There's a sign in the gym I go to that has the definition of ambition printed on it: A strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.
Every time I'm sitting at this specific machine, doing one of the exercises I dislike the most, I see this sign. At this point in my workout I am absolutely exhausted, but for some reason, each time I read it I feel this little push as I recall my favorite quote of all time: Hell on earth would be to meet the man you could have been.
I love this quote because it takes away the first thing all of us do when we're trying to judge our performance - we compare ourselves to others. Instead, it focuses on one single person: You.
What would the best version of you be doing right now?
This slight change in perspective, in some circumstances, will make you resent 'best' you, because they just do everything right, don't they?
But that's what's so beautiful about it - they do all the things you know deep down you are capable of doing yourself. And when you realize that, you discover how capable you really are.
It's easy to apply this to things like personal health, but I like to use it in every part of my life. How would 'best me' respond to my struggles, my pain, my anxiety or my loss?
You see, ambition is not just about health or wealth - it's about holding all aspects of your life in higher regard and knowing, deep down, that you are capable of great things.
That's my hope for you, as you start 2025. That you use this amazing little hug for your wrist as a reminder of just how capable (and similar) the real you is with the 'best' you.
