“A noble man compares and estimates himself by an idea which is higher than himself; and a mean man, by one lower than himself. The one produces aspiration; the other ambition…”

Marcus Aurelius

I was asked once, “Would you rather be a big fish in a small pond or small fish in a big pond?”

I answered, “What’s wrong with being a big fish in a big pond.”

Ambition is being a big fish in small pond.  Aspiration is growing into the big fish in a big pond.

I have long had a disdain for ambition and ambitious behavior. The poison is in the subtlety of looking down instead of looking up.  Competition based on beating others instead of beating yourself is rooted in ambition, with the selfish need and insecurity to dominate others. Aspiration is about dominating yourself on the path upward.

Comparing yourself to those below you, and dominating at a lower level of competition in the effort to elevate oneself, produces a certain level of results (reference the movie, The Benchwarmers).  There is no question that ambitious people have external successes, but does fulfillment and happiness come with it? I don’t believe it does. Instead, I opt to have aspirations, by deliberately choosing those whom I admire, competing up, and striving to achieve on higher levels.  This brings authentic success, fulfillment and happiness.

Can you honestly be happy and fulfilled by looking down, and only dominating people that have not achieved your level of performance?  Is your success real, if you only go head to head against those who aren’t at your skill level?  By looking up and competing up, instead of down, you not only strive to better yourself, but blaze a trail for those beneath you, and become aspirational to them, as well.

I have experienced no greater success than to have competed up and eventually flourish.

I have experienced no greater fulfillment than when I know I have helped others succeed at a higher level.

Go with aspiration instead of ambition.

Boo Yah!