Ambition And The Modern Careerist

Ambition and the Modern Careerist You don’t typically hear about ambition nowadays; it’s a time period that feels barely quaint, like one thing out of Mad Men. Somewhere alongside the way in which, ambition went out of fashion, or at least exhibiting it did. Recently, articles about Olympic snowboarder Shaun White reported that he is wildly unpopular among his fellow snowboarders although he nearly singlehandedly introduced the game to the world stage. Other snowboarders found his ambition to win unseemly. According to a February 2014 article for Slate Magazine by Justin Peters and Josh Levin, “Even though White is maybe the bestâ€"and positively the most effective-knownâ€"snowboarder on the earth, he has never fit in with the game’s mellow bro culture, during which everyone gets alongside and it’s gauche to admit that you just care about victory.” Ambition is commonly associated (not all the time fairly) with ruthlessness and narcissism, and many people find it a repelling quality. We all wish to be succ essful, however it should surprise us, falling onto our heads like an unexpected rain bathe on a summer’s day. “Me, a vp? Why, I’ve by no means thought of it. But of course, I’m joyful to simply accept…” Wanting it feels so greedy. And then, if you obviously want it and don’t get it, you threat the Schadenfreude of all of your opponents and enemies. But maybe we’re just rethinking our priorities. Ambition has been declining amongst professional girls in the workplace for the past ten years, in accordance with a yearly survey from More Magazine. Women, especially, are rejecting the concept of “having it all.” We know that it’s not possible to have a totally balanced life the place work and family get equal time and a spotlight. So many women (and men) are selecting family first. We’re additionally tired of owning things that we don’t have time to get pleasure from. “I work incredibly lengthy days to pay for the massive lovely house filled with things I by no means see because I work incredibly lengthy days.” Sound acquainted? Ever since Sheryl Sandberg (author of Lean In) gave us permission to view our careers as jungle gyms, and never necessarily ladders, we’ve been rethinking our technique. We want to assemble careers that have that means, problem us, and convey us happiness. And that’s not all the time about money and status. Would you describe your self as ambitious? Leave a remark. Published by candacemoody Candace’s background consists of Human Resources, recruiting, training and assessment. She spent several years with a national staffing company, serving employers on both coasts. Her writing on enterprise, career and employment issues has appeared in the Florida Times Union, the Jacksonville Business Journal, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and 904 Magazine, in addition to a number of national publications and websites. Candace is usually quoted in the media on native labor market and employment issues.