17 Ambition Examples: 6 Stories of Ambitious Individuals

Do you know that burning desire deep within you to achieve something great? That restless voice urging you on to bigger and better things? What’s your ambition talking? Ambition is what fuels our greatest accomplishments and pushes humanity forward. Without ambition, we’d still be living in caves, content with the status quo.

Some people seem born with an extra dose of ambition. They have an unquenchable thirst to do more, see more, and become more. For the rest of us, ambition is something that needs to be nurtured and coaxed out. The good news is, ambition is contagious. When we read about the ambitious exploits of others, it stirs something in us. It makes us realize what’s possible and ignites our own dreams and aspirations.

In the following examples, you’ll meet 6 ambitious and inspiring individuals and 19 ambition examples to inspire yourself.. As you read their stories, let their ambition fuel your own. Let it remind you of the unfulfilled potential within you and the goals you’ve yet to achieve. Then go out and start unleashing your ambition on the world. The future is yours to shape.

How does ambition drive personal growth?

Ambition is what fuels your personal growth and helps you achieve your full potential. When you have ambition, you’re driven to better yourself and expand your abilities. You seek out new challenges and opportunities to learn and develop new skills.

1. Ambition leads to continuous self-improvement.

Ambitious people constantly strive to strengthen their knowledge and skills. They read books, take online courses, pursue advanced degrees, get coaching or mentoring, and find other ways to keep learning and improving themselves. With ambition, you adopt a growth mindset and believe you can enhance your talents and abilities through hard work and perseverance.

2. It inspires you to step outside your comfort zone.

To progress, you have to be willing to take risks and try new things. Ambitious people don’t shy away from challenges or difficult tasks. They embrace opportunities to push themselves in new directions. Although it may feel uncomfortable at first, stepping out of your routine and habitual ways of thinking helps you discover new strengths and hidden talents.

3. It increases your motivation and determination.

When you have ambition, you develop an unstoppable drive to achieve your goals and dreams. Obstacles or setbacks don’t discourage you. Instead, they increase your resolve and motivation. You become determined to overcome whatever challenges stand in your way. With strong ambition, you can accomplish amazing things through dedication and perseverance.

Ambition Examples

Ambition is the fuel that powers your personal growth. It gives you the motivation to continuously improve yourself, the courage to step outside your comfort zone, and the determination to overcome obstacles. By unleashing your ambition, you can achieve more than you ever imagined possible. Here are few examples of ambitions.

1. Achieve a Lifelong Goal

Achieving a lifelong goal is incredibly rewarding. It gives you a sense of purpose and motivation, and the satisfaction of accomplishing something meaningful. Here are a few examples to inspire your ambition:

•Learn a new language. Whether you want to connect with your heritage or open yourself up to new cultures, learning a foreign language is a rewarding lifelong pursuit. Start with an app, online course, or local class to learn the basics, then immerse yourself as much as possible by reading, listening to music, watching TV shows, and traveling to a country where that language is spoken.

•Develop a skill. Pick up a hobby or craft you’ve always wanted to master, like playing an instrument, gardening, woodworking, or coding. Set small, achievable goals and practice consistently. Over time, you’ll gain experience and confidence in your newfound skill.

•Travel the world. Make a list of places you dream of visiting, from natural wonders to world cities. Prioritize the destinations that inspire you most and start planning your trips. Even visiting one new place a year can lead to a lifetime of unforgettable adventures.

•Get in the best shape of your life. Develop an exercise routine, improve your diet, get enough sleep, and stay hydrated. Start slowly and build up your endurance over time. Not only will you feel physically stronger, but also more confident and energetic to pursue your other life goals.

Achieving lifelong goals requires dedication and persistence over time. But by setting concrete targets, building good habits, and maintaining motivation, you absolutely can unleash your ambition and reach new heights of success and fulfillment. Start today by choosing one goal to work toward, and commit to making progress each and every day.

2. Start a Business

Starting your own business is one of the most ambitious things you can do. It’s not easy, but the rewards of being your own boss and pursuing your passion can be life-changing.

