Wonderful read. I learned something recently that I wish I’d understood much earlier: just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
For a decade, I was driven by this almost constant fear of not living up to my potential — as if every capability had to be used, every opportunity taken, every possible version of myself pursued.
I’m starting to think much more about energy instead: what fuels me, what drains me, and which parts of my potential I actually want to realize.
I launched a Substack yesterday where I’m exploring exactly these questions around potential. Would love to see you there. 💜
is it possible that your ambition shapeshifts over time? right now, i think i’m very much experiencing silenced ambition, but it wasn’t always that way
I love the description of the different times of ambition! I too have cycled through and around these to find how to best work with my ambition. Because it's a special thing when it comes from the right place. For a while, I had resentment for it and thought I might be better suited to a life in a jungle away from everyone, but that never came to pass and I learnt to embrace my ambition and I'm so glad I did. Congrats on your partnership too!
I’m writing about My Brilliant Career this week too, and this made me think about the difference between ambition and devotion.
There’s ambition that asks, How much can I achieve? And there’s something else that asks, What do I love enough to give my life and energy to?
The second can look ambitious from the outside, but it feels entirely different from proving, accumulating, or becoming impressive.
That’s part of what Sybylla has been stirring in me: maybe a brilliant career isn’t ultimately about how far we go. Maybe it’s about finding the work that feels worthy of our devotion.
Wow i love this! So refreshing to read such an embodied take on ambition. I read this and was vigorously nodding yes for most of it - unchecked ambition especially, it nearly did me in 😵💫
"So claim this version, whether it roars and rumbles or whether it’s quiet and humble." SO good Anna and love all these renditions of ambition! I'm so excited for you and this version of ambition that feels like YOU. Thank you for this!
Picking favourites amongst your Stack is somewhat a fools game, but this is glittering gold Anna! No doubt your readers are here for the expert insight and experience, though I’m sure they also felt the literary joy of this piece - it’s a beautiful standout!
Wonderful read. I learned something recently that I wish I’d understood much earlier: just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
For a decade, I was driven by this almost constant fear of not living up to my potential — as if every capability had to be used, every opportunity taken, every possible version of myself pursued.
I’m starting to think much more about energy instead: what fuels me, what drains me, and which parts of my potential I actually want to realize.
I launched a Substack yesterday where I’m exploring exactly these questions around potential. Would love to see you there. 💜
Such a great point. Capability ≠ capacity
is it possible that your ambition shapeshifts over time? right now, i think i’m very much experiencing silenced ambition, but it wasn’t always that way
Definitely! Mine has taken sooo many shapes over the years. I think it really depends on where you're at in life, and what your priorities are.
First off: WOW this is some beautiful prose. The way those words danced on the page, thank you for writing this!
Reminds me a lot of my own ambition-searching in my recent post here: https://mikareyes.substack.com/p/the-6-career-games-to-play-in-the
Thank you for sharing this powerful piece!
Thank you 🙏🏼
Feeling pumped 💪🙌
I love the description of the different times of ambition! I too have cycled through and around these to find how to best work with my ambition. Because it's a special thing when it comes from the right place. For a while, I had resentment for it and thought I might be better suited to a life in a jungle away from everyone, but that never came to pass and I learnt to embrace my ambition and I'm so glad I did. Congrats on your partnership too!
Many thanks, great essay! I gleaned so much from this and will continue to read it as a refresher!
Wonderful!
Wow love this so much. Thank you for writing this article.
I can see how I shifted in the last decade across different types of ambitions.
At this moment:
I can with full heart say that I am getting a taste of inspired ambition. 💜
I'm so happy for you!
chapter one probably just felt like ambition at the time.
and it was working.
the contract came in. the partnership happened. the community kept growing.
so nothing on the outside was saying stop.
how are you supposed to know something is wrong while it is still working?
I’m writing about My Brilliant Career this week too, and this made me think about the difference between ambition and devotion.
There’s ambition that asks, How much can I achieve? And there’s something else that asks, What do I love enough to give my life and energy to?
The second can look ambitious from the outside, but it feels entirely different from proving, accumulating, or becoming impressive.
That’s part of what Sybylla has been stirring in me: maybe a brilliant career isn’t ultimately about how far we go. Maybe it’s about finding the work that feels worthy of our devotion.
Oo nice! I'll keep my eye out for your essay 😍
Such a great dive into the various kinds of ambition. As a newish entrepreneur I feel more ambitious as my true self when I follow my intuition
Wow i love this! So refreshing to read such an embodied take on ambition. I read this and was vigorously nodding yes for most of it - unchecked ambition especially, it nearly did me in 😵💫
Same 🫠
"So claim this version, whether it roars and rumbles or whether it’s quiet and humble." SO good Anna and love all these renditions of ambition! I'm so excited for you and this version of ambition that feels like YOU. Thank you for this!
Thank you! It's been a journey 🙈
I really liked the different types of ambition you listened out as I do think it manifests differently for everyone!
It absolutely does!
So true..thanks for sharing
You're welcome
Picking favourites amongst your Stack is somewhat a fools game, but this is glittering gold Anna! No doubt your readers are here for the expert insight and experience, though I’m sure they also felt the literary joy of this piece - it’s a beautiful standout!
Thank you 🥹
30s is better !!! They really suck you into thinking it all has to be a certain way. I’m too tired!!
30s is a great decade