Desire vs. Ambition
Posted by funky uncle mustard on 25 Jan 2007 at 11:46 pm | Tagged as: Being Yourself, Beliefs, CareerMustard, Meaningful Work, MustardMusings, Passions, Peter Block, PunkMustard, Purpose, Pursuing Dreams, Satisfying Work
In reading Peter Block’s The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters, I came across an interesting revelation. It was, really, quite simple.
Ambition seeks recognition.
Block suggests we need to lose our ambition. And do things that simply matter to us. Not do things that we think others will find interesting or approve of.
How many things are you working towards right now in an effort to gain recognition? It might be working extra hard at work in hopes of a promotion, raise, or some sort of “attaboy.†It might be trying to write a book or song that you feel could be a worldwide hit. It might be trying to gain a large audience in the blogosphere.
Block argues that all of those goals put others in control of our lives.
I cannot distill it well here in a short post (without much more thought and effort). But think about it: Are you doing things that you love to do – regardless of who might notice – or are you doing them to impress or seek recognition from someone else?
It’s a scary question to ask. But it might help you align your life with the things that are truly important to you.
I can always rely on you for great insights! One of the reasons I’m loving blogging so much is that writing every day – or almost every day – makes me happy. And perhaps my fear of commitment to my creative writing is because I’m forever imagining “an audience” when really I should just be doing something for myself.
I’m going to take this one away and chew on it …
Thanks for the different things to “chew on”. I am new to the world of blogging, but I like the free flow of ideas. Thanks for your challenges.
I think it is through seeking to do what you love that you challenge the rest of us…whether or not you look for our approval…
Charlotte – please chew! Let me know how it tastes. . .if it’s bad, I’ll reheat it in the microwave for you.
Seriously, though, this is definitely slow chew food.
There’s a concept in some pockets of Christianity called the “audience of One” – that audience being God. Now, this will probably only work if you have [what I would consider] a healthy view of God (i.e., loving, grace giving).
Matt – It would be very satisfying if that were the case. Approval or not, I’d like to make an impact.