Aspiration and ambition are often conflated but understanding the distinction—and the interplay—between these two forces can be the key to a fulfilling life.

Aspiration is purpose-driven. It’s about the person you want to become, the values you want to embody, and the impact you want to have on the world. When you aspire, you’re not just setting goals; you’re envisioning a better version of yourself and a better world around you.

Your grandmother and I shared many grand aspirations: raising wonderful children, nurturing a loving marriage, and living as godly people. We envisioned providing our kids with a solid education and the opportunities they needed to succeed. We wanted to be good role models, instilling values that would guide them throughout their lives. Beyond our family, we aspired to help others, empowering them to launch businesses that could transform their lives and create positive change in their communities. And we wanted to eradicate the world of hungry kids (still working on that one).

I knew that in order to reach these aspirations we needed money.  It’s hard to be broke and do these things.  Money isn’t bad.  God didn’t way “money is the root of all evil” he said “the love of money is the root of all evil.”  So my ambition was to earn enough money to make our aspirations come true. 

Let’s take a specific example of your grandmother Cookie as an example. When she reached her lifelong financial goals around the age of 58 she founded the Gene’s Nourish to Flourish Foundation, named after her father, who grew up in poverty and sometimes went hungry. Cookie’s aspiration is not merely to donate money; it’s to feed thousands of children under 12 so they have the nutrition necessary to succeed in life and school. She understands that when kids are “hangry,” their ability to learn diminishes, and their behavior can suffer. Imagine if that was your daily routine—how could you possibly thrive?

Rather than simply writing checks for visibility or recognition, Cookie works closely with Kids Food Basket, providing consistent meals to hundreds of children every single day. Her donations are anonymous; she doesn’t seek accolades or her name on a building. For her, it’s about the impact—the knowledge that her efforts are helping break the cycle of hunger and its associated challenges.

Here’s where it gets interesting: aspiration without ambition can lead to unfulfilled potential. You might have noble intentions, but without the drive to set and achieve concrete goals, your aspirations may remain just that—aspirations. Ambitious goals can be the stepping-stones that lead you towards your aspirational self.

Conversely, ambition without aspiration is a fool’s errand.  Think about The Scrooge. Ambitious yet he aspired to do nothing good. You might achieve your goals, but to what end? This is where many high-achievers find themselves trapped in an unfulfilling cycle of “what’s next?” They climb one mountain only to immediately set their sights on a higher peak, never feeling truly satisfied.

So here’s a formula to consider:

Meaningful Success = (Aspiration × Ambition) / Ego

Let’s break this down:

1. Aspiration provides the direction, the “why” behind your actions.
2. Ambition provides the drive, the “how” to achieve your aspirations.
3. Ego, when unchecked, can derail both. It’s the divisor in our equation because it can diminish the value of your achievements if it grows too large.

Let’s go back to the example of Cookie.  If she had these great aspirations to feed hungry kids but didn’t have ambition to make our business successful, she wouldn’t have had the money to feed kids.  You see?  And if she had ambition to own a successful business but had no aspirations, she would have bought some fancy cars and went to fancy country clubs and would have lived an unfulfilled life. 

When aspiration and ambition are in balance, and ego is kept in check, you create a powerful formula for meaningful success. Your ambitious goals become stepping-stones towards your aspirational self, each achievement bringing you closer to the person you want to be and the impact you want to have.

This balance allows you to celebrate your achievements without becoming overly attached to them. You can be proud of the mountains you’ve climbed, but you’re more focused on how those achievements have shaped you and impacted others.

In practice, this might look like setting ambitious career goals, not just for personal gain, but as a means to create positive change in your industry. Or pursuing academic excellence, not for the grades themselves, but for the knowledge and skills that will allow you to make a bigger difference in the world.

Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate ambition—it’s a vital force. The key is to ensure your ambitions are in service of your aspirations. Let your aspirations be your North Star, guiding your ambitious pursuits towards a life of purpose and fulfillment.

By cultivating this balance, you can avoid the trap of hollow achievements and instead create a life rich with meaning, impact, and personal growth. That’s the true essence of success—not just achieving but becoming.