I think as a rule the majority of individuals do have ambitions whether they be as simple as finding a job they enjoy or having a happy home life; to the larger ones like becoming a top-selling author, having your own private jet and a mansion with a view. I don’t think the breadth or existence of ambitions varies regardless of where you are.

I don’t believe that there is any correlation between an openness with sharing your ambitions and successfully acheiving them.

For me there is a big difference between having ambitions and being of an ambitious nature. If someone were to describe themselves as ambitious I would immediately be concerned that in addition to being driven, they would also lack sympathy for others. I think this perception might be what stops us from sharing our ambitions with others as a nation. We don’t want to be perceived as self-centered, ruthless or cocky.

If one were to say they had ambitions however, I would feel differently. Having ambitions is natural. If their ambitions had a positive impact on others I would support them even more. For example, I have a friend from Uganda who’s life ambition is to go back to Uganda and open up a laundrette so that the women in the village don’t spend all day hand washing clothes. Because this is a selfless ambition I think it’s far easier to get behind and support.

It’s not to say that one ambition is better than another, hey- it’s the individuals perogative!