My local newspaper printed an article recently deriding the Dr Seuss’ approach of instilling hope and ambition in children. The main argument centered around the notion that big ambitions can lead to big disappointments and it is the very few and very fortunate that get to become footballers and TV stars and such. The author spoke out against what he called an epidemic of effortlessness and as the local career counsellor I felt duty bound to respond, hoping that, at the very least, a discussion may be engaged. I agree that we live in a culture where success can appear to be bestowed for no apparent reason with the ‘stars’ being so devoid of any obvious talent, but I cannot see how damping ambition can in anyway enhance our world, communities or our own lives. Even seemingly ‘talentless’ people have made an investment in their career if fortunate enough to see it come to fruition, it has done so because of their commitment and effort. Success does not look the same for everyone and although we may not always like to see people get on when they have used their connections, their looks or methods that are not available to all we must acknowledge that those people have also approached their career creatively and put in their time, which is, if nothing else, an option available to all, but taken in earnest only by the few who do succeed.
One of the main costs of big ambition is that there are no guarantees that you will succeed. Hard as you try, hard as you dream, no one can ensure the desired outcome and pay your mortgage until it happens. Big ambition, can be very hard on the pocket in the short term, unless you find a way to continue to make some money from an old enterprise or a new one. Many a person I have come across on their way to their success has worked hard at their nine to five job until they were able to let go of their old working life and begin their new one ‘officially’. Bankers have launched magazines, HR professionals have scribbled, solicitors have converted farms to holiday homes and all in their own time, often funding these projects out of their own pocket. It is sheer determination and ingenuity that has seen the obstacles be overcome by these individuals and it is a testament to their determination and relentless approach that they succeeded where others have failed.
Some people dream of fame, but most people dream about doing a job to which they feel suited. It may not seem particularly challenging to go from the role of Project Manager to that of Teacher since both are jobs that require specific skills (some overlapping admittedly) and a certain level of academic achievement, but when you have a young family and are used to a certain income and are faced with losing that for atleast a year while you retrain and submit to a lower salary for a number of years can and has put many people off. Going through the rigorous training while bringing up your family and maintaining some level of your lifestyle, can make the whole enterprise seem as likely as becoming a pop star at the age of 70 for others and yet those who decide that it is worth the risk can find a way of minimizing the impacts of these obstacles.
Another cost of big ambition is that you have to learn to believe in yourself and in your ability to succeed in your chosen goal almost exclusively. It is very unusual that you will have an army of supporters among your significant others, including your bank manager and lenders. Ambition requires you to develop a shield against those who will tell you almost continually that you will not succeed. Being doubted and doubting yourself is often too much for most people who never try enough for fear they may fail. This is of course the surest way to fail possible. It is important to be honest and have a firm grasp of things that are not working so that you can change your path and not cling onto a failing approach like a modern day Captain Ahab being tasked by your ambition whale. However, the fear of loss can stop you from taking a risk and making a loss, but it will also stop you making any gains. There are always risks to be measured and challenges to overcome. The difference between those who make their career dreams come true and those who do not, is not being paralysed by the fear of failure.
Failure is the result for some enterprises. We do not always get what we set out to. Not everyone’s ambition leads them to the kind of success that they would have wanted, that is accepted, or that is immediately understood. There are times when effort, face and money is lost. The ultimate cost of big ambition is failure and disappointment and with it financial fall outs. There is also the impact on personal standing and on one’s family. This is indeed a chilling future for any person to even consider navigating towards. There are very many reasons why career dreams flounder and there can be no guarantees of success. All there ever can be is the promise that doing a job you love will never feel like work. Everyone of us has to work out if this is worth us taking such risks.
Disappointments may appear like hurdles on the horizon of your ambition. People who trailblaze and work outside of the experience of their families, their community, or beyond their means do so despite the obvious challenges. They accept that some disappointment is inevitable on the way to success. Their faces, or stories are unlikely to ever be recognised by a mass audience or reach the news. They generally report great learning along with their great success. Their ambition fuels them to make it and they become determined and creative in finding ways to make their dreams come true. Surely the greatest cost of big ambition is not trying at all? You may not succeed, but in the words of Dr Seuss, you may move mountains.
