Thank you very much for this article. It really resonated with my own fraught relationship with ambition. Similar to what you have written in the article, I tried to prove my self-worth through my work, which led me to disappointment, a sense of worthlessness, and depression. Now, thanks to years of therapy, I am trying to recalibrate my life and try to live it more according to my own values.
Doga – congratulations on making what was once likely subconscious conscious and now diversifying your sources of meaning! good luck on your journey in living in pursuit of your truest values. rooting for you :)
I can relate to this. I am very ambitious, but I want it to be for the right reasons. I want to change the media ecosystem from one focused on the problems to one focused on the solutions, in journalism, fiction, and film. That’s a big undertaking! But it’s a pivot from my old one (to be a journalist at the New York Times and a New York Times bestselling author.) One is societal driven, the other is ego driven.
I did a lot of self-help in my 20s and ultimately I didn't like how that was leading me in the direction of "what do I want?" At some point I decided I'd rather wonder, "what do *we* want?"
Oddly, I think it was reading an article about the founder of Toms that sparked that in me. He said he had "for one another" tattooed on his arm to remind him that it's better to focus on the world and the world's problems than to be stuck in a cyclone of your own problems.
what a cool story – I've always thought that we need more companies like Toms in the world. it's way more fun to rally with others to solve the world's problems than to pick apart our own
Thank you for sharing these words Cissy. I am new to your community, but how profoundly I resonate with your experience and your words. We are both walking very different paths, but somehow I feel seen by the words you've shared.
To quiet that need to satisfy society's vision of success is one of the hardest battles to overcome, but it's refreshing to find someone who has worked in industries that are objectively the picture of success is come to these conclusions.
What is your grand vision for your future life now? I wonder. :)
welcome, welcome! happy to have you and I'm so grateful to hear that you feel seen through my words :)
it's only in finding others who have transcended the societal pressure of what we *should* do that I've nurtured the confidence to bet on myself and hope to support others in their own journey of turning up the dial on what truly matters to them
here's the latest on my grand vision: redefining human flourishing in the 21st century, one community experiment at a time! https://www.moremyself.xyz/p/flourish
As someone who feels like they have lost their ambition, especially after graduating college and entering the workforce in a role that is far from aligned with calls my heart, this was a lovely read this Wednesday morning. I love the idea of bearing witness to the fears and insecurities that may actually be playing a secret hand in guiding our actions. Thank you!
I'd venture to bet that your ambition is still alive in you :) just buried under all the societal shoulds we're inundated with. rooting for you on your journey back to your truth!
I always love what you write Cissy. As someone who is also on a sabbatical, you touch on many topics that I am wrestling with myself. It’s so reassuring to read what I’ve been thinking about, and making sense of it. 💕
This was delicious to read, Cissy - I relate with it so deeply. I also transitioned from a previous career that I went into because I thought that was what I had to do to prove myself worthy in the world. I gave my genuine interests and passions no place in that ladder I was climbing. In my transition, I'm self-actualising from a place of curiosity and trust. It feels wholesome, yet excitingly terrifying.
I write about transitions on my community blog for PivoTech.io. The latest post in particular, talks about the balance of curiosity and trust in being a multidisciplinary technologist. I'd love to know what you think and connect with you over Google Meet <3
ah, I know the life where you prioritize work over all else so well. so happy for you that you've found space to fuel your ambition from a place of trust & curiosity. what a magical place to be :)
Hello Cissy,
Thank you very much for this article. It really resonated with my own fraught relationship with ambition. Similar to what you have written in the article, I tried to prove my self-worth through my work, which led me to disappointment, a sense of worthlessness, and depression. Now, thanks to years of therapy, I am trying to recalibrate my life and try to live it more according to my own values.
Anyway, thank you again for the piece!
