“Ambition is a sanctioned drug, that society wants to see us overdose on.”
In 2009, I released a co-written book called “How to Slack Your Way to Success.” While juvenile in its execution (we all have to grow up sometime), it’s remarkable how relevant its message would be for today.
I was part of a generation that grew up with the constant messaging that we could be whatever we wanted and that we should all be striving to change the world. My friends have aptly coined this “greatness syndrome” and its effects are damaging because it cranks your ambition to unhealthy levels while causing massive anxiety for not achieving your unrealistic goals.
Steve Jobs didn’t help temper this when he told a graduating class to leave their dent in the universe, which was echoed by every person looking to offer guidance to others.
Slack Your Way to Success was the antithesis to this idea. A real push back:
You only have so much time and energy, so put your focus into a few things and ignore the rest. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with being a content, nameless person in this world who simply enjoys their life. While that core message stands, we would add an addendum that says to never settle for less than you’re capable.
Unfortunately, the examples we hold up and the messaging today has skyrocketed the impetus for greatness syndrome today. People are made to feel like “sheep,” failures or on the road to success (you never get there because the goal posts keep moving). All it really does is make people feel invisible, which is why so many attempt to justify their existence through hollow likes on social media.
Guess what? It’s okay.
Very few ever end up in a history book (and often, you don’t want to appear there anyway). The world will keep changing and all you gotta do is ask yourself some questions:
Did I do my best?
Did I enjoy my time?
Did I attempt to make the world a little better, no matter how small of a gesture?
You can’t find an ambition greater than that.