I was reading an article today about 10 traits of ‘unattractive people.’ Number one on the list (and the only trait I happen to possess) is being unambitious. Maybe the algorithm is listening, but lately, I’ve been really contemplating this idea of ambition.

First thing first, I don’t reject those who have ambitions to do strive for MORE. More power to you. I do think that a lot of people are cap when then they say that they are ambitious though. Many do a lot of “talking” about what they want or what they will do, but few actually go out and do them. A truly ambitious person goes out and gets what they want and doesn’t really do too much talking about it, except in retrospect.

Another disclaimer is that I don’t condone being lazy or unproductive at all. I mean you have to support yourself and when you have a regular job, I think you should strive to bring value to that position by being competent at it and actually doing the work.

But that being said, I suppose that I am content where I am. The reason I’ve been contemplating it lately is because it seems that I didn’t get the memo as to why it’s such an important/attractive trait. What are they really striving for….i mean what if luxury and fancy trips, cars, clothes, vacations, or abundant wealth isn’t my priority. Sure I’d take them if handed to me….or if I had a clear path to get those things. If the opportunity fell out of the sky and landed in my lap, sure I’d work to achieve those things. But as it stands now, I’m pretty happy.

I’ve never been impressed with people just because they hold a fancy title, position, clout, lots of money, or material things. I’m happy for them if they’re happy. Whether they worked hard for them or not, it’s still not my concern. It’s nice, but again, not my priority in life. They can’t take those things with them when they die. They could also lose them tomorrow. Building a legacy is cool if that’s what you’re motivated to do, but again, you can’t take it with you. I don’t think they are better or more capable than me, I just think that most times, their unique life’s paths put them in position to make it clear to them what could happen.

I don’t believe that for example….if Floyd Mayweather wasn’t born to a family of boxers in the vicinity of a boxing gym that he’d be Money Mayweather. Best case scenario, he’d probably been a warehouse worker or worked at the post office or something. If he didn’t get caught up in the streets (if he was raised in the hood or something), he probably would be a regular guy. Not to take anything from his work ethic in the gym….let’s be clear, he did put in the work. But he was put in a position with a clear path where he could focus and put in that work. It seems that his destiny/path was almost chosen for him. No hate or shade, but it is what it is. You could say the same for most bigillionaires, famous rappers or athletes. This idea of ‘getting it out the mud’ on their own seems to boil down to positioning and luck. The hard work was also necessary, but having the path laid out already were most crucial in his success. Even successful folks who didn’t have a clear path seems to have ‘stumbled’ onto it somehow. How many hard working, successful, rappers, athletes, and businessmen don’t make it. How many ‘successful’ people got lucky. Just saying. It almost seems like fate. But again, hard work is usually important either way though.

There is something about the consumerist, keeping up with the Jones’ mentality that turns me off. The look at me, I’m a special snowflake and deserve recognition or an award because I make a lot of money never sat too well with me. If you have a passion that can make money, by all means go for it. But it seems to me that MOST people don’t have passion for anything meaningful. They’re chasing fame and money because…..

And that is where I am confused. Perhaps I would be more ambitious if I had a real reason to desire those things in a more significant way. Maybe if I had a clear path, then I’d spend tireless hours honing my craft. Perhaps if I had a real passion for something, then I’d do it. But when people say that unambitious people are afraid of success. I have no clue of what that means. I have no reference point because as far as I can tell about myself, I am not afraid of success.

I am not lazy and when working with others, I make sure that I am a valuable and contributing member of the team. I keep my home fairly tidy. I work out most days a week (and I work hard) even if I don’t feel like it. I’m in pretty good shape, but I have no clue as to the real reason WHY I do it. It just makes me feel better about myself and it became habitual. I go to work every day and I’m usually fairly productive. But the point is that I do what needs to be done so I don’t think that I’m lazy.

Sometimes I wonder if most people are just caught up in some sort of mass psychosis where they feel like they have work to make more money to go to the next level to get more things. It’s like they’re under a spell which causes them to lust for more and more. Like, I really don’t the material worship and hustle culture that seems to have enchanted the masses. It feels disengenous as a lot of people who buy into this do things to make the money first, then IF it somehow contributes to society, it’s usually an unintended byproduct of their ‘hustle’ mentality.

I respect people more who actually make a difference first….bring value, then get rich off of that. Or if they are actually passionate about something, work at it, and then bring in the money as a result. But it seems that most people are more interested in making a quick buck and calling it ambition. I know too many people with clothing lines (they print T-Shirts) who would consider themselves ambitious. Again, I must stress that there is nothing wrong with having a side hustle. But I don’t see how selling T-shirts in an already oversaturated market makes one more attractive or desirable. People who fall for the old multi level marketing scams could also fall into this category. They are the worst if you ask me. I’ve gotten caught up in it and it’s disgusting how the top level people dangle these promises of ‘generational wealth’ and ‘luxury living’ onto people who buy into it. Most of the time, these products are inferior or average at best….nothing world changing about them…..yet these underlings buy into it hook, line, and sinker….as if the zeal for selling the business (usually not even the products) makes them feel like they’re better than others who don’t share that passion.

Statistically I’d imagine that less than .01% of people will be remembered after 2 generations after their death. It’s great to pass down money to your kids and all so they don’t have struggle so much for money, but let’s face it, you never know how your kids are going to turn out….and if they don’t have to struggle for anything in life, it’s likely they’ll turn out like me anyway.

Personally, I think that passion is more attractive than ambition. Greed and an unsatiable appetite for more and more are actually turn offs for me. I’m in the minority on this, but I’d rather live on a middle class budget with someone who is actually passionate about something than someone who hustles 80 hours a week just to bring in money in order to feel like they are better than others. This ‘get the bag’ / unfocused “hustle culture” seems toxic to me. It seems shallow and sheepish. It’s like most do it because they are following the crowd. It’s like they live in a fearful or ‘lack of abundance’ mindset. I really don’t get what is so appealing about it.

But maybe I am missing something. Maybe it’s not the world. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m really missing something here. I’ve been asking around hoping that someone would give me some satisfactory answer as to why it’s important to them. I usually get the buzz word answers like, “I want to leave a legacy”, or “it’s because we should always strive for more.”….. The most useful answer I got as to why people find it so attractive so far is because…. “ya know, it’s all the things that come along with it. Ambitious people have a certain way about themselves.” I guess, but it still seems like greed and a lust for admiration to me.

Given that so many people feel this way, I really wonder if something is wrong with me though. I’ll keep asking around and maybe something will click. And maybe I’ll finally understand. But as of now, I just don’t get it.