To unleash your inner entrepreneur, find a problem you’re passionate about solving. It could be something that frustrates you in your daily life or an area you have expertise in. Then, develop a solution. Test your idea by surveying potential customers to see if they would use and pay for your product or service.

If the response is positive, make a business plan. This will help you outline how you’ll finance, market and operate your business. You’ll need funding, so apply for a small business loan or line of credit, crowdfund, or tap into your own savings.

Next, take the plunge and launch! Start small if possible, maybe as a side hustle. Build your customer base through social media, search engine optimization, and word-of-mouth marketing. Provide amazing customer service. Listen to feedback and make improvements.

Growing a business takes dedication. Surround yourself with a great team. Continue innovating and adapting to changes. Learn from failures and obstacles along the way. But if you pursue your vision with passion, the rewards of entrepreneurship can be life-changing.

The path to success might not always be clear, but by unleashing your ambition and never giving up, you’ll turn your dreams into reality. Now get out there and start that business! The world is waiting for what you have to offer.

3. Learn a New Skill

Learning a new skill is a great way to challenge yourself and expand your mind. When you feel ambitious, set your sights on acquiring a skill that intrigues or inspires you.

Pick a skill that excites you

Choose a skill that sparks your interest or passion. Some ideas include:

• Learning a new language
• Learning to code
• Learning to play an instrument
• Learning a new style of dance

Picking a skill you’re genuinely excited about will make you much more motivated to put in the necessary practice time to master it.

Set concrete goals

Don’t just say you want to “learn Spanish” or “learn to play the piano.” Set specific, measurable goals to work towards, such as:

1. Learn 100 new Spanish words each week.
2. Practice piano for 30 minutes, 3 times a week.
3. Work with a tutor once a month to track your progress.

Practice consistently

No one masters a skill overnight. Consistent practice and repetition are key. Aim for practicing your new skill 3-4 times a week, even if just for 30 minutes at a time. Over time, you’ll start to see noticeable improvements in your ability and confidence.

Look for ways to apply your skill

The best way to truly learn a new skill is to start using it. Look for opportunities to speak Spanish with others, play piano at a local retirement home, show off your dance moves at a club, or build an app to put your coding skills to use. Applying your skill in real-world situations helps reinforce everything you’ve learned.

With passion, practice and persistence, you’ll be unleashing your ambition and mastering a new skill in no time. Keep at it and don’t get discouraged – you’ve got this!

4. Travel the World

Traveling the world is an ambitious goal that exposes you to new cultures, broadens your perspectives, and creates lifelong memories.

Before embarking on a trip, do some research on your desired destinations. Learn about the history, cultural norms, weather, and events. The more you know, the more you’ll appreciate your experiences. Check if any permits or visas are required for entry. Make a list of must-see attractions and plan a loose itinerary. Don’t forget to budget for transportation, accommodation, food, and activities.

Start Small and Build Up

If the idea of planning a big trip overwhelms you, start with a short getaway to a nearby city or country. Get a taste of what it’s like to navigate a new place and culture. Build up your confidence and travel skills over multiple small trips. When you’re ready, take the plunge and go for that dream destination you’ve always wanted to visit. Start with a region like Southeast Asia, South America or Europe and visit multiple countries over several weeks or months.

Travel Light and Be Flexible

Only pack essentials to avoid checking bags and make it easier to get around. Be willing to adjust your plans based on opportunities that arise. Some of the best travel experiences are unplanned. Meet fellow travelers, try local cuisine, and see where the day takes you. Embrace discomfort and challenges as part of the adventure. Not everything will go as expected, but that’s all part of the journey.

Traveling the world requires ambition, courage, and adaptability. But for those willing to take the leap of faith, the rewards of discovering our shared humanity and the beauty this planet has to offer are well worth it. Seize the opportunity to travel whenever you can—the world is waiting!

5. Help and Inspire Others

Helping and inspiring others is one of the most fulfilling ways to unleash your ambition. When you make a positive impact on people’s lives, it creates a ripple effect that spreads far and wide.

