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Welcome to My Musings, where I share insights that have impacted me, thoughts on personal growth, and actionable strategies to help you navigate career and life transitions.

Today: The Difference between Ambition and Purpose

"The ease of having an ambition is that it can be explained to others; the very disease of ambition is that it can be so easily explained to others. What is worthy of a life’s dedication does not want to be known by us in ways that diminish its actual sense of presence. Everything true to itself has its own secret language and an internal intentionality with a secret, surprising flow, even to the person who supposedly puts it all in motion."
– David Whyte

Let me say this upfront: ambition is loud, and purpose is quiet. Ambition makes a to-do list; purpose whispers, “Why?” Ambition thrives on achievement, while purpose finds joy in meaning. Sometimes ambition and purpose are best friends, and other times, they’re at war.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. It’s easy to let ambition take the wheel - there’s a lot to pay for, a lot to prove, and a lot of pressure for both. But there’s a cost. When ambition becomes the boss, it can leave you chasing things that don’t matter as much as you thought they did. Purpose, on the other hand, is the thing that lingers even after you’ve caught up to everyone else, and, have checked off all the boxes on your list. It’s what keeps you going, even when no one’s watching.

So, how do you figure out which one is running the show?

Ambition: The Showstopper

Ambition is great—don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It’s the energy that gets things done. It’s hitting a milestone, earning recognition, closing the deal. Ambition thrives on results and thrives even more when those results come with applause.

But it’s never full. It’s like a hungry ghost, always asking for more. It says, “Okay, you did that—what’s next?” It doesn’t care if you’re tired or disconnected; it just wants to keep climbing.

Purpose: The Compass

Purpose is different. Purpose doesn’t yell, “Look at me!” It asks, “What’s the point?” Purpose isn’t about how much you make or how far you go; it’s about how much what you’re doing matters to you.

For me, purpose is about helping people connect to their meaning. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone have that “aha” moment, where they realize what’s been holding them back—or what’s possible moving forward. Purpose doesn’t always care about shiny accolades. It’s quiet but relentless, like a compass pointing you back to your true north.

When Ambition Hijacks Purpose

But, here’s where it gets tricky. Sometimes ambition takes over and pushes purpose to the side. I’ve been there and I see it happen with people I know and work with all the time — caught up in chasing goals that don’t feel aligned. Sometimes it’s about money, competition, or just keeping up appearances. The work becomes about results, not meaning.

When that happens, I feel it. Something feels off. The work gets heavier, and even the wins feel hollow. That’s when I need to remind myself it’s time to pause and recalibrate.

How to Keep Ambition and Purpose in Balance

If you’ve ever felt this tension, you’re not alone. Here are some ways I’ve learned to differentiate ambition from purpose and create space for what really matters:

1. Ask the Hard Questions

• Why am I doing this?

• Is this goal about external validation, or does it align with what’s deeply important to me?

• Would I still pursue this if no one noticed?

When I ask myself these questions, I can usually tell whether I’m working toward something meaningful or just ticking boxes.

2. Schedule Time for Purpose

This one’s big. Purpose doesn’t scream for attention the way ambition does. You have to make room for it.

• Block out a “purpose day”: a day to just be—read, walk, make art, reflect. No agenda, no productivity metrics.

• Set boundaries: Tell your family or team, “I’m taking this day for myself because it’s part of what keeps me aligned.”

3. Reframe Ambition as a Tool

Instead of letting ambition drive you, use it as a tool to serve your purpose.

• Tie your goals to your deeper “why.” For example, if your ambition is to grow your business, ask how that growth supports the impact you want to make.

• Let gratitude for your purpose shape how you approach ambition.

My Experiment: Taking a Day for Purpose

Here’s what I’m doing to put this into practice. In the next couple of weeks, I’m taking a day off. No work. No hustle. Just purpose.

Here’s the plan:

• Read for enjoyment, not self-improvement.

• Make some art, even if it’s messy.

• Take a long walk with no destination in mind.

• Eat lunch alone—no screens, no rushing.

• Visit a museum or gallery, just to take in the beauty of someone else’s creativity.

The goal? To end the day feeling exhausted but full, like I’ve just had the best meal of my life.

The hardest part will be ignoring ambition’s voice. It’ll try to tell me I’m wasting time, falling behind, or being indulgent. But I know better. Purpose doesn’t waste time—it fuels everything else.

Letting Purpose Lead

Here’s what I’ve realized: when I let purpose lead, ambition falls into place. When I’m aligned with what truly matters, the rest feels easier. Ambition stops being a hungry ghost and becomes a powerful ally.

But it takes work. It takes pausing to ask hard questions and carving out time for purpose, even when life feels chaotic. It takes trusting that purpose doesn’t need to scream to be worth listening to.

So, here’s my challenge to you: What would it look like to let purpose take the lead this week? Maybe it’s blocking out a few hours for yourself. Maybe it’s saying no to a goal that doesn’t feel meaningful. Maybe it’s just asking, “Why am I doing this?”

Whatever it is, start small. Purpose doesn’t need to prove itself; it just needs space to breathe. And when you make that space, you might be surprised at how much it fills you.

Want More?

I work with people and teams to confidently meet change at work and in life; to foster cultures of mentorship; and, to hone and develop soft skills to create better leaders. Through that work, folks uncover their deeper purpose, navigate challenging transitions, and answer the call to vocation. 

If you’d like to explore what’s coming up for you, get in touch.

I hope this week’s edition has been helpful. See you next week.