In actuality, beneath this surface of all willpower lies a powerful, often brutal and ignored force. This is subconscious ambition. Science continues to prove that these silent ambitions within us all can be, and often are, very different from the commonly recognized and discussed conscious ambition. Subconscious ambition pulls hidden strings like a mysterious, back-seat-driving gremlin with reactions being dependent on the environment, scenario, or situation.
Subconscious ambition is a silent impulse that frames our choices, fuels our fears, and nudges us subtly in directions we might not consciously want to go. Yep, while we are busy making lists and crushing our conscious goals, our subconscious is planting little seeds of “what ifs” and “maybe nots”, silently nudging us in directions we, more often than not, do not consciously realize. Until we do, that is.
Conscious ambition can be likened to a coach with a detailed and rehearsed playbook. Subconscious ambition, on the other hand, is more of a scrappy player. One who can turn rogue in an instant and without warning throwing curveballs; spiking adrenaline and self doubt, instantaneously. While conscious ambition is deliberate and directed, subconscious ambition operates through deeply buried beliefs, biases, and instinctive reactions, creating a complex and nuanced interplay between what we think we want and what our minds have already decided for us.
Here we will discusses this stranger in the basement of the psyche. The one that pulls hidden strings with the grace and precision of a mischievous and well-rehearsed puppeteer. This, my friends, is subconscious ambition. While it is not as structured or presentable as its conscious cousin, it can be far more potent through its mid-day whisperings, rebellious nudges, and midnight epiphanies.
WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE, UNMADE, AND OCCASIONALLY SPILLED LIKE A RED WINE ON A WHITE CARPET.
Ambition is a peculiar little critter. It is not a simple itch that produces a scratch to “arrive somewhere or achieve something”. It is a complex system of pulses that guide our life, driving the very choices that shape not only our individual environment, but collectively, the world. In a world teetering on the edge of too-muchness, ambition can be both saving grace and achilles’ heel at the exact same time.
Ambition, now more than ever, is no solo act. On the surface, it is that chatty beast of our mind, parading around with lists, five-year goals, and caffeinated pep-talks all while shaking hands, working out, and meditating. This is ambition as the vast majority of the world recognizes it today.
Just beneath this polished exterior, however, lies an unruly, feral layer of systems that could not care less about color-coded spreadsheets, career/dating coaches, or retreats that allow you to touch your inner self on a more intimate level. This is the realm of subconscious ambition. Here motivations do not march in straight, defined lines. Here, they ripple savagely like whispers in a jazz club at midnight. Silent, yet profound and loud.
While conscious ambition chants manifestations and plots our next conquest with the smug confidence of a GPS with real-time signal, our subconscious quietly orchestrates a far more mysterious and dynamic journey. Reality check is; these two forces are most often polar opposites of the other. One a disciplined gardener, the other a wild vine-tangled, intertwined with seemingly every plant in the garden. That sneaky little saboteur.
The result? A fascinating dance between what we “think” we want and the instinctual desires that call us from the shadows, just beyond our own awareness. In the world of ambition, the conscious mind is a the boss, the star of the show. The well groomed hero who firmly believes and swears they know what they want and how to achieve it.
Then just when all is sorted, subconscious ambition shows up uninvited to the party and silently mutters “well, actually…riddle me this…what about…”. Observing the ever-changing dynamics of these two opposing forces is similar to translating a new language. Sometimes it is elegant but most often attempts are initially clumsy. Until they aren’t.
CONSCIOUS AMBITION. THE BOLD NAVIGATOR
Ambition means something different to everyone and apparently every dictionary. Definitions of ambition range as much as they depend on the source. For instance:
- The Cambridge Dictionary defines ambition as; “a strong wish to achieve something.”
- Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary states that ambition is an “ardent desire for rank, fame, or power.”
- Collins Dictionary posits that ambition is “the desire to be successful, rich, or powerful.”
Conscious ambition is what we “know". It is what we thoughtfully decide. It is the plan we make, the to-do list we craft, and the vision board we pin with photographs of sun-dappled beaches, spotless desk setups, or organization strategies. Conscious ambition is our best friend and favorite coach, providing both structure and faith in the unknown while providing us a route from point A to point B.
This dimension of ambition is the “logical” voice in our head that pushes us to go for that promotion, sign up for a marathon, or pursue a business idea. Conscious ambition typically feeds on clarity, intention, and action plans. Once aware, root conscious ambition models are easily recognized.
It is the part of you that smiles every Monday morning (or at least pretends to) and says, “This week, I’m definitely going to …” and then proceeds to believes it. Conscious ambition speaks in bold fonts, sends email follow-ups, and measures progress in tidy bullet points. Even with all its self-assured posturing, conscious ambition has its limitations. It is often bound by what we “think” or “know” we want.
External in nature, these aspirations are most often influenced by social standards, expectations, and misunderstood assumptions we make about our own happiness. Conscious ambition can also be a little bossy and a tad rigid. This is where its barefoot subconscious and often distant relatives come to play.
SUBCONSCIOUS AMBITION: THE QUIET INSTIGATOR
While conscious ambition swags around in its starched shirt and suit, its subliminal counterpart is more of a night owl, wrapped in its own rhythm. It does not concern itself with the structures of logic or reality. Time holds no value. It operates on impulses, gut feelings, and fragments of memories and desires collected along the way. Some with no apparent conscious connection. This hidden spectrum of ambition collects all of the dreams, desires, and fears buried within our minds over time and decides when it is time to shake them into a bizarre cocktail. Often serving them up whenever it determines is best.