Mentor Someone

Take an active role in helping others achieve their goals by mentoring them. Offer guidance and advice to a coworker or friend looking to advance their career or start a new project. Share your experiences and lessons learned to help them avoid pitfalls and navigate challenges. Mentoring is a rewarding experience for both parties.

6. Volunteer Your Time

Donate your time and skills to a good cause in your local community. Volunteer at an animal shelter, help build homes with Habitat for Humanity, or serve meals at a food bank. Giving back not only helps those in need but also boosts your own wellbeing and life satisfaction. You’ll form new connections and relationships in the process.

7. Share Your Knowledge

If you have expertise or experience in a particular area, share it with others. Start a blog, podcast, or YouTube channel to teach people new skills and spread valuable information. Write an ebook or online course on your topic of choice. Public speaking is another great way to share your knowledge, whether at industry conferences, community events, or even TEDx talks.

8. Be an Ally and Advocate

Stand up for people who face discrimination and disadvantage. Be an ally by using your privilege to amplify voices that often go unheard. Advocate for important causes by contacting government representatives, signing petitions, protesting, or raising awareness on social media. Promote inclusion, diversity and equal rights and opportunities for all.

When you help and inspire others, you gain a sense of purpose that fuels your own ambition and motivation. Make a difference in people’s lives and unleash your potential for good.

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9. Set Bigger and Bolder Goals

To unleash your ambition, you need to set bigger and bolder goals. Playing it safe will only get you so far. ###Dream Big

What do you really want to achieve in life? Don’t limit yourself to what seems realistic or practical. Dream as big as you possibly can. Some examples of bold goals:

• Start your own business
• Write a book
• Learn to play an instrument
• Run a marathon

Break Down Big Goals into Smaller Steps

Big, ambitious goals can seem overwhelming and unattainable. The key is to break them down into smaller milestones. For example, if you want to start a business:

1. Define your business idea and vision.
2. Create a business plan.
3. Determine costs and funding needed.
4. Build your team.
5. Launch and market your new business!

Celebrate achieving each milestone to stay motivated for the next one.

Review and Revise Regularly

Revisit your goals often and make sure they still inspire and challenge you. It’s easy to get off track, so check-in to renew your motivation and commitment. You may need to adjust timelines or make changes to keep goals realistic yet ambitious.

Some of the most successful people in the world set bold goals and take big risks to achieve them. Unleash your ambition by dreaming big, breaking down goals into steps, and consistently reviewing and revising them. Don’t be afraid to fail – that’s how you learn and grow. With hard work and determination, you absolutely can achieve amazing and audacious goals. Now get out there and make it happen!

10. Develop an Unstoppable Work Ethic

To achieve your biggest dreams and ambitions, you need to develop an unstoppable work ethic. This means cultivating discipline and the ability to push through obstacles and setbacks. Here are a few tips to build your work ethic:

Start each day early

Waking up early, around 5 to 6 AM, gives you a head start on the day and allows you to get important tasks done before most people have started their day. Early risers tend to be more proactive and successful.

Have a routine

Establish a consistent morning routine to start your day off right. Things like exercising, meditating, and eating a healthy breakfast can give you energy and motivation for the day ahead. Sticking to a routine helps build discipline over time.

Set clearly defined goals

Know exactly what you want to achieve each day and week. Break down big goals into smaller milestones. Be specific about the actions you will take. Review your goals and progress regularly to stay on track.

Minimize distractions

Turn off notifications on your devices and try to avoid multitasking. Focus on one thing at a time and avoid diversions like social media or television. Find ways to immerse yourself in important work.

Take regular breaks

While developing a strong work ethic is important, it’s also important to recharge. Take short breaks every 90 minutes or so to renew your energy and motivation. Even taking short walking breaks can help you feel less burnt out and more focused.

Building an unstoppable work ethic and the discipline to achieve your goals and ambitions takes continuous practice and persistence. But by starting each day with purpose, maintaining a routine, setting clear goals, minimizing distractions, and taking regular breaks, you can cultivate the motivation and determination to accomplish amazing things.

