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Success Advice

Are You Ambitious Enough For Success?

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Ambition and courage are synonymous, and admirable qualities.

The ambitious, ‘Those who have the courage to work hard and sacrifice other areas of their lives in the pursuit of a goal’, are admired. But is hard work, making a lot of money, and sacrificing other areas of your life really the sum of ambition? Or is ambition something more, and of far greater importance?

“Ambition, I have come to believe, is the most primal and sacred fundament of our being. To feel ambition and to act upon it is to embrace the unique calling of our souls. Not to act upon that ambition is to turn our backs on ourselves and on the reason for our existence.” ~ Steven Pressfield, Turning Pro

Ambition isn’t merely working long hours, conquering tribulation, and seeing a journey to its end, although that’s a reality that many ambitious people face. Ambition is “the reason for our existence“, as Pressfield puts it. It’s our soul telling us where meaning in life is found. It’s a large part of what gives our life purpose.

Where most fail to heed their soul’s ambitious call is in a lack of courage, and eventually a lack of persistence.

 

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” ~ Calvin Coolidge

 

Your Ambitious Barter for Success

Success can mean many things. For us, a large part of success is accomplishing our audacious goals and dreams. Success can be happiness, a good family life, and a life full of purpose and meaning. But few could argue that true success is found in a life lived, not dreamed. One dominated by action, not the desire to act. A life filled with fears faced, limits pushed, and relationships cultivated. A successful life is one filled with experience and action, not wishes.

For the ambitious, success – or at least a large part of it – exists in following our dreams and seeing them to fruition. But to see our dreams realized we have to give something in return.

I used to think that to be successful, and as audaciously successful as I want to be, I had to forego relationships, that I had to put my work first and live a completely unbalanced life. This past weekend, however, I was shown otherwise as I ventured from Vancouver to New Jersey to see Bruce Springsteen in his home state.

As the concert began, the 63 year-old legend stood in front of me, and the 55,000 others who hung on his every note. A man truly in pursuit of “the most primal and sacred fundament” of his being. I’ve never seen a person so in love with what they do. He’s one of the hardest working people in the business. Yet his life is without scandal. He has a wife and children, and a mother he loves. He has balance. While he gives his craft the most hours and effort, his family gives him an escape and meaning that the object of his ambition doesn’t, and can’t.

For some of us, however, our ambitions may lead us to a solitary existence, and a solo pursuit of greatness. A lifetime spent perfecting our craft.

Success demands different things from each experience. But it does require one thing from all of us: effort, both in quality and quantity.

To perfect our craft we have to give to it the time it deserves and requires to blossom. We have to wake up earlier and work harder than others. We have to be willing to sacrifice partying and drinking, even sleep, all for our craft.

Task

Where most fail isn’t in setting goals that are too high and missing, but in setting goals that are too low and succeeding. In a perfect world, devoid of limitation, what would you want to do, who would you want to be, and what would you like to accomplish? To take it a bit deeper is there one thing – whether it’s a job, a way of life, or a career you’d be willing to cut your life short 10 years to achieve?

Write it down. Then answer this:

In the next 10 years, what are you willing to give up to accomplish it? How many hours a day, how many days a week, how many vacations missed and parties are you willing to give?

The bigger the goal, the greater the sacrifice.

If you want to become a published author, you need to study. You need to read anything and everything. If you want to be a billionaire, waiting around for a great idea won’t get you there. Spend the next 5 years working, saving, and learning about other billionaire’s and their road to success. What did they do to get their billions?

 

You may need to sacrifice other areas of your life as well. You may need:

  • Strict budgeting of finances.
  • A 7-day a week work schedule of 12+ hours a day.
  • To identify earlier on than most if a relationship is right. If it’s wrong, it can be toxic to your success.
  • To learn how to say no, and say it a lot.
  • To figure out a strict routine – not leaving your energy levels or ability to focus to chance.
  • To recharge your batteries on weekends by not getting drunk then having to struggle to get back into a routine.
  • To go above and beyond what you’ve done before. Pushing boundaries. Actively getting out of your comfort zone.
  • Facing your fears at every opportunity.

 

The Courage To Follow Your Ambition

By visiting this site, you have ambition. Success will happen in matching that ambition with what you desire most in life, and then having the persistence and courage to see it through to its end.

If the road to success is wrought with peaks and valleys, – usually more valleys than peaks – failure, pain, uncertainty, and brutish hard work, are the ambitious cursed? This burning desire that fuels an early wake up and the 16-hour workday, does it stand in the way of happiness?

There are those who want nothing more than a simple life, and I’m not looking down or degrading their goals or viewpoint. If anything, I envy them. To be satisfied with something they’re virtually born with leads to a life that will surely by successful. However, I don’t think the ambitious are cursed, rather blessed. It’s when we realize that within the journey lies the lessons, the personal development, the suffering, the fun, and the growth, that we will see this struggle, hustle, and battle as a blessing.

To have that burning desire, even if we don’t know where to focus it, is a gift. It’s beautiful. It’s your ability to hear what your soul truly wants. Have the courage to be who you are and pursue it with passion. Be different. Be bold. Embrace your ambition.

Chad Howse is the creator of Be Legendary, a company dedicated to helping guys experience greatness in Fitness, Work, & Life. Chad has been featured in Men's Health, Men's Fitness, and Shape magazines, and is a contributor to the Art of Manliness, and Addicted2Success.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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