Subconscious ambition is messy, unpredictable, and extremely powerful. It is the reason you may find yourself inexplicably drawn to certain ideas, follow specific paths, or why you may feel a tug of reluctance over something that appears perfectly normal to everyone else on paper. In this human dimension, creativity is unconstricted by the walls of rationality. Subconscious ambition does not ask for permission or seek approval. It simply “acts” on what it “wants”.
It can instantaneously ignite or extinguish a desire for freedom, adventure, and meaning. In this way, subconscious ambition is both our shadow and our muse. Pulling things together that may consciously seem irrational or impractical but often have a strange unexplainable, yet potentially strategic pull. It is a deeper echelon, full of motivations that don’t always make sense on the conscious surface. Until they do.
THE PUSH AND PULL OF BOLD INTENTIONS AND HIDDEN DESIRES
The interaction between conscious and subconscious ambition is dynamic and ever changing. This is true even as we sleep. Sometimes these signals are in harmony, seamlessly melding into one. Imagine setting a conscious goal, such as writing a book. Subconscious ambition systems begin firing. They are extremely malleable and creative. They thrive on expression, storytelling, and the chance to dig into untamed ideas. In this case, the conscious and subconscious are aligned. Converging to create a powerful, unstoppable force.
While this is a beautiful picture, the reality for many is that more often than one would expect, conscious and subliminal ambitions clash. For instance, many set a goal of “climbing the corporate ladder”. Consciously one may think that it is the right move for a secure and planned future. Deep down, however, your subconscious could be screaming for more freedom, longing for the potential of increased spontaneity and craving self-expression.
For example, the time comes. You decide. This is it. Write the book. You dig in, work hard, and continue to put in the hours. But something feels off. You begin to hesitate. This tension isn’t laziness or lack of commitment. This just may be your subconscious dimension raising its hand and saying, Excuse me…but this isn’t really what “we” wanted or “don’t we want this…instead”. Another good one is “The deadline is next week, no urgency yet”.
While these clashes can often feel confusing, even frustrating, they also serve as valuable flags, revealing insights into what you truly desire in that gooey center. Identifying and mitigating the clashing of these instinctual desires, can be easily and quickly addressed. That is, if you know where to look.
WHEN THE PHANTOM LEADS
Sometimes, subconscious ambition doesn’t just tug gently at our sleeves. Sometimes, it hijacks the wheel and takes us on a wild detour. Have you ever found yourself passionately diving into a new project or hobby and buying all the things, only to realize you’re not sure why you started it in the first place? Or suddenly feeling the urge to move to another country, change careers, or make a drastic life shift? While these may be extreme examples, that just may be your subconscious ambition taking the reins and using its spurs.
This type of ambition isn’t always logical or even easy to explain. It can be rooted in deeper, fundamental motivations—perhaps a need for personal growth, a desire for adventure, or even a need to break free from something or someone that’s stifling you. The subconscious doesn’t deal in straight lines; it deals in symbols, archetypes, and raw emotions.
While these impulsive shifts can be unsettling at their core, they can also be highly enlightening above the surface. Subconscious ambition has a way of breaking down the barriers we put up around ourselves. It is not concerned with appearances or even practicality. It wants what it wants, and sometimes it takes drastic measures to make us listen.
DANCING WITH DUAL AMBITIONS
How do we navigate this delicately silent tango between conscious and subconscious ambition? Is it possible to create harmony where both voices are heard?
A first step in objective awareness, is to recognize that we have both conscious and subconscious ambitions and that they each serve a different purpose. The conscious mind provides direction and clarity, while the subconscious offers depth and insight. By tuning in to both dimensions objectively, you can begin to harness the energies attached to both convergences and collisions; further aligning your goals with your core desires.
One commonly recognized way to bridge the gap and that tends to work for virtually every human are self-reflection or mindfulness practices. After all, one of the best places to begin navigating toward our gooey center is to ask Could ‘this’ possibly be igniting or extinguishing a deeper desire? A closer look just may uncover motivations that often are not consciously obvious at first.
For example, a goal of getting a promotion or pioneering an uncharted entrepreneurial landscape may actually be rooted in a simpler, yet subliminal and fundamental desire or directive to obtain recognition, freedom, and/or respect. This can be based on a varying combination of contextual reasons. Understanding root nuances can direct sustainable pursuit of a goal in a way that truly satisfies both dimensions and roots of ambitious drive. Now that convergence, my friends, is fire.
Another approach may be to consciously embrace spontaneity. Simple actions such as taking an alternate route home or surprising a friend can instantly shift subliminal focus toward trusting your instincts or cultivating a playful spirit. Conscious ambition often requires planning.
Subconscious ambition thrives on intuition. The conscious practice of allowing yourself a unique freedom does not mean abandoning structure. Rather, expanding and creating new space for your subconscious to focus on and provide stimuli from. Here it highlights, translates, processes, and provides new stimuli to its conscious cousin.
THE ENDLESS SWAY
Ultimately, ambition is not a straight line from A to B. It is a winding path, shaped by both our conscious goals and our subconscious desires. By objectively acknowledging and honoring both, we can create a richer, more fulfilling, and joyful existence. One that authentically reflects the full spectrum of who we are as unique, beautiful, and ever-changing individuals.
In the end, conscious ambition and subconscious ambition are two sides of the same coin, each with its own strengths and quirks. One provides direction, the other depth. One wears a custom suit with wingtips, the other dances barefoot in jeans. Together, they form a brutally beautiful partnership as complex and colorful as we are; filling our lives with purpose, surprise, and the occasional midnight epiphany.
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