I know I can wrestle with that inner voice too. It may come down to whether you have grown enough internally to genuinely want to make a difference outwardly.
Greed and obfuscation seem to be the only order of the day when it comes to some rich and powerful individuals all over the unsettled world at the moment.
I like reading to refresh my mind wrt situations going down world wide.
My own beloved country has the same problem, mostly because of politicians enriching themselves at the expense of health and safety, and train , and bus, and electricity and water and food services.
Go figure?
It’s the same old, same old blah blah blah since time immemorial.
I’m 63, and I’m so tired that ordinary people are struggling and suffering as the rich and powerful get richer and more powerful, while everyone else gets fewer services and poorer in pocket and job opportunities.
I appreciate you mentioning how you have found yourself in greedy moments and trying not to judge others. I think we are meant to have the full range of emotions as humans, and knowing greed is critical to being able to choose something else.
And the fact that we are hardwired to survive as humans and that money is intrinsically tied to survival, it also makes sense why people accumulate. Doesn't make it right, but it helps with the judgment!
I also wonder if ambition can often be a mask to cover internal lack and insecurity.
The "I'm not good enough" trap left unchecked can turn into "it's never enough."
My question is whether, without ambition, will things still get done?
I'd like to think that there's a deeper drive to move, to serve, to help the world and the human family that comes from wholness and enoughness, but most people (myself included) don't peel back the onion layers enough to access it.
It reminds me of a quote by Lao Tzu: "Nature never hurries, yet everything gets done."
Greed is clearly a selfish act, but I also wonder if ambition can also be motivated by lack. It's just more socially acceptable.
‘I also wonder if ambition can also be motivated by lack. It's just more socially acceptable.’ This is it! And it causes burnout or wavering by impact driven entrepreneurs because they’re wearing themselves down despite creating positive change for others!
I think today's creator economy are choosing the hybrid intent as their creative ambition help them to serve people and also fill the pocket at the same time. Greed is the part of human nature, but the voice is ambition should be louder than greed. Initially we off course drive for our monetary growth because we can't fill other cups when we are empty. The path is to establish the guiding principle values of life which keep directing you when you took the side track
Greedy people can also be ambitious. Ambitious people can also be greedy. I don’t think it’s necessarily about ambition vs. greed. It’s more about mission/purpose. About what drives our actions. Ambition without a purpose behind it is empty and unsustainable. So greed can often become the fuel for ambition.
But that’s not even the most interesting part. I think it gets really interesting when you take a closer look at how emotions like greed actually work.
The downside of greed is pretty clear: it’s when we try to fill an empty space inside and often end up acting badly because of it. But the real issue isn’t about personal gain. It’s about figuring out what to fill the empty space with.
Because what if you filled that empty space with something that truly makes you happy? Your goal is still personal gain. But a byproduct of real happiness is that you naturally want to share it with others. As a result, you start creating value that didn’t exist before. And in this case, "greedy" people end up serving others. So, if you change one variable in greed, it also turns into a positive force.
One professional advantage I have over many of my friends who make way more money than me is that I love what I do. I genuinely believe I am improving the world through what I have created.
However, because I have created something that fast tracks success for a somewhat marginalized group, other people in adjacent fields feel threatened by this and describe me as “unethical” and “risky”.
I know that what I am doing not only benefits those who I help, but also the clients they serve, multiplying the positive impact.
It can be hard to be criticized, but it seems necessary if I am to remain aligned with my core beliefs.
I think you can only aim to serve others or to make the world a better place when you have already sorted out your internal battles. Till then it's all about money and the imaginative fulfillment it gives you.
Wow. This really highlights the effect money has on human drive and purpose, and the importance of understanding that. Personally, I think money, at its core, is like fuel for a car. It’s necessary. It powers movement. It keeps the engine of our lives running. But no one confuses the gas station with the destination. So I don’t think that we shouldn’t strive for money. Being completely honest it lets us be able to make a bigger impact and live happier lives. But money shouldn’t be the main driving factor. If anyone has a different opinion I would love to hear it! 😁
This was great! It truly motivates me to instill a frequent "gut check" to ensure I don't veer off course from what truly matters -- providing value to others.
I think as humans we can sway between one, the other, or both at the same time, because most of us are decent and want to help/serve, but at the same time have our own security/stability/income in mind. The issue becomes when we sway and stay too far over to the greed side of the scale. I think it's hard to see a life of peace, happiness and satisfaction from that side.
Intent is the differentiator. Always be clear on yours.
That's right, brother.
I know I can wrestle with that inner voice too. It may come down to whether you have grown enough internally to genuinely want to make a difference outwardly.
Bingo. Thanks for sharing, Amanda.
Mission drives meaning.
Without it, ambition starts to rot into greed.
So true, Godfrey.
