Ambition versus wellbeing: Can you have it all?
For many of us, ambition is what drives us forward and keeps us motivated, but what happens when that same ambition has a negative effect on our wellbeing? It’s a question that comes up time and again: Can you truly pursue your professional goals without sacrificing your health, happiness and balance? In our drive to succeed are we tripping ourselves up?
Why ambition matters
Ambition often gets a bad reputation, but it can be a hugely positive force. It encourages us to step outside our comfort zone, learn new skills and work towards roles and projects that excite us.
In the workplace, ambitious employees are often the ones who: take initiative and drive results, seek out learning and development opportunities, bring fresh energy and ideas to the team and aim for promotions and leadership roles.
Ambition helps businesses grow and it helps individuals feel fulfilled by progress.
When ambition goes too far
The challenge is when ambition starts to overshadow everything else. Overworking, skipping breaks and constantly feeling ‘on’ might feel like the price of success, but over time this can lead to burnout and chronic stress, declining physical and mental health, strained personal relationships and lower productivity and creativity
In short: unchecked ambition can harm the very career it was meant to support.
Can you have it all?
The good news? Wellbeing and ambition aren’t opposites, they’re partners. Prioritising your wellbeing doesn’t mean giving up your drive to achieve more. It means making ambition sustainable. Here’s how:
- Set healthy boundaries
Define clear working hours, learn to say no when necessary and protect time for rest and personal life. - Redefine success
Rather than measuring success purely by titles or salary, think about the impact you make, the skills you build and the balance you keep. - Build supportive habits
Regular exercise, proper sleep, mindful breaks and time away from screens all contribute to resilience and long-term performance. - Communicate openly
If your workload feels overwhelming, speak to your manager or HR team. Honest conversations can lead to solutions like flexible working or task reprioritisation. - Use available resources
Many companies now offer wellbeing programmes, mental health support, and learning opportunities that help employees thrive without burning out.
A shared responsibility
Balancing wellbeing and ambition is something employers need to actively support. We see every day how businesses that foster healthy ambition tend to attract and retain talented people who feel motivated, valued and well supported.
That means creating a culture where it’s okay to take a break, ask for help and talk openly about wellbeing, without fear it will be seen as a lack of ambition.
Ambition is a wonderful thing, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your wellbeing. By recognising the warning signs and making conscious choices, it is possible to build a career that’s both successful and sustainable.
So, can you have it all? Maybe not everything all at once, but you can absolutely have both ambition and wellbeing, working together to help you achieve your goals and enjoy the journey along the way.