11. Become a Master of Your Craft

To become a master of your craft, you need to dedicate yourself to constant improvement and learning. Make the commitment to keep honing your skills and expanding your knowledge over the long run.

Practice Consistently

The only way to become an expert at something is through deliberate practice. Set aside time each day to work on your craft, even if just for 30-60 minutes. Start a regular routine and stick to it. Over time, you’ll build up your skills through repetition and consistency.

Study the Work of Masters

Immerse yourself in the work of those who have mastered your craft before you. Analyze what makes their work so effective. Try to emulate the techniques and skills you admire. You can learn a lot from the trial-and-error of experts.

Get Feedback and Make Adjustments

Ask others to critique your work so you can gain valuable insight into your abilities and shortcomings. Be open to feedback and willing to make changes to improve. Receiving constructive criticism is the only way to recognize your blind spots and enhance your skills.

12. Expand Your Knowledge

Take additional courses or pursue further education and credentials in your field. Stay up-to-date with the latest tools, technologies, theories, and innovations related to your craft. The more you know, the more you realize how much you still have yet to learn. Mastery is a continual pursuit of knowledge.

Becoming a master of your craft is a lifelong endeavor. But by practicing diligently, learning from the best, improving through feedback, and expanding your knowledge over time, you can achieve a level of expertise and skill that will set you apart from the rest. Keep working at your craft, day after day, year after year, and mastery will be within your reach.

13. Continuous Self-Improvement

To unleash your ambition, you must commit to continuous self-improvement.

Read and learn constantly

• Successful people read every day to expand their knowledge. Read books, blogs, and articles on personal growth, your industry, leadership, and success.
• Take online courses to strengthen your skills. Many are free or low-cost. Stay up-to-date with trends in your field.

Reflect regularly on your goals and progress

• Review your goals and priorities each week. Are you making progress? Do you need to adjust timelines or strategies?
• Look for small wins and milestones achieved. Celebrate them to stay motivated for bigger goals.
• Consider working with a coach or mentor. They can provide guidance and accountability.

Step out of your comfort zone

• Do one thing each week that challenges you. It could be public speaking, networking, or tackling a difficult task.
• Continuous progress requires continuous effort. Complacency is the enemy of ambition. Push yourself in small ways each day.

Develop positive habits and discipline

• Successful people have disciplined routines and habits. Wake up early, plan your day, and avoid distractions.
• Start with one habit, like exercising 3 times a week or not checking email first thing. Build from there.
• Willpower and motivation are limited resources. Habits and discipline will take you further.

While it requires effort and persistence, the rewards of increased knowledge, new skills, and progress towards your biggest goals and dreams make it worthwhile. Keep learning and pushing your limits—unleash your ambition!

14. Ask for a Raise or Promotion at Work

Asking for a raise or promotion at work can be nerve-wracking, but if you’ve proven your value, you absolutely deserve to be compensated fairly. Here are some tips to build up your confidence and make a strong case:

Do your research

Find out the typical salary range and job requirements for the position you want. Check sites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. See what others with your experience and skills are making so you can determine a reasonable number to request.

Build your case

Come prepared with specific examples of your contributions and impact. For a raise, focus on how you’ve grown in your role and taken on more responsibility. For a promotion, explain how you’re already doing work at the next level and have the skills for a new title. Quantify your key wins and how they benefited the company.

Practice your pitch

Rehearse what you want to say ahead of time. Keep your request concise and confident, emphasizing your value and relevant experience. Share your well-researched salary range, but also express your desire for career growth. Discuss how a raise or promotion would further motivate you to excel in your work.

Find the right time

Request a meeting with your manager and clearly state upfront that you want to discuss your compensation or job title. Choose a time when things are less busy and they can properly focus on the conversation. Come in with a positive attitude and frame the discussion around your desire to grow with the organization.

Be professional throughout

However the discussion goes, remain professional. If you get a “no” this time, ask what you need to do to earn a raise or promotion in the future and put a plan in place. You’ve started the conversation, and with continuous hard work, your time will come. Staying positive and professional will make you look even more deserving in your manager’s eyes for next time.

