Chapter 1: The Nature of Ambition

Let’s kick things off with a brief poem to demonstrate that my aspirations as a writer are not primarily focused on financial gain.

I confronted ambition head-on,

To free myself from its heavy load.

I recognized I wasn’t truly flourishing,

As my life became a series of constant pursuits.

Chasing after every fleeting wish

Only served to drain my happiness away.

Many advocate for the merits of having goals,

But not at the expense of everything else!

While some argue that ambition is beneficial, others make outrageous claims, like aliens invading their homes and stealing their breakfast cereal. And let’s not forget those who spout nonsense. Why bother paying attention to such voices? Instead, lend an ear to me; I rarely indulge in absurdity—though I must admit, it's growing on me.

Yes, ambition can yield positive outcomes, but at what price?

The saying "All the greats were ambitious" is a common refrain among those who prefer clichés over thoughtful dialogue. Indeed, many successful figures were driven by ambition. However, we must also acknowledge those who achieved greatness by sheer luck or circumstance, or those who possessed innate talents without being particularly ambitious.

What these proponents of ambition often overlook is that many celebrated figures endured difficult lives, tumultuous families, or severe addictions. Some were downright eccentric. That doesn’t seem particularly admirable to me.

Certainly, we might remember these individuals for decades, but is that worth living a life marked by obsession and misery? Personally, I find that being anonymous and content is far more appealing—a sentiment I haven't documented, by the way, since I chose to pursue fiction instead.

That's a transition, not to be mistaken for those silly two-wheeled scooters that some use to reach the bakery. Yes, that was me, but I had a discount voucher!

Returning to fiction, I aimed to craft the Great American Novel. Ambition!

I set my story in the Austrian Netherlands of 1775, which is a fine example of irony. Just in case you were misled by the song "Isn’t It Ironic" by Alanis Morissette—most people struggle to define irony anyway.

Isn’t it ironic that many lack a clear understanding of what irony truly is? Or perhaps I’m the one confused—it could simply be foolishness. Apparently, 18th-century adventure tales aren’t in vogue. Go figure.

To make matters worse, I gave my characters ludicrous names. Perhaps my grasp of ambition was flawed since I approached everything the “wrong” way.

So what?

Will writing an acclaimed novel enhance my character? I doubt it. Temporary praise may feel rewarding, but no one will be calling me daily to sing my praises; my family can set the record straight if needed.

Yet, I did manage to write the novel I envisioned, utilizing the skills I had at that point. Some individuals purchased it, and a handful even enjoyed it.

Here’s another truth about novels: most readers won’t voice their opinions about your work, so you’d better hope for solid sales to keep your spirits high.

After the thrill of finishing my book and realizing that few actually cared (not even my relatives), I decided to launch a newsletter. Ambition! Then I began piling on commitments until I felt completely drained, turning writing into a burden. Ambition? No—more like overcommitment, fatigue, and folly!

I could ramble on about other ways ambition fell short for me, but I’m running low on words and want to save some for my next deep-dive essay.

“Darling, have you seen my recent piece on the decline of rotary phones?”

By the way, I didn’t even know what an essay was until I started mingling with writers on Medium. Now, I'm familiar with all sorts of lofty terms and abbreviations like protagonist and WIP. I’m encouraged to take ambitious steps like "killing my darlings" or "showing, not telling."

Or pitching my book. I’ve certainly perfected the art of the sinker pitch.

Ambition!

If you wish to be ambitious, channel that drive into becoming a better person and leading a fulfilling life. Now that’s a pursuit worth chasing. Isn’t it ironic?

For a good laugh, let Medium narrate this story for you. The narrator speeds through the poem effortlessly, and even I chuckled when he uttered “jerberfooffluff.” Twice!

Catch you later, mashed potato!

Chapter 2: The Journey of Writing

The first video titled "5 Lessons From Getting Punched In The Face" explores the unexpected lessons that can arise from difficult experiences, emphasizing resilience and personal growth.

The second video, "How to Accomplish Your Wildest and Most Ambitious Goals by Living a Proactive Life," presents strategies for achieving ambitious goals through a proactive mindset.