Greed and obfuscation seem to be the only order of the day when it comes to some rich and powerful individuals all over the unsettled world at the moment.
I like reading to refresh my mind wrt situations going down world wide.
My own beloved country has the same problem, mostly because of politicians enriching themselves at the expense of health and safety, and train , and bus, and electricity and water and food services.
Go figure?
It’s the same old, same old blah blah blah since time immemorial.
I’m 63, and I’m so tired that ordinary people are struggling and suffering as the rich and powerful get richer and more powerful, while everyone else gets fewer services and poorer in pocket and job opportunities.
💙
I appreciate you mentioning how you have found yourself in greedy moments and trying not to judge others. I think we are meant to have the full range of emotions as humans, and knowing greed is critical to being able to choose something else.
And the fact that we are hardwired to survive as humans and that money is intrinsically tied to survival, it also makes sense why people accumulate. Doesn't make it right, but it helps with the judgment!
Ben Fox! what's up my dude!? nice to see you here
Mr. Ginsburg! Small world. Let's catch up soon!
Great distinction.
I also wonder if ambition can often be a mask to cover internal lack and insecurity.
The "I'm not good enough" trap left unchecked can turn into "it's never enough."
My question is whether, without ambition, will things still get done?
I'd like to think that there's a deeper drive to move, to serve, to help the world and the human family that comes from wholness and enoughness, but most people (myself included) don't peel back the onion layers enough to access it.
It reminds me of a quote by Lao Tzu: "Nature never hurries, yet everything gets done."
Greed is clearly a selfish act, but I also wonder if ambition can also be motivated by lack. It's just more socially acceptable.
‘I also wonder if ambition can also be motivated by lack. It's just more socially acceptable.’ This is it! And it causes burnout or wavering by impact driven entrepreneurs because they’re wearing themselves down despite creating positive change for others!
yes, well put :) and thanks for the reply
I think today's creator economy are choosing the hybrid intent as their creative ambition help them to serve people and also fill the pocket at the same time. Greed is the part of human nature, but the voice is ambition should be louder than greed. Initially we off course drive for our monetary growth because we can't fill other cups when we are empty. The path is to establish the guiding principle values of life which keep directing you when you took the side track
Greedy people can also be ambitious. Ambitious people can also be greedy. I don’t think it’s necessarily about ambition vs. greed. It’s more about mission/purpose. About what drives our actions. Ambition without a purpose behind it is empty and unsustainable. So greed can often become the fuel for ambition.
But that’s not even the most interesting part. I think it gets really interesting when you take a closer look at how emotions like greed actually work.
The downside of greed is pretty clear: it’s when we try to fill an empty space inside and often end up acting badly because of it. But the real issue isn’t about personal gain. It’s about figuring out what to fill the empty space with.
Because what if you filled that empty space with something that truly makes you happy? Your goal is still personal gain. But a byproduct of real happiness is that you naturally want to share it with others. As a result, you start creating value that didn’t exist before. And in this case, "greedy" people end up serving others. So, if you change one variable in greed, it also turns into a positive force.
I agree Justin.
The most ambitious people are not driven by financial reward.
They would work even if they did not get paid.
Their work is an extension of who they are, more than it is what they do.
One professional advantage I have over many of my friends who make way more money than me is that I love what I do. I genuinely believe I am improving the world through what I have created.
However, because I have created something that fast tracks success for a somewhat marginalized group, other people in adjacent fields feel threatened by this and describe me as “unethical” and “risky”.
I know that what I am doing not only benefits those who I help, but also the clients they serve, multiplying the positive impact.
It can be hard to be criticized, but it seems necessary if I am to remain aligned with my core beliefs.
I think you can only aim to serve others or to make the world a better place when you have already sorted out your internal battles. Till then it's all about money and the imaginative fulfillment it gives you.
Wow. This really highlights the effect money has on human drive and purpose, and the importance of understanding that. Personally, I think money, at its core, is like fuel for a car. It’s necessary. It powers movement. It keeps the engine of our lives running. But no one confuses the gas station with the destination. So I don’t think that we shouldn’t strive for money. Being completely honest it lets us be able to make a bigger impact and live happier lives. But money shouldn’t be the main driving factor. If anyone has a different opinion I would love to hear it! 😁
This was a good reminder to ask myself this question today… sometimes it’s easy to lose the real “why” behind it all
preach.
This was great! It truly motivates me to instill a frequent "gut check" to ensure I don't veer off course from what truly matters -- providing value to others.
I think as humans we can sway between one, the other, or both at the same time, because most of us are decent and want to help/serve, but at the same time have our own security/stability/income in mind. The issue becomes when we sway and stay too far over to the greed side of the scale. I think it's hard to see a life of peace, happiness and satisfaction from that side.