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15. Creating Career Development Plan

A career development plan helps chart your course to achieve your ambitions. Creating a plan involves self-reflection to determine your goals and the steps to reach them.

Know Yourself

Identify your strengths, values, interests, and priorities. What motivates or excites you? What are you good at? The more you understand yourself, the better equipped you’ll be to pursue work you find meaningful.

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Set Goals

Define specific and measurable short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals, like learning a new skill this year, build up to bigger goals. Long-term goals, such as career advancement in 5 years, give you direction. Review and revise your goals regularly based on your needs and interests.

Develop Skills

Determine the skills and experience required to achieve your goals. Take additional courses or training to strengthen your expertise. Some skills, like communication or critical thinking, apply across jobs. Technical skills are specific to an industry or role. Continuously improving your skills will make you a strong candidate as opportunities arise.

Explore Options

Research various paths to reach your goals. If additional education is needed, explore programs and financial options. Learn about the day-to-day work involved in jobs of interest. Talk to people currently in those roles to determine if the work aligns with your goals. The more you know about the options, the better your decisions will be.

Make a Plan

Outline the steps required to achieve your goals and ambitions. Set deadlines for yourself and revisit your plan frequently to stay on track. Be flexible—your goals and priorities may change. A career development plan is a work in progress, not a fixed path. With hard work and persistence, you can achieve amazing things.

16. Stay Passionate

To stay passionate about your ambitions, you need to nurture that inner fire. Passion is what will fuel your motivation and drive to overcome obstacles in your path.

Find your “why”

Why do you want to achieve this ambition? What impact will it have? Connecting your goals to a deeper meaning or purpose will strengthen your passion and resolve. Maybe you want to build a business to positively impact your community. Or learn a new skill to inspire your children. Find your why.

17. Pursue your interests

Do things that spark your curiosity and excitement. Read books on topics that fascinate you. Take a class on something you’ve always wanted to learn. Passion is sustained by continually exploring and expanding your interests.

Celebrate small wins

Don’t just focus on the big milestones. Appreciate the small achievements and steps along the way. Give yourself rewards and reinforcement to stay motivated for the next challenge. Passion is nurtured through progress and momentum.

Surround yourself with a support system

Spend time with others who share your ambitions and passions. Their enthusiasm and encouragement will help reinvigorate your own. Join online communities or networking groups to find your tribe.

Take action daily

Do something each day, no matter how small, that moves you closer to your ambition. Take one step, complete one task, make one phone call. Momentum builds on itself, and passion is sustained through action and forward progress. Even when you don’t feel motivated, just get started. Passion will follow.

Staying passionate requires effort and intention. But by continually stoking your inner fire, you’ll have the energy and motivation to turn your ambitions into reality. Success is rarely achieved overnight—but by nurturing your passion each and every day, you’ll unleash your ambition and persevere until you achieve your goals.

Who are some famous ambitious individuals?

Here are some examples of ambitious individuals and their success stories for your personal and career aspirations.

1. The ambition of Elon Musk

Elon Musk is the real-life Iron Man. His ambition and vision seem limitless.

• Musk co-founded PayPal, which revolutionized online payments. But he didn’t stop there.
• Musk started SpaceX to make life multi-planetary. SpaceX has already made history by becoming the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station. They’re currently developing a massive rocket called Starship to eventually transport people to Mars.
• Musk also founded Tesla Motors to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Tesla produces affordable electric vehicles and renewable energy products.
• Musk’s latest ambitious project is Neuralink, a neurotechnology company developing ultra-high-bandwidth brain-machine interfaces. The goal is to help humans keep up with advanced AI.

Musk is an inspiration. His ambition and perseverance show what humans can achieve when we dare to dream big. If you have a vision for changing the world, don’t doubt yourself. Get started and stay determined. You, too, can achieve ambitious things.

2. How Oprah Winfrey rose from poverty to build an empire

Oprah Winfrey grew up in poverty, but through hard work and determination, she built an empire and became the first black multi-billionaire woman in North America.

