, get a job, and “just” get by. We’re encouraged to “just” have enough, do enough, and achieve an average amount. But there’s no ambition in achieving an “average” amount.
Ambition is about thinking enormous. Ambition is about thinking massive, and having an insane amount of drive to push you towards those goals. Any ambition we have as kids gets sucked out of us by the education system, not to mention our parents and those around us who lack ambition.
There are 6 words you’ll never hear an ambitious person say. And If you’re lacking some, you need to adopt these habits and ways of thinking!
1. It’s Impossible
Not only does it seem impossible until it’s done, there are countless people who have already done it. Ambitious people know this, and nothing is impossible to them as far as they see it.
And even if an ambitious person doesn’t know somebody’s already done it, they’ll still believe it’s possible anyway.
Look at the internet for example. Do you really believe the internet would exist If the creators thought it was “impossible“? Of course not.
And do you think countless creations would exist if the creators lacked ambition? No way. Nothing is impossible in the eyes of the ambitious!
“It always seems impossible until its done.” – Nelson Mandela
2. I can’t do that
An ambitious person has a “can do” attitude at all times. It’s a part of their DNA and a natural habit. Ambitious people believe “I can” no matter how insane, crazy, out of this world, unconventional, or challenging it might be.
A non ambitious person believes “I can’t” so as a result they don’t.
The meaning of ambition is a strong desire to do or achieve something. But you can’t have a strong desire to achieve something If you’re operating on a “can’t” mentality.
Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. ― Henry Ford
3. I don’t have what it takes
You’ll never in your life time hear an ambitious person say “I don’t have what it takes“. Such a statement ain’t even a part of their mentality or vocabulary. Their brain doesn’t register or believe it.
Where as a non ambitious person believes they don’t have what it takes to achieve, succeed, or get something done. So they never have the guts, ability and drive to get it done. Period.
4. I’m not willing to do whatever it takes
Ambitious people are driven to succeed, achieve and accomplish what must be accomplished. Ambitious people will do whatever it takes to come out on top. and make it happen no matter what. Ambitious people are willing to pay the cost to get there, even If it means facing failure and dozens of setbacks.
Ambitious people are willing to keep pushing and keep moving forward, regardless of how many times they’re knocked down.
I’ll use Mark Cuban as an example. He failed many businesses and had to start over multiple times before he became successful. Ambitious people will do whatever it takes for however long it takes to succeed.
People who lack ambition aren’t willing to do that, so they settle for less.
5. Success is an option
Ambitious people don’t see success as an “option”, they see it as a MUST. They see success as a “succeed or die trying” mentality. They don’t see it as just an alternative, an option, or something there’s a “chance” they can have.
Ambitious people see it as a responsibility, a MUST, a commitment and a vow.
Non ambitious people don’t see it this way, so they get too comfortable and too relaxed with what they have.
6. I’ll never be successful
What you affirm is what you believe, and what you believe is what you’re destined to have. Ambitious people might have ups and downs like everybody does, but their core beliefs don’t change.
They’ll still believe they can be successful no matter how big the challenges are. And they’ll still believe they have what it takes to be successful no matter how difficult.
Find someone you know who has no ambition whatsoever, and I can guarantee you they don’t believe they’ll ever be successful. Ambitious people are too determined and focus to be thinking like that!
Hope you enjoyed this article. If you’ve got ambition, keep that ambition burning because you need it.
Feature Image originally by Brooks Brothers
Great points. “I cant” means I am too lazy to seek out options and opportunities that will allow me to do what I want to do.
Couldn’t of said it better myself, Mike. Taking the letter T off the word “can’t” can make such a big difference to your attitude and actions!
What an inspiring article, we are all born leaders and effective and ambitious leaders never have a negative mindset.
Your absolutely right about that! It’s all about the mindset. Appreciate your comment 🙂
Yes one of the reason why you never hear an Ambitious say or use these language pointed above is because they believe in themselves. Of a truth, one major reason why many get defeated in life or don’t make it in life is because they don’t believe in themselves.
We really need to believe in ourselves that if others could achieve success, that we could as well achieve success. No man or woman could achieve success if he or she don’t accept or believe in himself or herself.
Very well said, Vincent! It all starts with you. Self belief is the key to achievement and persevering. Thanks for commenting 🙂
Amazing article, I found this really awesome, Over the years I’ve developed personal change in the way i thought and saw things, to where I can say confidently I can do that, and I will do that rather than “Oh man, i cant do that.”
thank you for sharing 🙂
You made a great point there, Mark. I think it’s all about self awareness. It makes it easier to shift your way of thinking. Thanks for commenting!
Bacana!
Hey Theo,
I like no 5 most of all. It’s not enough to be ambitious – it has to be a vow!
You can say that again, Peter! Appreciate the comment
Definitely true!
Great article Theo and thanks for sharing!
People may still think they’re ambitious, or perhaps even are ambitious when they say the above. It just takes a small change in their mindset in order to get the above thoughts out of their mind and starting unlocking that ambitious side of them.
Keep up the good work!
Definitely, Dan. Mindset can literally make or break ambition, as well as other necessary traits that help you progress. Love your comment
Great post!
So true that school and other social conditioning is suppressing our ambition! Instead of learning to accept mediocrity, we should nurture our ambition and learn to strive for success!
I would add “It’s good enough” to the things ambitious people never say. An ambitious person would never accept that something is just “good enough” – he goes for the gold!
Thanks for that great post. Another thing ambitious people never do is take “no” for an answer. It could be tied into #1 but I am always impressed that the word “NO” to an ambitious person is a great motivator.
I do not like to hear the word “NO” but I get angry when I do and then I set out to prove the person wrong. It is a word that propels me to prove people wrong.
Ambitious people do not sweat the small stuff either. Failure is a great motivator for them. If they suffer a setback they see it as a great way to stage an awesome comeback.