Are ambition and drive the same thing?

Ambition and drive, at their core, are two different concepts.  Ambition refers to the desire to achieve what one would individually define as “success.”  Meanwhile, the drive is the internal push or effort that one uses in accomplishing long-term goals.  The two of these concepts oftentimes go hand-in-hand when discussing the achievement of long-term goals. When someone has both ambition and drive, the likelihood that they will achieve what they perceive as “success” significantly goes up!

However, ambition and drive do not always happen simultaneously. There are situations where someone might experience bouts of ambition but lack drive or motivation (the willingness to achieve goals). One situation where this inconsistency exists is in mood and mental health diagnoses. Diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar-related disorders can result in a person feeling “down,” lethargic, or lacking in the initial motivation required to complete daily tasks.

Just because someone experiences these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that they will lack ambition. People might still have the internal desire for better things or for perceived success. However, experiencing a lack of energy or decrease in motivation can cause issues with setting daily, simple, short-term goals let alone the long-term ones associated with having “drive.”

Another concept that often times interferes with one’s ability to access the internal drive needed to follow through with one ambition is executive functioning. This refers to the set of skills that everyone needs in order to complete daily, necessary tasks. When someone is experiencing what is referred to as “executive dysfunction,” they might have difficulty in accessing the necessary problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, and organizational/planning skills associated with the drive to achieve one’s ambitions.

Both of the above circumstances are not the “fault” or a reflection of the “failings” of the individual. Everyone is different in how they move about the world, what they deal with, and the steps that they take to resolve their issues or cope with daily stressors. Oftentimes, there can be a very narrow view of how to teach different people executive functioning or coping skills that might be necessary for accessing the internal drive. Speaking with a professional or reaching out for help during times when someone is experiencing a lack of drive or even ambition might be the first step in learning how to personally develop these skills to fit individual needs or learning styles and allow individuals to begin setting and meeting their goals.