Oprah was born to a poor single mother in Mississippi. She had a difficult childhood, marked by abuse and hardship. At age 14, she moved to Nashville to live with her father, who encouraged her love of learning and speaking.

Oprah won a full scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she studied communications. At 19, she became the youngest and first black female news anchor at a Nashville radio station. She was then recruited to co-host a low-rated, flailing Baltimore talk show called People Are Talking.

Oprah turned the show into a hit and was soon offered her show. The Oprah Winfrey Show ran for 25 seasons, making Oprah a household name and brand. She used her fame and fortune to promote education, empowerment, and self-improvement.

Through her Harpo productions, Oprah started O Magazine, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) cable channel, and Oprah.com. She’s also an Academy Award-nominated actress and philanthropist.

Oprah’s story shows what one person can achieve through passion, hard work, and dedication to helping others. She turned adversity into ambition and built an empire by empowering people to live their best lives. What an inspiration!

3. The determination of J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling’s journey to becoming the renowned author of the Harry Potter series is a prime example of ambition and determination against all odds.

As a single mother living on welfare in Edinburgh, Scotland, Rowling first conceived the idea for the Harry Potter series in 1990. She spent the next five years meticulously planning and writing the first novel while struggling with depression and poverty. Facing rejection from 12 major publishers, she finally got a deal with Bloomsbury Publishing in 1996.

The determination Rowling showed in the face of rejection and hardship is inspiring. She was devoted to her vision and persevered when others doubted her. Her ambition and belief in her work ultimately paid off, launching one of the most successful book and film franchises in history. Rowling’s story serves as a reminder that ambition and determination can lead to amazing things.

4. The vision of Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs had an ambitious vision for technology that shaped the world. As CEO of Apple, Jobs introduced revolutionary products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad that transformed entire industries.

Jobs was never satisfied with the status quo. He pushed his teams to develop devices people didn’t even know they needed yet. His vision and perfectionism built Apple into the most valuable company in the world.

Though his unconventional leadership style was controversial, no one could deny Jobs’ ambition and vision. He proved that following your passion and thinking differently can unleash tremendous innovation. Jobs’ lasting impact on technology and design will inspire generations to come.

5. The Courage of Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a shining example of ambition and courage. As a young girl growing up in Pakistan, Malala spoke out publicly against the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education. At just 15 years old, she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in an assassination attempt in retaliation for her activism.

Malala survived the attack and went on to become the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. Her ambition to fight for girls’ education and women’s rights in the face of unimaginable adversity has inspired people around the world.

Despite threats to her life, Malala continues to spread her message of hope, empowerment, and equality. Her story is a reminder that ambition knows no limits when fueled by passion and purpose. One person can change the world.

6. The Dedication of Simone Biles: An Ambitious Gymnast

Simone Biles is the most decorated American gymnast, with 25 World Championship medals and seven Olympic medals. Her ambition and dedication are truly inspiring.

At just 16, Simone was already an Olympic gold medalist. But she didn’t stop there. She went on to win four more golds and a bronze in Rio, cementing her status as the world’s best gymnast. Her gravity-defying skills and energetic style of gymnastics have revolutionized the sport.

Simone continues to push boundaries. After taking time off to focus on her mental health, she returned to competition in 2021, debuting two skills so difficult they were named after her. Her ambition knows no limits.

Through hard work and perseverance, Simone has achieved more than any gymnast in history. She is a shining example of what ambition and dedication can accomplish.

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Final Thought

Now it’s your turn. What are you waiting for? Stop making excuses and start taking action. Dig deep and reconnect with your ambitions and passions. The world needs your talents, skills, and gifts. Unleash your ambition and get to work making your vision a reality. You have so much potential, and there are people out there waiting to support you. Believe in yourself, take that first step, and don’t look back. You’ve got this! Now go out there and show the world what you’re made of. The future is yours to create.

References

• Ambition: The Secret Passion by Joseph Epstein
• Six Habits Of Ambitious People by STEPHANIE VOZZA published in The Company
• Biographies from Wikipedia the free  encyclopedia