An equestrian trains for months to participate in horse competitions, events such as show-jumping, dressage, or cross-country riding. In these equine events s/he is showcasing the partnership between horse and rider. Athletic skills requiring precision in horse’s balance and responsiveness, along with the rider’s harmonious connection and communication with the horse are practiced and polished. The rider may enter the summer Olympics for such events. If his focus is endurance and horse racing, he might set his sights on the Kentucky Derby.
The ambition to achieve a specific goal drives the rider’s motivation and propels her through the grueling work of preparing and perfecting skills needed to attain that end. The goal to win the coveted Gold Medal at the Olympics, or the Derby Trophy at the ‘Run for the Roses’ may be the grand ambition. But what if she aspires for greater horsemanship? What would shift?
Adam Grant, organizational psychologist, in his book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things (2023) outlines the difference between Ambition and Aspiration. “Ambition is the outcome you want to attain. Aspiration is the person you hope to become……… What counts is not how hard you work but how much you grow.” It is not the prize, it is the individual that matters more. As Grant distinguishes, “Outcome is about identity vs what you acquire”.
Agnes Callard, philosopher, author of Aspiration: The Agency of Becoming (2018) describes aspiration as a motivational change, likening it to a change of identity. “Both ambition and aspiration can fuel big changes in your life”. She considers them sibling concepts. She differentiates them, “With ambition you are trying to get the satisfaction of the desire….With aspiration you are trying to get the desire itself”. You can view her interview on this TED talk Ambition vs Aspiration | ReThinking with Adam Grant.
The 2 concepts can be distinguished thus:
Ambition: Tangible outcomes such as salary, prize, and recognition are ‘outer driven’, offering extrinsic motivation. These goals may appear arduous and challenging but are relatively easier and quicker to attain as they are obviously visible. Ambition relies on external validation and once the goal is reached, the drive to keep the impetus going can quickly atrophy.
Aspiration: Intangible gains such as keener insight, refining skills, personal growth, and character building are ‘inner driven’ fostering intrinsic motivation. These goals may appear to be flashes-in-the-pan but are harder and slower to gain as they are obscure and hidden. Aspiration relies on internal endorsement that continues to grow, and the motivation stays with you once you have gained momentum, as a work in progress.
That is the subtle difference between acquiring a prize like winning the Derby Trophy vs enhancing your self-identity like becoming a greater horseman. Would you rather just aim to get the targeted promotion at work, or also aspire to become a more influential leader? Would you rather just aim to see your research paper published, or also aspire to become a more effective educator? Would you rather just aim to get the next credential, or also aspire to become a more competent professional?
This year after setting the standard new years’ resolutions, go the extra mile to aim for a higher goal. Then, give yourself a new challenge and ask yourself what inspires you? Who do you aspire to become? By all means fuel your ambition and then find ways to articulate your purpose. Find your meaning quotient. That will prompt you to aspire to be a greater you!
“Stay hungry, stay foolish.” Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Speech, 2005.