Doga – congratulations on making what was once likely subconscious conscious and now diversifying your sources of meaning! good luck on your journey in living in pursuit of your truest values. rooting for you :)
If we stop pretending we’re driving the car, we can let go of the wheel and notice where the car is taking us.
love that analogy, Dan – that "car" we think we're control of is far wiser than we realize
I can relate to this. I am very ambitious, but I want it to be for the right reasons. I want to change the media ecosystem from one focused on the problems to one focused on the solutions, in journalism, fiction, and film. That’s a big undertaking! But it’s a pivot from my old one (to be a journalist at the New York Times and a New York Times bestselling author.) One is societal driven, the other is ego driven.
that is a big undertaking! but I have a feeling that you're the woman for the job and it seems like you're having a blast along the way :)
what were some of the biggest things that helped you transition your fuel from ego to societal driven?
I did a lot of self-help in my 20s and ultimately I didn't like how that was leading me in the direction of "what do I want?" At some point I decided I'd rather wonder, "what do *we* want?"
Oddly, I think it was reading an article about the founder of Toms that sparked that in me. He said he had "for one another" tattooed on his arm to remind him that it's better to focus on the world and the world's problems than to be stuck in a cyclone of your own problems.
what a cool story – I've always thought that we need more companies like Toms in the world. it's way more fun to rally with others to solve the world's problems than to pick apart our own
it's all going to be vapor one day anyways: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ELxqlES8v8 might as well focus on the most ambitious undertakings!
Thank you for sharing these words Cissy. I am new to your community, but how profoundly I resonate with your experience and your words. We are both walking very different paths, but somehow I feel seen by the words you've shared.
To quiet that need to satisfy society's vision of success is one of the hardest battles to overcome, but it's refreshing to find someone who has worked in industries that are objectively the picture of success is come to these conclusions.
What is your grand vision for your future life now? I wonder. :)
welcome, welcome! happy to have you and I'm so grateful to hear that you feel seen through my words :)
it's only in finding others who have transcended the societal pressure of what we *should* do that I've nurtured the confidence to bet on myself and hope to support others in their own journey of turning up the dial on what truly matters to them
here's the latest on my grand vision: redefining human flourishing in the 21st century, one community experiment at a time! https://www.moremyself.xyz/p/flourish
That’s something worth celebrating— turning up the dial on what’s most meaningful is the mission I’ve been exploring. 🙂
I read your grand vision and never have I been so aligned with your vision of a future life, I wrote this piece too:
https://thehappyhue.substack.com/p/the-paradox-of-prosperity-and-poor : The Paradox of Prosperity and A Decline in Health, where I explore the misplaced priorities I feel humanity has had for too long and the very real impacts we’re experiencing.
thanks for sharing your essay! love to hear this is top of mind for you :)
As someone who feels like they have lost their ambition, especially after graduating college and entering the workforce in a role that is far from aligned with calls my heart, this was a lovely read this Wednesday morning. I love the idea of bearing witness to the fears and insecurities that may actually be playing a secret hand in guiding our actions. Thank you!
I'd venture to bet that your ambition is still alive in you :) just buried under all the societal shoulds we're inundated with. rooting for you on your journey back to your truth!
I always love what you write Cissy. As someone who is also on a sabbatical, you touch on many topics that I am wrestling with myself. It’s so reassuring to read what I’ve been thinking about, and making sense of it. 💕
so grateful to hear you continue to find resonance in my words & musings, Mika – means a lot! know you're not alone in all that you grapple with 😌
This was delicious to read, Cissy - I relate with it so deeply. I also transitioned from a previous career that I went into because I thought that was what I had to do to prove myself worthy in the world. I gave my genuine interests and passions no place in that ladder I was climbing. In my transition, I'm self-actualising from a place of curiosity and trust. It feels wholesome, yet excitingly terrifying.
I write about transitions on my community blog for PivoTech.io. The latest post in particular, talks about the balance of curiosity and trust in being a multidisciplinary technologist. I'd love to know what you think and connect with you over Google Meet <3
ah, I know the life where you prioritize work over all else so well. so happy for you that you've found space to fuel your ambition from a place of trust & curiosity. what a magical place to be :)
love your latest piece – thanks for sharing it!